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Marcus J Moore
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Marcus J. Moore

High and Rising

Written by the esteemed author, curator, and music journalist Marcus J. Moore, this is the first biography of De La Soul. It unpacks the significance of the influential rap group, the birth of hip-hop culture, and the evolution of alternative rap. Marcus also weaves in a deeply personal coming-of-age story about his journey through life with De La as a backdrop.

About
Marcus

Marcus J. Moore is an esteemed music journalist, editor, event curator, professor, live interviewer, and author of The Butterfly Effect: How Kendrick Lamar Ignited the Soul of Black America.

The book is out via Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. His next book, High and Rising, a cultural biography of rap trio De La Soul, will be published by HarperCollins in November 2024.

Curated
Musicby Marcus J Moore

Cosmic Transitions

Cosmic Transitions
Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few

Don’t Play It Straight

Don’t Play It Straight
Small Bills (E L U C I D & The Lasso)

Live

Live
Angel Bat Dawid & Tha Brothahood

An Open Dialogue (Live in New York)

An Open Dialogue (Live in New York)
Linda Sikhakhane

spr blk: liberation jazz and soul from the ’70s and beyond

spr blk: liberation jazz and soul from the ’70s and beyond
Marcus J. Moore

High and Rising

A biography of the hip-hop trio De La Soul, charting their ascension, their boundary-pushing experimentation, and their lasting cultural influence.

Select
Writings

Madness in the Cupboards

Madness in the Cupboards
Oxford American

Erykah Badu: Finding ‘Amerykah’

Erykah Badu: Finding ‘Amerykah’
TIDAL

5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Jazz Piano

5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Jazz Piano
The New York Times

The Liner Notes: The Culture Is Still Catching Up to Saul Williams

The Liner Notes: The Culture Is Still Catching Up to Saul Williams
TIDAL

A Car Accident Couldn’t Halt the Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin’s Rise

A Car Accident Couldn’t Halt the Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin’s Rise
The New York Times

The Liner Notes: The Revolutionary Fusion of Matías Pizarro

The Liner Notes: The Revolutionary Fusion of Matías Pizarro
TIDAL

5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Sun Ra

5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Sun Ra
The New York Times

Julius Rodriguez, a young pianist fusing (all) the music from inside-out

Julius Rodriguez, a young pianist fusing (all) the music from inside-out
NPR

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