Search results for ""Author Charles L. Hughes""

In 1989 the Geto Boys released a blistering track, “Size Ain’t Shit,” that paid tribute to the group’s member Bushwick Bill. Born with dwarfism, Bill was one of the few visibly disabled musicians to achieve widespread fame and one of the even fewer to address disability in a direct, sustained manner. Initially hired as a dancer, Bill became central to the Geto Boys as the Houston crew became one of hip-hop’s most important groups.Why Bushwick Bill Matters chronicles this crucial artist and explores what he reveals about the relationships among race, sex, and disability in pop music. Charles L. Hughes examines Bill's recordings and videos (both with the Geto Boys and solo), from the horror-comic persona of “Chuckie” to vulnerable verses in songs such as “Mind Playing Tricks On Me,” to discuss his portrayals of dwarfism, addiction, and mental illness. Hughes also explores Bill’s importance to his era and to the longer history of disability in music. A complex figure, Bill exposed the truths of a racist and ableist society even as his violent and provocative lyrics put him in the middle of debates over censorship and misogyny. Confrontational and controversial, Bushwick Bill left a massive legacy as he rhymed and swaggered through an often-inaccessible world.

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Fiber artists honor Elvis Presley in a collection that is as unique as the King of Rock and Roll himself. The art quilts celebrate his songs, movies, and life in an inspired and creative group of 95 works. Enjoy a wide range of interpretations, from realistic to humorous to abstract. Quilts are accompanied by a mix of memories of Elvis, descriptions of the making of these art quilts, and details about the King, creating a one-of-a-kind treasury for Elvis fans and collectors. As a bonus, Elvis devotees are challenged to test their knowledge in a Name-This-Song visual guessing game.

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