Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter discussed his new memoir, The Upcycled Self, on the MSNBC show The ReidOut with host Joy Reid.
Trotter’s memoir, co-written with Jasmine Martin and published in November by One World, tells the story of his childhood in Philadelphia and his career as the MC of the pioneering hip-hop group the Roots. A critic for Kirkus praised the book as “an outstanding read” and “an eloquently insightful autobiography from an iconic rapper and wordsmith.”
Reid asked what made Trotter open up in his book about his difficult childhood, including the murder of both of his parents.
“I feel like now more than ever, the world needs those stories,” Trotter responded. “They need real-life accounts of overcoming an obstacle. There’s so much in my story along the way that I’ve been faced with and I’ve had to overcome. If I’m able to give someone anything to latch on to, then I feel like the book has served its purpose.”
Reid asked Trotter what he wanted people to take from his book.
“I would love for people to walk away from this book with an understanding of the saving grace, the salvation that lies in the arts and arts education,” he replied. “If it’s not art, then anything, providing children, young people, with an outlet, with an opportunity to gaze beyond the block, over the fence, outside of the ’hood. Those little glimpses are what lit the fire within me.”
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
