Hip Hop Family Tree is a 2013 Eisner Award-winning series of comic books written and illustrated by Ed Piskor, which documents the early history of hip hop culture. It was a New York Times Graphic Books Best Seller and was listed in The Washington Post Top 10 graphic novels of 2013. It is published by Fantagraphics Books. Piskor's artistic style in creating the images of the Hip Hop Family Tree hearkens back to the comic drawings done at the time of the history that is being retold. Piskor also makes an ode to the drawings of this time with his use of Ben-Day Dots.
In the latest volume of the history of hip-hop told in graphic novel form, we are introduced to characters such as Dr. Dre, Will Smith, Salt-N-Peppa (some of whom were featured in the hit summer movie, Straight Out of Compton), and many more. Book 4 charts the rise of Dr. Dre and Def Jam records, and introduces new branches on the "tree": Will Smith, Salt-N-Pepa, Rakim, and Biz Markie. This volume is also jam-packed with films Hollywood released in an attempt to cash in on the phenomenon, like Breakin’, Breakin’ 2 Electric Boogaloo, Beat Street, Krush Groove and more. Full color illustrations throughout