The only thing I’ve ever been in love with is music, art, and the beauty of expression within those spaces. I imagine that falling in love for a second time must be akin to how I felt while reading this. If every non-fiction book held this level of careful observation, vulnerability, and honesty, I might spend more time reading the genre. But frankly, I think this is something only Hanif Abdurraqib can do effortlessly. 

Were it not for black art, entertainment, and performance, an RnB singer-songwriter like myself is never born. My appreciation for black singers/musicians run deep and it’s rare to come across critics (and people) that share the same sentiment while also having the ability to provide constructive criticism, detailed feedback, or high praise. 

It’s never just about the music, it’s never just about the art. It’s also about what it makes you feel, what it makes you consider, or envision after you’ve witnessed it. True art lovers know this, but few are able to articulate why. Hanif shares his own history while praising black performance throughout history. What better way to show that art you have consumed is part of or has shaped you in someway?

I don’t just consume art, I consider the various ways it is speaking to me. Art is a powerful tool that can help us engage with the world around us. A Little Devil America exceeds in doing that and more.