“We Dressed To Sweat”: Read An Exclusive Excerpt From The New Book About The History Of Baltimore Club Music

Stereogum contributor Al Shipley has written his first book, Tough Breaks: The Story of Baltimore Club Music, which will be published by Repeater Books on Aug. 19. Incorporating over 50 interviews conducted over the last 19 years, the book examines how Maryland’s biggest city became a hotbed for a unique fusion of house music and hip hop that’s influenced and been sampled by mainstream stars like Cardi B, Drake, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and M.I.A.