A Thousand Threads

A Memoir

By: Neneh Cherry

Narrated by: Neneh Cherry

Shortlisted for the Women’s Prize

“Neneh is cool, Neneh is wise, Neneh is a legend. Her memoir is a treasure. I loved it.” —Zadie Smith

This vibrant memoir from Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Neneh Cherry offers an inside look at her fascinating career and is “a living testament to artistic invention and the people who are driven by it” (The Guardian).

Born in Sweden in 1964, Neneh Cherry’s father Ahmadu was a musician from Sierra Leone. Her mother, Moki, was a twenty-one-year-old Swedish textile artist. Her parents split up just after Neneh was born, and not long afterwards Moki met and fell in love with acclaimed jazz musician Don Cherry. Eventually, the strong pull New York City in the 1970s drew him them there, but they made a home wherever they traveled. Neneh and her brother Eagle-Eye experienced a life of creativity, freedom, and, of course, music.

In A Thousand Threads, Neneh takes readers from the charming old schoolhouse in the woods of Sweden where she grew up, to the village in Sierra Leone that was birthplace of her biological father, to the early punk scene in London and New York, to finding her identity with her stepfather’s family in Watts, California. Neneh has lived an extraordinary life of connectivity and creativity and she recounts in intimate detail how she burst onto the scene as a teenager in the punk band The Slits, and went on to release her first album in 1989 with a worldwide hit single “Buffalo Stance.”

Neneh’s inspiring and deeply compelling memoir both celebrates female empowerment and shines a light on the global music scene—and is perfect for anyone interested in the artistic life in all its forms.

Critic reviews

"Like any great performer, Neneh Cherry keeps the energy high, delivering anecdotes in a voice that is warm and powerful. Experiencing her performance seems like talking about life with a cool friend."

A Fascinating Creative and Personal Journey

I’m really enjoying listening to this. So many aspects of Nenehs life resonate with me. I remember coming of age in art school in Europe and Buffalo Stance was the song of the time. Even today. Her creative and untraditional upbringing by artist parents, still figuring out their way, molded a fierce wise grounded woman. A must read for the creative souls .

Loved it Outstanding

Neneh Cherry’s music was a big part of my pivotal later teen years into early adulthood.. I loved her strong lyrics, her feminist point of view taking no shit from the boys and her urban edge. Listening to her memoir was compelling what a life. From her nomadic artistic upbringing living around the world. To finding her voice and creating. Loved listening to her journey her love of community and family. Bringing everyone together with love, music and food. Her struggles, her journey raising her three daughters. A great listen I was always a fan of her music but now I really think what an amazing strong woman. Respect for laying it all out there without this attachment to ego. I also enjoyed her giving us a beautiful insight to her parents who helped create and shape her.

Remarkable Memoir

Neneh Cherry gave an excellent performance in reading this book. In her own words and voice she took you on a journey of her life. The ups and downs the uncertainty and the love that held her unconventional family together. I remember most of the artists she spoke of and appreciated her insights into their lives and work. This memoir made me appreciate her work even more since I was already a big fan.
Great read.

Woman Power Indeed

Food, family, unity, love and art all woven together in one creative existence of the beautiful Neneh Cherry. Amazing story of this powerful woman continuing to influence new generations of women / artists. Praise to her ancestors, and the "village" that
beautifully shaped her. What great inspiration between these pages!

Outstanding

The story telling is beautiful. I loved hearing about all the artist connections and the family relationships.