Jeremy C. McCool & Earl Hopkins — Raps of Resistance: How Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole Reignited a Hip-Hop Tradition - with Trinity Kinslow — at Union Market
Jeremy C. McCool and Earl Hopkins, joined by moderator Trinity Kinslow, present a discussion of their book *Raps of Resistance: How Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole Reignited a Hip-Hop Tradition* at Politics and Prose at Union Market. The event, held in partnership with Byrdland Records, explores how Lamar and Cole revived socially conscious rap after the subgenre had faded from mainstream prominence. McCool, an associate professor and cultural critic, and Hopkins, an arts and culture reporter and hip‑hop historian, trace the lyrical, political, and personal dimensions that distinguish the two artists, treating topics such as addiction, poverty, systemic racism, and domestic violence. The conversation will be followed by a pop‑up vinyl sale with a curated selection of records by J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar. Admission is free and seating is first come, first served.
When: Saturday, July 18, 2026.
Time: 6:00 PM.
Venue: Politics and Prose at Union Market, 1324 4th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002.
Tickets: Free; no ticket required. Seating is first come, first served.
Lineup: Jeremy C. McCool (co‑author, Associate Professor of Digital/Global Media at West Chester University, cultural critic); Earl Hopkins (co‑author, arts and culture reporter for *The Philadelphia Inquirer*, hip‑hop critic and historian); Trinity Kinslow (moderator, News Associate at CNN, founder of Notoriety Creative Agency, Student Emmy & NABJ Award winner).
Run time: Not specified on the page.
Ages: Not specified; likely all ages welcome.
Note: A pop‑up vinyl sale will take place during the event, featuring records by J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar for purchase. The event is presented in partnership with Byrdland Records, the sister store to Songbyrd Music House. To request accessibility accommodations, email events@politics-prose.com ideally one week in advance; the venue will try to accommodate all requests up to the event time.