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

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.

Incredible at each read

When I read this after it initially came out I was blown away by its word and spirit. Now getting the chance to listen to it, in his voice, with his occasional verbal updates as well as just the distance of time is a gift of depth and meaning.

This is music

This was one of my favorite books that I have ever listened to. The author is a poet, not just in that they write poetry, but that they can tie music, culture, politics, tragedy, joy, loss and love together in ways that make the reader feel connected and astonished. When I say this is music, it is because this book moved me in ways that thus far in my life, only music has achieved.

Phenomenal authenticity

Hanifs narration is like sitting next to him at a coffee shop, and his side notes are interesting along the way. I'm impressed by everything about this book and I'll be getting his other narrated audiobooks too after this one. Great recommendation from a friend.