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Author: Poet, George the

The arts: general issues

Published on 25 April 2024 by Hodder & Stoughton in the United Kingdom.

Hardback | 288 pages
143 x 223 x 29 | 410g

**Out now: The ground-breaking memoir by acclaimed rapper and podcast host, George the Poet***WINNER OF THE PEABODY AWARD*’Mpanga’s book goes on to paint a picture of contemporary Black life as inextricable from history.’ Guardian’Full of conviction and integrity’ Observer ‘Track Record is a mighty powerful and arresting read.’ Buzz Magazine ‘Our music is the ghost of our freedom and, as anybody who’s ever lost someone will tell you, a ghost can sometimes be the one thing keeping you going. ‘Born to Ugandan parents on the St Raphael’s Estate in Neasden, north-west London, George has always been an ambitious storyteller. Influenced by his hometown, George started MCing , and eventually found his voice in poetry and with it an avenue for change.

Track Record: Me, Music, and the War on Blackness sheds light on George’s upbringing and artistic career. He looks back at his education, his time at university, and his beginnings as a musician. We are given an insight into the forces that have shaped him and the stories he chooses to tell. As with George’s other work, Track Record goes beyond the traditional memoir and takes the reader on a journey throughout history. George dives deep into the complexities of the economy and interrogates the legacy of colonialism. He reflects on music and its power as a political force – how it can be a catalyst for social power and economic change. By weaving a story that is both personal and political, George delivers an incredibly powerful and unique perspective on the world around us. Honest, thought-provoking and lyrical, Track Record is a fascinating insight by an inimitable storyteller.

Praise for George the PoetThere’s something special about it: the storytelling is unique, so exciting, so kinetic. Even though it’s in your ears, you feel like you’re walking along with George.’ — Candice Carty-Williams'[George’s podcast] blows through the medium’s newly established boundaries, offering an experience as innovative as it is undefinable.’ — New Yorker’A genre-defying piece of audio that pushes the limits of what a podcast can be.’ — New York Times’There can’t be many people out there who don’t think George the Poet is a bit of a genius.’ — Guardian