Velocity Press announces book with 138 hip-hop character illustrations

Egostrip Book 1 comes out this October.

Dan Lish will release a book of hip-hop character illustrations via Velocity Press.

Dropping on October 17, Egostrip Book 1 features 138 illustrations of iconic hip-hop figures including De La Soul, Madlib, Mobb Deep, Nas, Cypress Hill, J Dilla, Kool Keith, MF DOOM, A Tribe Called Quest and The Beastie Boys.

Born from commute-time drawings in Lish’s sketchbook, Egostrip Book 1 was created with a black fibre tip ink pen before being digitally coloured. This will be the first time the collection is available outside of Lish’s own store.

“As an M.C. I was always trying to implement what I learned in the High School Of Art & Design into my music career. In this specific case, it was the specific style of cross-hatching in which we used for shading in my commercial arts class,” comments American rapper Pharoahe Monch. “It only stands to reason that when I first encountered the amazing artwork of Dan Lish that my mind exploded”.

“How ironic that an artist who obviously had a love for the culture would also implement the things I’d come to know in love. Cross-hatching and hip hop. Upon seeing his work, Dan immediately skyrocketed to the top of my all-time favourite artists. From his LP covers to his broad appreciation for the music, Dan Lish is the gold standard”.

Egostrip Book 1 will be a 160-page book, bound on heavyweight 130gsm paper with a hardback cover. The book is available to pre-order now.