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About
Even readers unfamiliar with The Last Poets' historic significance as building blocks of the hip-hop and rap movement, will instantly find this novel a compelling read.
The Last Poets were self-proclaimed prophets of 'hope and change'. The band was formed in 1968 against an incendiary backdrop of the black power movement and murders of Martin Luther King, Kennedy and Malcolm X. Today their socio-political lyrics have a renewed sense of urgency, rallying loud and clear against the fear-based politics of the Trump-era.
Christine Otten spent three months travelling across the United States interviewing members of The Last Poets, their families, friends, and musicians. She describes their impoverished childhoods, their love lives, successes and failures in this beautifully written, sensuously swinging, biopic-style novel.
The Last Poets were self-proclaimed prophets of 'hope and change'. The band was formed in 1968 against an incendiary backdrop of the black power movement and murders of Martin Luther King, Kennedy and Malcolm X. Today their socio-political lyrics have a renewed sense of urgency, rallying loud and clear against the fear-based politics of the Trump-era.
Christine Otten spent three months travelling across the United States interviewing members of The Last Poets, their families, friends, and musicians. She describes their impoverished childhoods, their love lives, successes and failures in this beautifully written, sensuously swinging, biopic-style novel.
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Reviews
"The Last Poets' fierce performance poetry inspired generations of musicians, even as they destroyed themselves. Now they're back - and as relevant as ever."
The Guardian
"Otten's book is more than just a straight-forward novel. It charts the complex past of one of the most exciting and influential acts in the history of music."
The Wee Review, Edinburgh Intl' Book Festival
"One could really feel that Otten's presence was appreciated in the tight-knit world of the Last Poets, that she'd done a good job penetrating the egos, bringing out the humanity & telling 'a decent story.'"
Mumble Words, Edinburgh