“Apparently,” it continues, “I’m second-generation black Caribbean. Like so much of his work, the song Find No Enemy blends his life in the struggle of poverty, race, class and violence, with the search for answers. “First time I saw knives penetrate flesh, it was meat cleavers to the back of the head,” the north London rapper remembers of his childhood. UK: US: The book is available here or below.In 2010, UK rap artist Akala dropped the album DoubleThink, and with it, some unforgettable words. Natives expertly navigates both topics simultaneously unapologetically and seamlessly tackles issues such as Media (Linford’s Lunchbox), education, white saviour and his experiences of growing up with his white mother.ĭon’t forget to check out my influencer pages for even more great resources.

The book is called ‘Natives – Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire’ When talking about oppression, distraction is often used to negate from either or both arguments. I would be remiss here is I did not include a warning, Akala writes a chapter on education which I would urge every person of colour to read but read with caution… Click To Tweet I would be remiss here is I did not include a warning, Akala writes a chapter on education which I would urge every person of colour to read but read with caution the content is not only relative to many of us but so is the damage.

I found myself nodded a lot when I read this book and relating to much of the contents. Akala expertly interweaves narratives from his lived-in experience of living as a ‘mulatto’ (self-ascribed) in the UK. At times you could say an argumentative rant, but this is told through an academic lens. Akala expertly interweaves narratives from his lived-in experience Click To Tweet It difficult some times keep calm even if you know what time it is. I have often been described as aggressive, where I have seen my counterparts behaving in more pronounced fashions as being describes as passionate. However, for me, his calm presence with the spoken word has always moved me. His is described as a successful rapper, journalist, author, activist and poet according to Wikipedia. Akala grew up in north London during the 80s and the 90s and probably us with a narrative which spans a uniquely British experience.

Natives by Akala