They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us
What's it about
Ever wonder how music can be a lifeline in a world filled with grief and injustice? Discover how the songs you love are intertwined with the urgent conversations about race, culture, and survival in America, offering a powerful lens through which to see your own life and community. This collection of essays unpacks the profound connections between music, from Carly Rae Jepsen to Chance the Rapper, and pivotal cultural moments. You'll learn to see performance not just as entertainment, but as a vital act of defiance, hope, and resilience against a backdrop of struggle.
Meet the author
Hanif Abdurraqib is a MacArthur "Genius Grant" recipient, poet, and cultural critic whose work masterfully intertwines music, race, and personal history to explore the American experience. Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, he found solace and understanding in music, from punk rock to hip-hop. This lifelong passion for how music soundtracks our lives and shapes our identities fuels his uniquely observant and deeply empathetic essays, making him one of his generation’s most essential voices.
What's it about
Ever wonder how music can be a lifeline in a world filled with grief and injustice? Discover how the songs you love are intertwined with the urgent conversations about race, culture, and survival in America, offering a powerful lens through which to see your own life and community. This collection of essays unpacks the profound connections between music, from Carly Rae Jepsen to Chance the Rapper, and pivotal cultural moments. You'll learn to see performance not just as entertainment, but as a vital act of defiance, hope, and resilience against a backdrop of struggle.
Meet the author
Hanif Abdurraqib is a MacArthur "Genius Grant" recipient, poet, and cultural critic whose work masterfully intertwines music, race, and personal history to explore the American experience. Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, he found solace and understanding in music, from punk rock to hip-hop. This lifelong passion for how music soundtracks our lives and shapes our identities fuels his uniquely observant and deeply empathetic essays, making him one of his generation’s most essential voices.
The Script
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