They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us

This book resonated deeply within me because, just like the author, I have always relied upon music to drive my emotions. Music played an integral role in shaping my life, especially during times of tremendous grief. This was especially true during the devastating death of a dear friend during my teenage years who succumbed to his demons and the quiet void left by my father’s passing. Each loss felt like a piece of my soul was gone. Music helped me grapple with my mortality.

Being let go from my corporate job was another brutal grief-ridden separation because it felt as… show more.

The unexpected cover art was just the beginning of the odyssey that is this book. Abdurraquib masterfully explores the intersection of civics and pop culture, weaving personal history with modern-day ethics, all to a soundtrack that is both memorable and urgent.

This is the sort of book that unlocks a hidden door to our collective compassion. One of the best things I’ve ever read. 

I love and will read anything by Abdurraqib.

His writing is so insightful and poetic which is just another way that his prose transports us closer to the music that is often his subject matter.

As a classical musician, I have so many gaps in my knowledge of popular music and I consider that a blessing now because I get to learn what I missed through his writing and experiences. These essays are diverse, covering everything from a Bruce Springsteen concert to Carly Rae Jepsen to being Black in America.

He has a true gift for making anything and everything… show more.

An amazing example of how music can solidify personal experience and growth, this essay collection is fueled by stunning writing and a nuanced dissection of culture and our places within it. Never heavy-handed, They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us invites readers to revisit the cultural touchstones of their lives and find new entryways into memory and how it shapes our lives.