A Little Devil in America

"A Little Devil in America" by Hanif Abdurraqib is an amazing and insightful work of praise for Black performances and Black culture from the modern age.

Inspired by the words of the legendary performer Josephine Baker, "I was a devil in other countries, and I was a little devil in America, too", Hanif Abdurraqip meditates on Black performance and its influence on culture, history and himself.

With humor, heart and insight, Abdurraqip presents iconic performances from history that resonated with Black and white cultures throughout the ages and informed American politics. At the same time Abdurraqip shows the way these Black performances of the past are connected to his own life and his personal experiences with love and grief. From Aretha to Beyonce and Merry Clayton to Dave Chapelle, Abdurraqip examines iconic and impactful performances across genres.

A Little Devil in America" is written by Hanif Abdurraqib, an American poet, essayist and critic.