A Cappella Books presents Grandmaster Flash in conversation with Frank Ski at The Tara - Birth of a Culture Book Talk & Wild Style Screening
Step into the vibrant streets of the 1970s Bronx and witness the exact moment a global movement began.
A Cappella Books welcomes hip-hop pioneer and cultural icon Grandmaster Flash to Atlanta's historical Tara Theatre to celebrate the release of his new book "Birth of a Culture.” Flash will appear in conversation with radio and television personality Frank Ski.
Following the conversation, The Tara will host a screening of Charlie Ahearn’s 1982 film “Wild Style," featuring appearances by seminal figures such as Adam Horowitz, Fab Five Freddy, Lee Quiñones, Lady Pink, The Rock Steady Crew, The Cold Crush Brothers, Rammellzee and Grandmaster Flash. Flash will introduce the film.
A note on the THREE types of tickets available for this event:
Book Talk Ticket:
Includes a signed hardcover edition of "Birth of a Culture" and admission for the 7 PM book talk and signing. ($29.99 PLUS TAX)
Book Talk and Movie Ticket:
Includes a signed hardcover edition of "Birth of a Culture,” admission for the 7 PM book talk and signing, and the 8:30 PM screening of “Wild Style." ($46.48 PLUS TAX)
Movie Ticket:
Admission to the 8:30 PM screening of “Wild Style." ($16.49 PLUS TAX)
*Hit the 7 PM Showtime option on the ticketing page to select your ticket.
About the Book
“Birth of a Culture” gives you a front-row seat to the origins of hip-hop, told through the firsthand experiences of Grandmaster Flash—one of the founding pioneers who helped build the culture from the ground up.
When you read this book, you feel the pulse of the neighborhood parks, hear the scratch of the vinyl, and experience the raw energy of a community turning its daily struggles into a revolutionary art form. This is not just a collection of dates and facts. It is a deeply personal narrative written by Grandmaster Flash and coauthor Robert “Scoop” Jackson that brings you into the rooms and onto the streets where music changed forever.
What you will discover inside:
-An Authentic Pioneer Perspective: Read a personal narrative from the mind of Grandmaster Flash, complete with untold stories of the earliest park jams and legendary club nights.
-The Blueprint of a Movement: Understand exactly how DJing, MCing, break dancers, and graffiti artists merged to form the core pillars of a massive cultural shift.
-Untold History Revealed: Uncover the real stories behind the evolution of hip-hop and culture.
-Timeless Cultural Relevance: Explore how the innovation born in the Bronx directly influences the music, art, and social movements you interact with every day.
This book cuts through the myths to deliver an authentic, chronological history—bringing you alongside Grandmaster Flash as he invents the groundbreaking Quik Mix Theory and helps transform a landscape of social unrest into a global movement. With turntables and microphones, the young innovator sparked a cultural explosion that quickly swept the world.
More than a timeline of musical milestones, “Birth of a Culture” explores the profound power of community, resilience, and unapologetic creativity. The challenges and triumphs detailed within these pages mirror the social issues we still face, proving that music remains our most vital tool for connection and change.
Whether you are a lifelong hip-hop fan, a dedicated music historian, or simply someone who loves powerful stories of cultural triumph, this book belongs on your shelf. Once you’ve read “Birth of a Culture,” you can say you know the undeniable heartbeat of hip-hop's true origins.
About the Author
Grandmaster Flash, born Joseph Saddler on January 1, 1957, is recognized as one of Hip Hop’s architects and builders of the culture, the first DJ to make the turntable a musical instrument by the way of his Quik Mix Theory formula and homed devices.
Grandmaster Flash’s technical innovations and artistic contributions have earned him numerous accolades. His impact on the music industry extends beyond his own successful career, as his innovative formula and sounds were translated to sound producing technologies and have inspired generations of DJs, producers and hip-hop artists to push the boundaries of creativity.
About the Conversation Partner
Frank Ski is an award-winning radio and television personality, disc jockey, motivational speaker, journalist, and philanthropist who has hosted the nationally syndicated radio show, "The Frank Ski Show," for the past three decades. Dubbed the “Rainmaker of Urban Radio” for his impressive ratings and ability to connect with an audience, he leaves a footprint of excellence wherever he goes. Atlanta’s V103FM and KISS 104.1, WHUR 96.3FM in Washington DC, and Baltimore's V103 and 92Q have all experienced record-breaking Arbitron ratings during his broadcast daypart.
About the Film
Universally hailed as the first hip-hop movie, "Wild Style" captures New York's hip-hop culture circa 1981 and several prominent figures including Busy Bee Starski; Fab 5 Freddy; the Cold Crush Brothers; and one of the godfathers of hip-hop, Grandmaster Flash. A movie whose influence cannot be underestimated and hailed as the most inspirational hip-hop of movie of all time, "Wild Style" immortalizes the birth of the underground hip-hop scene about to explode around the world, changing the face of music, fashion, art, and a way of life forever. Following street artist Zorro (played by legendary subway artist Lee Quiñones) and his crew as they journey through the streets, projects, and train yards of New York, keeping one step ahead of the cops and their rivals, the film climaxes in one of the most famous hip-hop concerts in history. Featuring the pioneers at the forefront of a cultural revolution including DJs, emcees, and breakers such as Grandmaster Flash, the Chief Rocker Busy Bee, Fab 5 Freddy, the Rock Steady Crew, and the Cold Crush Brothers, "Wild Style" is the greatest hip-hop movie of all time.
