powerHouse Books and KRS ONE announce the creation of I Am Hip Hop, a new imprint launching in Spring 2009. I Am Hip Hop shall serve as a home for cutting-edge, positive material related to the true culture and philosophies of Hip Hop. Dedicated to publishing high-quality books ranging from serious philosophical treatises to urban photography projects or engaging fictional novels, this imprint will release material personally chosen and overseen by Hip Hop legend, KRS ONE.

The Gospel of Hip Hop, the first book from the I Am Hip Hop imprint set for release in Spring 2009, is the philosophical masterwork KRS ONE. Set in the format of the Christian Bible, this 600+ page opus is a manual to life for members of Hip Hop Kulture that combines classic philosophy with religious faith and practical knowledge for a fascinating, in-depth exploration of Hip Hop as a life-path. Now known as “The Teacha,� KRS ONE developed his unique outlook as a homeless teen in Brooklyn, New York, engaging his philosophy of self-creation to become one of the most respected emcees in Hip Hop history. Respected as Hip Hop’s true steward, KRS ONE painstakingly details the development of the culture and the ways in which we, as Hiphoppas, can and should preserve its future.

This looks like it’s going to be a great series of books and I’m looking forward to the release in Spring 09!

Maria Limberis aka M.A.F.I.A. has been involved in Hip Hop culture for over 25 years. For over 10 of those years, she’s been spinning a diverse selection of music ranging from ‘90s Hip Hop and Electro to Baltimore and Hyphy. Along side spinning, Mafia hosts, and runs her own nights, making her deserving of the title “Australia’s Hardest Working Lady DJ!�? as well as, Melbourne’s “go-to�? DJ to get the party started! Aside from hosting, Mafia has been on-stage support for Dizzie Rascal, Cool Kids, Girl Talk, CSS, and A-Trak, just to name a few.

Mafia is the only female to work for Sneaker Freaker Magazine and brings her own flare to the magazine and site which includes doing all the New Release sneaker reviews, interviewing anyone and everyone making waves in street culture, updating the website daily with Newsflashes and bringing new brands and people who are on the come up to worldwide recognition with interviews, reviews and stories on everything encompassing sneaker culture.

Mafia does anything and everything at SNKFRKR HQ to make sure the best sneaker magazine in the world stays at the top of the cultures go-to site and magazine for only the best in sneakers and fashion. She takes aNYthing’s motto of “Never Not Working” into account, and is online at least 14 hours a day, hustling, researching and immersing herself in a culture she has grown up on.

Mafia’s got a few videos to share after the jump, including one where she gives a breakdown of sneaker head terms. We also re-link you to a free Mafia mix we posted about a few weeks back. Jump!

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M.I.S.S. Crew and Sneaker Freaker’s very own M.A.F.I.A. has just released a mixtape called “Celeb Life on the DJ List.” The set includes everything from M.I.A., KRS One, ODB, Pharoah Monch and NKOTB. Yes, the NKOTB. M.A.F.I.A. definitely knows how to have fun and mix it up. Download the mix here.

View the Tracklist after the jump . . .
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