Bestsellers

In Praise of Black Performance A celebration of Black culture beyond the white gaze, from the "MacArthur genius" who has been dubbed 'the most important cultural critic in America right...

How Kendrick Lamar Ignited the Soul of Black America 'Essential reading' Rolling Stone 'A must read. The best bit of literature currently out there on Kendrick Lamar' VICE Kendrick Lamar...

The Twelve Strangest Women in Music Raucous, sensual and sublime — how twelve pioneering female artists rewrote the rules of pop. From Kate Bush to Nicki Minaj, from Janet Jackson...

A comprehensive and celebratory journey through the history of popular music, from the former New York Times music critic.From his allegiance to punk rock in his adolescence to becoming an...

These Black notes may land in silence or a tone, a sound,a pitch, a record, or an observation made with care; thesenotes might just reach you across distance, time andspace,...

SUNDAY TIMES MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 MOJO BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 A ROUGH TRADE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 AN UNCUT BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 A VARIETY MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEAR...

Uncovers histories of Black soul-folk artists who, like the genre they perform, have largely been left out of folk music narratives. Folk music of the 1960s and 1970s was a...

Dispatches from Bollywood, Dizi, and K-Pop There is a vast cultural movement emerging from beyond the Western world. Truly global in its range and allure, it is the biggest challenge...

The dramatic story of a musician and artist whose unconventional journey to international success was far more important than her family name. Growing up in the shadow of her superstar...

A chance sighting on a bus; a letter which should never have been read; a pianist with a secret that touches the heart of her music... AN EQUAL MUSIC is...

Bestselling author and Sundance award-winning director Questlove offers a thrilling, music-driven ride through the last fifty years of American history. In Music Is History, bestselling author and Sundance award-winning director...

100% That Book You NeedA celebration of Lizzo’s love and light. We all want a bit more Lizzo in our lives! A global superstar who has become a beacon of...

Life, Death and Hip HopRap pioneer, ARIA-winner, radio presenter, taste-maker, producer, label-owner, mentor — Hau Latukefu recounts his journey from Queanbeyan, aka 'Struggle Town', to the top of Australian hip...

The question of control for Black women is a costly one. From 1986 onwards, the trajectory of Janet Jackson's career can be summed up in her desire for control. Control...

A memoir of loving hard, falling apart and fighting back, set to an unrivalled playlist.‘Hip hop and hymns — the two would always go hand in hand for me. My...

A rousing exploration of the blues and jazz music that formed much of American popular music culture, penned by the iconic Beat writer and critic. In this essential and impassioned...

An Improvisation on Indian MusicBy turns essay, memoir and cultural study, Finding the Raga is Amit Chaudhuri's singular account of his discovery of, and enduring passion for, North Indian music:...

A queen of punk before her time. A duo on the brink of stardom. A night that will define their story for ever. Opal is a fiercely independent young woman...

Hailed by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the greatest rock memoirs of all time, Be My Baby is the true story of how Rock & Roll Hall of Famer...

Translated by Daniel Hahn An exhilarating debut novel told through three different voices, Whites Can Dance Too is Kalaf Epalanga's reflection on and celebration of the music of his homeland,...

This is a story of belonging and not belonging, of not knowing if you exist and making sure that you do. This story is for ancestors and descendants, for the...

Shortlisted for the Women’s Prize 2023  In a scorching story of music, passion and self-discovery, love will set Yamaye free... It's time to dance, to love, to be free...'Mesmerising' BERNARDINE EVARISTO,...

A beautiful illustrated memoir from beloved Australian musician Kate Ceberano, featuring her inspirational song lyrics, stories, paintings and embroidery, and celebrating four decades of songwriting and recording on the release...

Reflections on the Songs of Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter Curated and introduced by two-time Miles Franklin winner, Noongar man Kim Scott, this special volume brings together 23 First Nations...

The definitive biography of MF DOOM, charting the reclusive and revered hip-hop artist's life, career, and eventual immortality. Packed with behind-the-scenes content, for fans of hip-hop biographies like Dilla Time....

An impassioned defence of Black excellence in the arts. What does it mean – and how does it feel – to grow up as a Black artist today? When Kadiatu...

A collection of essays on archiving the history of hip-hop, featuring a range of official, unofficial, DIY, and community archives. Despite the vast popularity and cultural influence of hip-hop, efforts...

The incredible first memoir by System Of A Down frontman Serj Tankian With nearly 40 million record sales, three albums topping the Billboard charts, a Grammy win and a legion...

Searching for the Real James Brown A Guardian best music book of 2016 The music of James Brown was almost a genre in its own right, and he was one...

A New Yorker Best Book of the Year . “Moving and beautifully written.” ―BBC Music Magazine    “Hotta is an unobtrusive narrator whose personal anecdotes are like grace notes on the larger...

The debut work of non-fiction by award-winning slam poet Vanessa Kisuule, this is a love letter to the musicians we adore and an unflinching look at the costs of hero...

This companion novel to Abigail Hing Wen’s New York Times bestselling debut Loveboat, Taipei and Loveboat Reunion will reunite readers with their favourite characters, in a glamorous and thrilling new journey of romance, self-discovery and empowerment. Perfect...

A Book About De La Soul The first book about De La Soul, High and Rising is a stunning cultural biography of the era-defining hip-hop trio that touched millions of...

A deeply personal and powerful memoir from beloved music icon Neneh Cherry'Neneh is cool, Neneh is wise, Neneh is a legend. Her memoir is a treasure. I loved it.' ZADIE SMITH*A...

The first and only estate-authorised biography of the legendary rapper and an essential reevaluation of his legacy, fully illustrated with mementos, clothing, handwritten poetry, lyrics, musings and more.There are legends,...

'Questlove radiates passion, knowledge, wit and profundity as he reflects on this ever-evolving art form' GUARDIAN For a young Black kid growing up in a musical family in 1970s Philadelphia, hip-hop...

Lessons in Cut-Throat Capitalism from Rap’s Moguls Hip Hop is rewriting the rules of business; The Hip Hop MBA takes you on a guided tour of just how and what...

Stories and Hard-Earned Advice from a Creator in the Digital Age USA TODAY Bestseller YouTube sensation Andrew Huang offers practical tips and hard-won advice for creatives seeking financial stability while...

A unique collaborative publication which documents the lyrics written by Nobel Prize winning author Kazuo Ishiguro for the platinum selling, Grammy nominated, Jazz singer Stacey Kent. Memorably introduced by Ishiguro...

'Singer, composer, musician . . . Renaissance Woman of contemporary music.’ - The Observer I am a composer. A composer of classical music. Quite honestly I am not quite sure how...

Step into a world where the brightest creative minds of contemporary musical theatre share their insights and inspirations. Conversations in Color unveils the untold stories and perspectives of remarkable artists...

‘Poetry was my place, my little clearing in the forest, where I could quietly put everything I was holding. I’m not sure what gave me the courage to open up...

In honor of Bob Marley's 75th birthday and the 40th anniversary of "Redemption Song," a powerful tribute that allows longtime fans, and budding activists looking for exemplary heroes in a...

The most talented musical family in the world. For the first time, mother Kadie Kanneh-Mason shares her unique story. Seven brothers and sisters. All of them classically trained musicians. One...

‘Chip told us not to go out. Said, don't you boys tempt the devil. But it been one brawl of a night, I tell you.’ The aftermath of the fall...

Biggie and the World That Made Him The Notorious B.I.G. was one of the most charismatic and talented artists of the 1990s. Born Christopher Wallace and raised in Clinton Hill/Bed...

Voyager's Golden Record and Music from EarthAn examination of NASA's Golden Record that offers new perspectives and theories on how music can be analysed, listened to, and thought about —...

A Rap Story Before Talib Kweli became a world-renowned hip-hop artist, he was a Brooklyn kid who liked to cut class, spit rhymes, and wander the streets of Greenwich Village...

A radical, literary and intimate insight into one of the twentieth century's most vital vocalists.A PITCHFORK MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEARIn the '60s and '70s, America's music scene was marked...

Two long-time friends share an intimate and urgent conversation about life, music and their enduring love of America, with all its challenges and contradictions, in this stunningly-produced expansion of their...