A book about how Kendrick Lamar captured our hearts and minds through rap is on the way. Also, Alicia Keys is producing a biopic about the life of legendary choreographer Alvin Ailey and it just got the greenlight. Deets inside…
When Kendrick Lamar first burst onto the scene, it was obvious he was something special. The thought-provoking musical genius unleashed three poppin’ albums -- m.A.A.d city, To Pimp a Butterfly, and DAMN– that not only kept us entertained, but it also made us think.
Now, K. Dot is arguably one of the best rappers in his generation. Soon, fans will get a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at Kendrick’s rise to fame in an upcoming biography.
Some big news I've been eager to share: I've signed with @TouchstoneBooks to write the cultural biography of Kendrick Lamar. My book, "The Butterfly Effect: How Kendrick Lamar Ignited the Soul of Black America," will detail his rise to rap superstardom. pic.twitter.com/6Fm68sFBad
— Marcus J. Moore (@MarcusJMoore) March 22, 2018
Bandcamp Senior Editor/Pitchfork contributor Marcus J. Moore announced via Twitter he’s about to write a “cultural biography” detailing the Compton rapper’s rise to superstardom after inking a deal with Touchstone Books, which is a Simon & Schuster-backed imprint.
"My book details the artist's coming of age as an MC, how he helped resurrect two languishing genres (bebop and jazz), his profound impact on a racially fraught America, and his emergence as the bonafide King of Rap,” Marcus explained to Pigeons and Planes via email.
"It centers on three albums—good kid, m.A.A.d city, To Pimp a Butterfly, and DAMN.— and examines how Lamar charted a personal and societal awakening in America," Moore continues. "It details how his story directly connects to the charged spirits of art and revolution. Ultimately, the biography explores the broad global impact of Mr. Lamar and his work."
Marcus Moore has interviews lined up with people in and around the environment in which Kendrick grew up as well as people who helped him to catapult his career. He said K. Dot’s camp is fully aware of the biography.
"Having covered Lamar's music over the years, I'm always fascinated by the sheer gravity of his work," Marcus said. "He's an iconic musician, and someone who truly appreciates the foundation of black art, using it as a vehicle to shed light on his community. He's never forgotten where he's come from and I think that's honorable. He's also a conflicted soul who's always looking to improve, and is never satisfied with the status quo. He shapes culture and music in a way no other lyricist has. As a a big fan of his work, I want to shed adequate light on the man behind the music while giving proper context to his art."
Can't wait to read this one. No word yet on the title or when it will be released.
Speaking of biographies...
Here’s another biography you’ll be interested in.
FOX Searchlight is currently working on a film that will chronicle the life and work of famed choreographer Alvin Ailey. Thankfully, the project is supported by the Ailey organization, which controls the rights to Ailey’s choreography.
For a truly authentic story, the studio will reportedly be working closely with Artistic Director Robert Battle and Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison, to bring Ailey’s story and choreography to the big screen, according to Deadline. Knowing the studio is working with people from his company is reassuring that they’ll get it right.
"We are thrilled to be working with these incredible partners to bring to the screen the amazing journey and revolutionary choreography of Alvin Ailey, whose life and legacy profoundly impacted people of all backgrounds around the world,” Artistic Director Robert Battle said.
Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys will be producing alongside Susan Lewis through her AK Worldwide production company. Judy Kinberg, Rachel Cohen, and Jana Edelbaum from iDeal Partners have also signed on as producers.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater totally changed the game of modern dance, creating ethnic tradition into art for everyone to see. He started the troop in 1958 and it became known as the "Cultural Ambassador to the World" due to its many overseas tours.
Mr. Ailey passed away at Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC on December 1, 1989. He was 58. It’s reported he told doctors to say his cause of death was from "terminal blood dyscrasia, a rare disorder that affects the bone marrow and red blood cells" to spare his mother the social stigma of his death. It was later discover that Ailey had died of AIDS.
EXTRAS:
1. Nate Parker set to direct an indie film about an unsung detective during the Watts riots titled, Black and Blue.STORY
Photos: Getty/BlackHistoryNow.com
