The holidays are the perfect time to celebrate creativity and passion. At [rhyme and reason], we’re all about gifts that inspire young minds to explore music, literacy, and self-expression. This Hip-hop gift guide is packed with thoughtful ideas to excite the aspiring rapper, poet, or producer in your life.
This post contains affiliate links to bookshop.org, which supports the blog, as well as independent bookstores near you.
For the Future MC: Write it Out
Greer Chicago's Mnemosyne notebook, named for the Greek goddess of memory. The brand's planners are also a great choice!
Book Pairing: The Best Short Stories by Black Writers: 1899 – 1967. Edited by Langston Hughes himself, the selected stories include works by Zora Neale Hurston and James Baldwin.
Extra Touch: Include colorful gel pens to make their lyric writing more creative.
For the Bookworm with Bars: Hip Hop Storybooks and Novels
Younger Readers:
When the Beat Was Born by Laban Carrick Hill – The origin of DJ Kool Herc and how hip hop started in the Bronx.
Hip Hop Speaks to Children edited by Nikki Giovanni – Poems and songs that resonate with young minds, featuring an audio CD.
Teens:
Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam – A novel-in-verse that’s powerful and socially relevant.
Solo by Kwame Alexander and Mary Rand Hess – A lyrical novel about identity and love for music.
Older Readers:
Decoded by Jay-Z – A deep dive into Jay-Z’s lyrics and philosophy of life.
For the Artist: Wearable Expression
Peace Collective Clothing – Stylish and meaningful streetwear that supports mental health research and Save the Children. The Peanuts collection is a personal favorite!
Telfar Bags – Versatile and fashionable accessories.
Gift a voucher for a custom pair of shoes they can design themselves.
For the Culturally Curious: Hip Hop History Essentials
Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip Hop Generation by Jeff Chang – A must-read for understanding hip hop’s origins and its impact on culture.
Contact High: A Visual History of Hip Hop by Vikki Tobak – A stunning photography book showcasing iconic hip hop moments.
Hip-Hop (and Other Things) by Shea Serrano – Celebrating Hip-hop and its disciples with infographics, jokes, and footnotes. Its foreword is by Bun B, a partnering artist with Reading with a Rapper. Serrano is also the creator of The Rap Year Book.
For the Music Enthusiast: Beat Makers and Production Tools
Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII ($89): This compact keyboard is a great intro tool for aspiring producers, allowing them to experiment with beats and melodies.
Novation Launchpad Mini ($99): A portable grid instrument perfect for beat creation.
Bonus: Include a subscription to software like Ableton Live Lite (often free with MIDI controllers).
Bonus: Stocking Stuffers
Coloring Books: Hip Hop Coloring Book by Mark 563 features iconic rappers in a fun, creative format.
Headphones: Sony WH-CH520 Wireless On-Ear Headphones ($38) – Affordable, quality sound for music lovers.
Stickers, shirts, and art: Sites like Redbubble allow you to search for any artist, theme, or fandom merch, while supporting independent artists directly.
UNO cards from The Museum of Graffiti: Eight street artists designed three cards each in this special deck, where even the packaging is a piece of art.
The Museum of Graffiti is located in Miami, Florida. Subscription Gift: Audible for audiobooks or Spotify Premium for music lovers.
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Search for any book you'd like with our affiliate store on bookshop.org!
This holiday season, let your gifts be a reflection of the values hip hop represents—creativity, empowerment, and self-expression. Whether you’re helping someone explore their musical dreams or encouraging their love for stories, these ideas are sure to inspire. Have a go-to gift for young creatives? Let us know in the comments below and help us spread the holiday cheer, hip hop style! - [cayla grace sims, rhyme and reason.]
About [rhyme & reason.]
[rhyme & reason] is a dynamic blog and subsidiary of Educational Entertainment, dedicated to bridging the worlds of conscious hip-hop and literacy. Our mission is to empower youth by promoting reading, critical thinking, and creativity through the lens of hip-hop culture. By highlighting the literary depth of hip-hop lyrics and their sociocultural significance, we aim to inspire young readers to explore literature in new and engaging ways. Whether through thought-provoking blog posts, interactive social media content, or collaborative partnerships with artists and educators, [rhyme & reason] offers a space where music, literature, and social awareness come together to create lasting connections and foster a love for learning. Join us as we celebrate the power of words, beats, and storytelling in shaping the next generation of readers.
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