e laugh when we hear a rapper dissing another rapper with a witty bar or two. (The 50 Cent and Ja Rule beef is the most entertaining rap feud of all time…Jeffrey Atkinnnnnssss.) And I don’t know about you, but the All American Rejects always put a smile on my face with their comical chorus of “Give You Hell.” Oh, and who isn’t glad Eminem is back on the scene making fun of celebrities’ butts?

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Given all these instances in which lyrics can make us laugh, do we really understand how much the humor of these artists’ music plays into a cultural scope?

If you don’t, give Rebels Wit Attitude: Subversive Rock Humorists a look through. Iain Ellis, a music writer and professor, penned this tome as an exploration into the history of rock music humor as a weapon of anti-establishment rebellion.

Ranging artists, from Bob Dylan to Missy Elliot, and time periods (from the 50s to the “Naughties,” or the postmodern era), Ellis draws on actual events and people to show the effects that subversive humor had on generations of fans. He delves not only into their lyrics, but the artists as a whole, including image and style. Britney’s bald head? That was a joke, right?

With Ellis’ in-depth analysis, you’ll learn a thing or two about famous names you’ve heard before, but had no idea they were music trailblazers or artists you thought you knew, but now can appreciate a lot more.

Ellis was born in Manchester and “spent his formative years playing, performing, and consuming a heavy (if not healthy) diet of punk rock music.” He currently teaches English and Youth Culture Studies at the University of Kansas and is part of a Britpop band, piss artists. Ellis is also a columnist for PopMatters.com, so you read his column and diatribes on music artists and their humor regularly

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By Jan F. Lee Shy Magazine Staff Writer/Journalist