They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us

By: Hanif Abdurraqib

Narrated by: Hanif Abdurraqib

*2018 "12 best books to give this holiday season"—TODAY Show

*Best Books of 2018—Rolling Stone

"A Best Book of 2017"—NPR, Buzzfeed, Paste Magazine, Esquire, Chicago Tribune, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, CBC, Stereogum, National Post, Entropy, Heavy, Book Riot, Chicago Review of Books, The Los Angeles Review, Michigan Daily

*American Booksellers Association (ABA) 'December 2017 Indie Next List Great Reads'

*Midwest Indie Bestseller

In an age of confusion, fear, and loss, Hanif Abdurraqib's is a voice that matters. Whether he's attending a Bruce Springsteen concert the day after visiting Michael Brown's grave, or discussing public displays of affection at a Carly Rae Jepsen show, he writes with a poignancy and magnetism that resonates profoundly.

In the wake of the nightclub attacks in Paris, he recalls how he sought refuge as a teenager in music, at shows, and wonders whether the next generation of young Muslims will not be afforded that opportunity now. While discussing the everyday threat to the lives of black Americans, Abdurraqib recounts the first time he was ordered to the ground by police officers: for attempting to enter his own car.

In essays that have been published by the New York Times, MTV, and Pitchfork, among others—along with original, previously unreleased essays—Abdurraqib uses music and culture as a lens through which to view our world so that we might better understand ourselves, and in so doing proves himself a bellwether for our times.

"Funny, painful, precise, desperate, and loving throughout. Not a day has sounded the same since I read him." Greil Marcus

©2022 Hanif Abdurraqib (P)2022 Spotify Audiobooks

Hanif is a national treasure

I first discovered Hanif’s content when I was living in Columbus Ohio and I overheard him giving an interview on our local NPR station discussing the release of this book. I found him to be fascinating and immediately purchased this book at famed “Book loft of German Village” in town. While I enjoyed reading the physical copy and I love the cover that adds something special to my book shelf, I particularly like his narration of They Can’t Kill Us here on audible. Hearing it in his voice makes it so much more real and moving to me. His essays about his experiences of being a lapsed Muslim who enjoys the music of western culture in a post 9/11 particularly resonate with me as someone who grew up very religious and still find some comfort in it despite not being religious at all as an adult who also enjoys popular music. I sometimes fall asleep to this audio rendition not because I’m bored, but that his delivery of these essays is so calming yet so animated. I hope the rest of the country soon comes to appreciate Hanif’s material as much as I do.

The brilliance of Hanif

Is how he always writes from a place of love. a place that's most never find the words to convey how they feel. Hanif knows the words. He knows how to weave them. how to connect with the reader on a wavelength that infects them and begs them to sit and think for a moment longer and after they do the words remain with them. this is the brilliance of Hanif Abdurraqib and it only gets better as you go through his work

Love this book!

Really enjoyed these stories. The writing is equally beautiful and interesting. The delivery from the author is well done. It’s almost like a cross between podcast and poetry reading. Really lovely.

Great story

Really good story and a great analysis of the ways in which music intertwines with our lives. These are thoughts that I’ve had but never been able to understand, Hanif allowed me the space to understand.

Next level introspection

Absolutely beautiful collection of essays; must read/listen for any music fan regardless of your favorite genre.

excellent read

Great story telling, incredibly nuanced and creative critique. If you listen to music—any kind of music— you should listen to this

Life-changing

This is an amazing collection. I highly recommend taking the time to read or listen.

Hats off to Hanif

Amazing how the author is able to pull such deep meaning from music and pop culture. I could read/listen to this book over and over and never get bored.

The most compelling writing styles I'll experience

This author could write about paint drying and it would probably make me cry. I loved every second of this collection of essays. the cadence and prose are immaculate, and the emotional expressions compelling.

Killed it!

Poetry, memoir, music, all intertwine in this very poignant analysis of life through the live music concert scene! Being from the same part of Ohio and being a lover of misc and live concerts, I loved this book! Absolutely mesmerizing and insightful! 5 stars!