The Book of Luke: My Fight for Truth, Justice, and Liberty City

Campbell, the rich and rude businessman and founder of "Dirty Rap," presents himself as an unlikely achiever of the American dream. Raised in Miami's infamous Liberty City, Campbell used his West Indian work ethic to soar above a string of odd jobs, Jim Crow segregation, crime, and poverty to create a raunchy brand of Southern hip-hop as leader of 2 Live Crew. Campbell sees the exodus of high-end entertainment from South Florida to Las Vegas, the influx of rich Cubans rising to key city posts, and the twin plagues of guns and drugs take a lethal toll on the black population. Despite a crowded field of hip-hop bands, he created a winning formula for his rap group, stressing catchy hooks, outrageous blues lyrics, and big-bottomed eye candy. The price of success was police harassment and a much-publicized obscenity trial. After Campbell's fame ebbed, he became a football coach and mentor to at-risk students, a newspaper columnist, and a spokesman for revitalizing Liberty City. Profane yet practical, "Uncle Luke" writes persuasively of making America more tolerant via one funky beat and a Constitutional challenge. (Aug.)