One of my most recent reads is the book, Vibrate Higher: A Rap Story, by Talib Kweli. If you're not familiar with Talib Kweli, he is a legendary hip-hop artist and host of the podcast, People's Party with Talib Kweli. The book is a memoir that documents Kweli's upbringing and career as an MC. The concept of "vibrating higher" is a theme that pervades throughout the book. It's all about being the best version of yourself, and recognizing the people, things, and environments that allow you to do that. In the book, Kweli traces his success back to the various people and places that allowed him to live out his career. We learn about his roots and how the New York hip-hop scene provided the training ground for him to develop his craft. He also acknowledges how failures and mistakes have played a critical role into where he is today. While reading, I appreciated the honesty and clarity with which Kweli wrote this book. He provides a great deal of social commentary on issues like gentrification, race, and politics. He talks about how he sees it as his duty to bring knowledge of these issues and the people's struggle into his music. The label of being a "socially conscious" rapper is something that he wears proudly and lives up to. Kweli writes about his experiences participating in the Ferguson protests of 2014 and meeting with President Obama to discuss mass incarceration. He does a great job of providing context and explaining these issues from every angle. Each story that Kweli tells makes you feel as if you were in the room. The book encourages you to reflect on the components of your life that help you vibrate higher. For me, I believe that is God, family, and exploration in regards to knowledge and experiences. I definitely recommend picking up a copy of Vibrate Higher, as it is a memoir that seeks to inform and inspire. Feel free to order using the link below. Thanks for reading!
Vibrate Higher: A Rap Story: Kweli, Talib: 9780374283407: Amazon.com: Books
