"New York Ricans from the Hip Hop Zone" explores the history of hip hop music from the standpoint of the New York Puerto Rican community which has been instrumental in its development. New York Puerto Ricans have been an integral part of hip hop culture since day one - from 1970s pioneers like Rock Steady Crew's Jo Jo, to rap mega stars Big Punisher (R.I.P.) and Angie Martinez. Yet, Puerto Rican participation and contributions to hip hop have often been downplayed and even completely ignored. And when their presence has been acknowledged, it has frequently been misinterpreted as a defection from Puerto Rican culture and identity, into the African American camp. But nothing could be further from the truth. Through hip hop, Puerto Ricans have simply stretched the boundaries of Puerto Ricanness and latinidad. "New York Ricans from the Hip Hop Zone" explores the Puerto Rican dimension of the hip hop realm. The book breaks with the common assumption that, in terms of cultural history and artistic expression, Puerto Ricans share more with "Latinos" than with African Americans.
Using hip hop culture as the focal point, Rivera draws past and present parallels between African Americans and Puerto Ricans by highlighting their shared New York City history and their both being part of the African Diaspora in the Americas.