Track Record: Me, Music, and the War on Blackness: THE REVOLUTIONARY MEMOIR FROM THE UK'S MOST CREATIVE VOICE is an education in every sense of the word.

George Mpanga, better known as George the Poet, has written something more than a memoir. Yes, this details his life, his successes and struggles, but more than that, he offers a keen-eyed commentary on contemporary society.

The primary lesson of the book is in the power of critical self-reflection. George is brutally honest about his rise to fame and the problematic nature of being held up as an exemplar of black success, used to justify notions of a racism free Britain where everyone can succeed if they just work hard enough. George was lucky, benefiting from his mum's choice to move him to a different, more academic school, but he's clear that this is precisely the kind of opportunity not available to many young black boys, who are trapped in a system which works to keep them down. In the book, he invites us to see how such power structures priviledge and uphold certain values and certain people, leaving others adrift. Famously, putting his money where his mouth is, George refused an MBE in 2019, due to Britain's refusal to acknowledge or mitigate the negative effects of its colonial past. Here, he details the ways in which that legacy still has its hooks in our society - and that nothing will change unless we work together to change it.

While I have no doubt that readers encountering his words on the page will have a powerful experience, the audiobook read by the author elevates this to a whole new level. His chosen medium, spoken word poetry, gives his voice a presence and a gravity that speaks to the soul as well as the mind. I listened and I learnt. I hope others find this audiobook and do the same.

Audiobook via Netgalley

I've always been an admirer of George the Poet's work. Here he puts it in the broader context of black British art. It's reflective of how his own riae to fame has helped and hindered. It's autobiography but also a heavy critique of white capitalist structures. A great piece of riveting social theory and personal story.

This is an incredible piece of work. I did not have prior knowledge about George the Poet and this was fascinating as well as truly enlightening. I learned so much and urge everyone to read this book this year, if you read anything!

This was a thought-provoking and hugely informative book where George Mpanga - better known as George the Poet - explains his part in the 'war on blackness' and reflects on how his rise to fame now strikes him as problematic. It's clear he's a deep thinker, introspective beyond the capabilities of most and now rails against his prior description as a 'good immigrant'. In fact, he spends much of the book railing against the hand he has been dealt and how it lead to a level of conformity which he is now decidedly uneasy with. His sense of guilt is also met with a realisation that his success was, in part, due to embracing elements of the capitalist system that he believes helps perpetuate the 'war on blackness'.

In part autobiography, in part scathing polemic on those he feels help maintain the deeply unfair capitalist system. He criticises this rap stars who he feel have abandoned improving the lives of others; instead focusing on wealth creation, luxury accumulation and placing adoration over humility. He discusses his love on music, whether it be born in the estates that he grew up in or from the Ugandan land of his forefathers. Throughout he is honest and self-critical, championing the things he's deeply proud of (sociology, his teachers, his parents) whilst reflecting on the negative aspects of some parts of his career. He is a superb narrator and the lyricism of his poetry comes across in the delivery of this audiobook.

I first discovered George the Poet during lockdown when I found Have you heard George's Podcast on BBC Sounds. I loved it!

When I saw George's memoir, Track Record, on @netgalley I instantly requested and again, I have loved listening to George.

Track Record takes us on a journey, the journey of George's life and his own journey into music. However, we're also taken on a journey through history to look at how society has shaped the experiences of the Black Diaspora, particularly in relation to music and capitalism.

It's very hard for me to review a book like this with the eloquence it deserves. How can anyone give George The Poet justice with words when he uses them so powerfully himself? However, what I can say is that this book is engaging, educational, moving, relevant and so important. It should feature on so many TBR's and I really really hope to see this feature across booksta.

I remember seeing George the Poet live years ago and his performance really struck a chord and stayed with me so I loved listening to this as I found out more about his history and the history behind his childhood and influences.

Unfortunately, this audiobook didn't work with me.
And I'm specifically talking about the audiobook production, not the book itself.
George is doing his job telling us what he needs to, but the audiobook production was a real struggle to me.
The volume was too low. I literally couldn't hear it.
Maybe it's a 'me' thing, sure. The thing is: I usually listen to audiobooks while doing some chores around the house or at the gym. I couldn't hear George's voice due to low quality of the audio.
I would have to be at some place with total and absolute silence to be able to hear it.
Didn't work with me.

This book is a mix between autobiography and social theory. I particularly liked that this was an audiobook and could listen to George The Poet express his views himself.

I learnt a lot from listening and feel inspired to learn more.