Go Ahead in the Rain by Hanif Abdurraqib

HANIF ABDURRAQIB: Arun, thank you so much for having me. VENUGOPAL: Abdurraqib is also the author of 'A Fortune For Your Disaster,' a collection of poems, and 'Go Ahead In The Rain: Notes To A Tribe Called Quest,' as well as the essay collection, 'They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us.' He's also host of the podcast 'Object Of Sound' and 'Lost Notes: 1980.' Hanif Abdurraqib, welcome to FRESH AIR. Rape, murder, yeah, it's just a shot away. MERRY CLAYTON: (Singing) Rape, murder, it's just a shot away. VENUGOPAL: And he pays tribute to Merry Clayton, who delivers what is arguably one of the finest vocal performances in rock history as a background singer on the Rolling Stones' 'Gimme Shelter.' (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, 'SPACE IS THE PLACE') Sun Ra was a pivotal figure in the development of Afrofuturism. VENUGOPAL: He revisits the strange and fascinating life of Herman Poole Blount, who, it is said, went to Saturn, met with aliens and transformed into the influential, otherworldly musician Sun Ra. He considers one of the most glorious moments in the long career of Aretha Franklin.ĪRETHA FRANKLIN: (Singing) Amazing, amazing grace. His book, 'A Little Devil In America,' is wide-ranging and explores the effortless cool of Lando Calrissian in 'The Empire Strikes Back' and the participatory pleasure of the Soul Train dance line.

He spoke with FRESH AIR guest interviewer Arun Venugopal, who's a host and senior producer at WNYC in New York.ĪRUN VENUGOPAL, BYLINE: For his latest book, Hanif Abdurraqib wanted to focus on the people and things that bring Black people happiness, even in times of trouble. The book is also a candid self-portrait of Abdurraqib's experience as a Black man. His new book, 'A Little Devil In America: Notes In Praise Of Black Performance,' was described in The New York Times as using the tales of Black performers to make poignant observations about race in America. Our guest is culture critic and poet Hanif Abdurraqib.

Go Ahead in the Rain by Hanif Abdurraqib