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Track Record: Me, Music, and the War on Blackness: THE REVOLUTIONARY MEMOIR FROM THE UK'S MOST CREATIVE VOICE
The ground-breaking memoir by acclaimed rapper and podcast host, George the PoetBorn to Ugandan parents on the St Raphael's Estate in Neasden, north-west London, George has always been an ambitious storyteller. Influenced by his hometown, George started MCing , and eventually found his voice in poetry and with it an avenue for change.Track Me, Music, and the War on Blackness sheds light on George's upbringing and artistic career. He looks back at his education, his time at university, and his beginnings as a musician. We are given an insight into the forces that have shaped him and the stories he chooses to tell. As with George's other work, Track Record goes beyond the traditional memoir and takes the reader on a journey throughout history. George dives deep into the complexities of the economy and interrogates the legacy of colonialism. He reflects on music and its power as a political force - how it can be a catalyst for social power and economic change. By weaving a story that is both personal and political, George delivers an incredibly powerful and unique perspective on the world around us. Honest, thought-provoking and lyrical, Track Record is a fascinating insight by an inimitable storyteller.
- GenresPoetryMemoirNonfiction
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 13, 2024
Track Record: Me, Music, and the War on Blackness: THE REVOLUTIONARY MEMOIR FROM THE UK'S MOST CREATIVE VOICE is an education in every sense of the word.
George Mpanga, better known as George the Poet, has written something more than a memoir. Yes, this details his life, his successes and struggles, but more than that, he offers a keen-eyed commentary on contemporary society.
The primary lesson of the book is in the power of critical self-reflection. George is brutally honest about his rise to fame and the problematic nature of being held up as an exemplar of black success, used to justify notions of a racism free Britain where everyone can succeed if they just work hard enough. George was lucky, benefiting from his mum's choice to move him to a different, more academic school, but he's clear that this is precisely the kind of opportunity not available to many young black boys, who are trapped in a system which works to keep them down. In the book, he invites us to see how such power structures priviledge and uphold certain values and certain people, leaving others adrift. Famously, putting his money where his mouth is, George refused an MBE in 2019, due to Britain's refusal to acknowledge or mitigate the negative effects of its colonial past. Here, he details the ways in which that legacy still has its hooks in our society - and that nothing will change unless we work together to change it.
While I have no doubt that readers encountering his words on the page will have a powerful experience, the audiobook read by the author elevates this to a whole new level. His chosen medium, spoken word poetry, gives his voice a presence and a gravity that speaks to the soul as well as the mind. I listened and I learnt. I hope others find this audiobook and do the same.
Audiobook via Netgalley
George Mpanga, better known as George the Poet, has written something more than a memoir. Yes, this details his life, his successes and struggles, but more than that, he offers a keen-eyed commentary on contemporary society.
The primary lesson of the book is in the power of critical self-reflection. George is brutally honest about his rise to fame and the problematic nature of being held up as an exemplar of black success, used to justify notions of a racism free Britain where everyone can succeed if they just work hard enough. George was lucky, benefiting from his mum's choice to move him to a different, more academic school, but he's clear that this is precisely the kind of opportunity not available to many young black boys, who are trapped in a system which works to keep them down. In the book, he invites us to see how such power structures priviledge and uphold certain values and certain people, leaving others adrift. Famously, putting his money where his mouth is, George refused an MBE in 2019, due to Britain's refusal to acknowledge or mitigate the negative effects of its colonial past. Here, he details the ways in which that legacy still has its hooks in our society - and that nothing will change unless we work together to change it.
While I have no doubt that readers encountering his words on the page will have a powerful experience, the audiobook read by the author elevates this to a whole new level. His chosen medium, spoken word poetry, gives his voice a presence and a gravity that speaks to the soul as well as the mind. I listened and I learnt. I hope others find this audiobook and do the same.
Audiobook via Netgalley
June 4, 2024
Track Record: Me, Music and the War on Blackness, George 'The Poet' Mpanga's hugely ambitious memoir-cum-manifesto, is a difficult book to review. Its scope is so broad that the reader to whom all of the content would appeal seems impossibly specific. Personally, I was fascinated by Mpanga's deep dive into the legacy of neo-liberalism and racial capitalism, but bored by long sections detailing the evolution of the 00s UK hip hop scene; for other readers, it may well be the other way round.
While other commentators have honed in on the experience of being Black and British, Mpanga's book has a far more global perspective, drawing on research spanning the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia to make his points more convincing. This could be a response to those who would hold up examples of successful Black individuals in 'the West' as evidence that racism's impact has lessened; as Mpanga makes clear, 'on a global scale, the inequity is undeniable'. If only those detractors were likely to read this book! Much of the book is a deeply damning exposé on the impact of colonialism, which still reverberates through countries who fought to snatch their independence back from western powers. It is easier to look at less economically developed nations, shrug and suppose that darker populations are less capable, less disciplined, less motivated than their white counterparts, but Mpanga makes a powerful case for these iniquities being the result of a deeply rooted western desire to control land, labour and commodities, and perpetuated by western academics whose world view is 'rooted in a version of history in which the good guys won.' He goes on to speak of the harmful impact on young Black people growing up in the west of an education assessed by western institutions, on western ideas, using western language.
'Western dominance is upheld by crimes, rooted in the past, meaning the world order would be called into question if the west was held truly accountable, which is why there is a permanent war on blackness.'
Mpanga evidences the war on blackness with examples of Black leaders believed to have been assassinated because of the machinations of western surveillance agencies - from Martin Luther King Jr and Patrice Lamumba to Tupac Shakur. He speaks with authority and conviction, but some of his claims could be more convincingly evidenced when much of what he's saying - about Libya and the Cold War, for example - is counter to the prevailing narrative. Mpanga is dismissive of people who refer to rumours of CIA involvement in Tupac's murder as a conspiracy, and yet he provides no solid evidence to prove that this is what happened. This may be an issue with the audiobook - no references are apparent to cite the information and theories he shares - but maybe these are available in the print format.
With regard to his own role in the war on blackness, Mpanga is self-aware and reflective, able to look back on how his political views have evolved since his time in the UK state education system - and later at the University of Cambridge. He rightly holds these systems and institutions to account for whitewashing events in order to preserve the myth of Britain as a benevolent power in world history, but owns his own ignorance and willingness to accept this white-centric version of events. He admits to being conflicted - he profits from the same mainstream media that 'maintains silence on real, human-made distasters... This media happily platforms me as a non-threatening Black man, but also monetises the trauma of my people in ways that uphold white supremacy, while muffling the voices and warping the images of disobedient Black, brown and even white people.' Mpanga spends some time musing on the Black radical ideas of academics such as Kehinde Andrews, and extolls the value of dismantling a system which serves to oppress Black people, rather than working to help them gain fair access to that system. However, he ultimately runs out of steam with this train of thought, and I was left unsure as to what he believed the most effective alternative to Black liberalism to be.
An interesting section looks at the inextricably linked histories of rap music and neo-liberal society, the former mirroring the latter through its celebration of wealth, the acquisition of goods and personal success built on humble beginnings overcome through ruthless individualism. Mpanga's disdain for 'toxic lyrics [which] leave a toxic residue' is apparent; he firmly believes that rappers like Jay-Z and 50 Cent were willing colluders in the commodification of hip hop, sacrificing creativity and a social conscience for profit and mainstream appeal, and shirking any responsibility for the young people tearing each other apart within the same street culture that they promoted.
'In fact, I'd say that hip hop's overwhelming anger at social injustice died in 1996 with the murder of Tupac; after him, the genre's biggest stars were no longer outsiders or threats to the mainstream - they were insiders, embedded in the neo-liberal status quo, half-heartedly critiquing society while rejecting collective responsibility.'
However, for every thought-provoking, concisely-worded section, there is a tedious, meandering interlude. I appreciate what Mpanga was trying to do - weave his insights around his life story to illustrate his points and show how he came to his conclusions through his experiences, but for me it doesn't really work. Track Record reads like two very different books - a polemic and a memoir - which don't mesh particularly cohesively; I found myself frustrated when Mpanga broke focus to talk about his time in the music industry or, bizarrely, how he found his creative voice through a cartoon Ugandan schoolgirl.
Mpanga narrates the audiobook and this truly elevates the material. When he reads lines like, 'We spend more time fighting for a bigger share of our colonisers' looted wealth than we do ending the West's continued exploitation of our ancestral homes,' you can hear the passion that fuels his writing, while the self-deprecating chuckle in his voice when he recounts an ill-advised Twitter spat over the concept of wokeness adds a clarity of tone that may not be so apparent on the page.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review an ARC of this book.
While other commentators have honed in on the experience of being Black and British, Mpanga's book has a far more global perspective, drawing on research spanning the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia to make his points more convincing. This could be a response to those who would hold up examples of successful Black individuals in 'the West' as evidence that racism's impact has lessened; as Mpanga makes clear, 'on a global scale, the inequity is undeniable'. If only those detractors were likely to read this book! Much of the book is a deeply damning exposé on the impact of colonialism, which still reverberates through countries who fought to snatch their independence back from western powers. It is easier to look at less economically developed nations, shrug and suppose that darker populations are less capable, less disciplined, less motivated than their white counterparts, but Mpanga makes a powerful case for these iniquities being the result of a deeply rooted western desire to control land, labour and commodities, and perpetuated by western academics whose world view is 'rooted in a version of history in which the good guys won.' He goes on to speak of the harmful impact on young Black people growing up in the west of an education assessed by western institutions, on western ideas, using western language.
'Western dominance is upheld by crimes, rooted in the past, meaning the world order would be called into question if the west was held truly accountable, which is why there is a permanent war on blackness.'
Mpanga evidences the war on blackness with examples of Black leaders believed to have been assassinated because of the machinations of western surveillance agencies - from Martin Luther King Jr and Patrice Lamumba to Tupac Shakur. He speaks with authority and conviction, but some of his claims could be more convincingly evidenced when much of what he's saying - about Libya and the Cold War, for example - is counter to the prevailing narrative. Mpanga is dismissive of people who refer to rumours of CIA involvement in Tupac's murder as a conspiracy, and yet he provides no solid evidence to prove that this is what happened. This may be an issue with the audiobook - no references are apparent to cite the information and theories he shares - but maybe these are available in the print format.
With regard to his own role in the war on blackness, Mpanga is self-aware and reflective, able to look back on how his political views have evolved since his time in the UK state education system - and later at the University of Cambridge. He rightly holds these systems and institutions to account for whitewashing events in order to preserve the myth of Britain as a benevolent power in world history, but owns his own ignorance and willingness to accept this white-centric version of events. He admits to being conflicted - he profits from the same mainstream media that 'maintains silence on real, human-made distasters... This media happily platforms me as a non-threatening Black man, but also monetises the trauma of my people in ways that uphold white supremacy, while muffling the voices and warping the images of disobedient Black, brown and even white people.' Mpanga spends some time musing on the Black radical ideas of academics such as Kehinde Andrews, and extolls the value of dismantling a system which serves to oppress Black people, rather than working to help them gain fair access to that system. However, he ultimately runs out of steam with this train of thought, and I was left unsure as to what he believed the most effective alternative to Black liberalism to be.
An interesting section looks at the inextricably linked histories of rap music and neo-liberal society, the former mirroring the latter through its celebration of wealth, the acquisition of goods and personal success built on humble beginnings overcome through ruthless individualism. Mpanga's disdain for 'toxic lyrics [which] leave a toxic residue' is apparent; he firmly believes that rappers like Jay-Z and 50 Cent were willing colluders in the commodification of hip hop, sacrificing creativity and a social conscience for profit and mainstream appeal, and shirking any responsibility for the young people tearing each other apart within the same street culture that they promoted.
'In fact, I'd say that hip hop's overwhelming anger at social injustice died in 1996 with the murder of Tupac; after him, the genre's biggest stars were no longer outsiders or threats to the mainstream - they were insiders, embedded in the neo-liberal status quo, half-heartedly critiquing society while rejecting collective responsibility.'
However, for every thought-provoking, concisely-worded section, there is a tedious, meandering interlude. I appreciate what Mpanga was trying to do - weave his insights around his life story to illustrate his points and show how he came to his conclusions through his experiences, but for me it doesn't really work. Track Record reads like two very different books - a polemic and a memoir - which don't mesh particularly cohesively; I found myself frustrated when Mpanga broke focus to talk about his time in the music industry or, bizarrely, how he found his creative voice through a cartoon Ugandan schoolgirl.
Mpanga narrates the audiobook and this truly elevates the material. When he reads lines like, 'We spend more time fighting for a bigger share of our colonisers' looted wealth than we do ending the West's continued exploitation of our ancestral homes,' you can hear the passion that fuels his writing, while the self-deprecating chuckle in his voice when he recounts an ill-advised Twitter spat over the concept of wokeness adds a clarity of tone that may not be so apparent on the page.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review an ARC of this book.
March 6, 2025
'Track Record: Me, Music and the War on Blackness' takes the reader through an exploration of George the Poets experience of Music; from an avid music lover, to an upcoming Grime Artist and to where he has landed as a spoken word poet. The book also touches upon the concept of the War on Blackness, as George illustrates how particular moments in history such as the murders of prominent black freedom fighters, as well as colonisation and imperialism have contributed to this war on Blackness. Throughout the book, George doesn't portray himself as holier than thou, but instead invites the reader to draw their own conclusions.
The writing style of the book is very accessible and conversational at times which allows the reader to follow along with some very difficult concepts. I found it helpful that George The Poet included footnotes of his sources, as there's only so much you can include in one book. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Grime, Poetry, as well as anyone who is eager and truly wants to hear more about the Black experience from a nuanced lens.
The writing style of the book is very accessible and conversational at times which allows the reader to follow along with some very difficult concepts. I found it helpful that George The Poet included footnotes of his sources, as there's only so much you can include in one book. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Grime, Poetry, as well as anyone who is eager and truly wants to hear more about the Black experience from a nuanced lens.
April 20, 2025
This autobiography gives a detailed insight into the creative life and career of George Mpanga, known as spoken-word artist and rapper George the Poet in the cultural scene. Rooted in discussions around around race relations in the UK and its impact on the music field, the writer addresses how he navigates the socio-political dimension to art, from music to storytelling in the context of poetry and drama. Although I really enjoyed this non-fiction book, I would have been interested to hear more about his approach to poetry in recent years.
August 3, 2024
A record of discovering your own radicalism.
Would recommend.
Would recommend.
March 14, 2025
This got me thinking deeper on a lot of topics, and I appreciate his clarity and openness. Musings on the tangled web of Western power and the racism woven through it. Heavy at times - but I'm glad I read it
August 20, 2025
Let me start by admitting that seeing this audiobook listed on NetGalley was the first time I heard of George the Poet. While I now understand that he is quite well known in the UK and its cultural territories, his U.S. profile remains low. I mention this to provide the context of going into this book with no expectations beyond the general description, which is likely quite different than most readers/listeners.
It’s pretty clear from the first syllable that comes out of the speakers that George’s voice is what draws people in - he’s got a lot to say, but I think I speak for most Americans when I say that he can narrate anything he wants to me anytime. I don’t even mean that in a creepy old lady with a crush on him way - he just has such a beautiful tone and accent that everything he says sounds extra…well, poetic.
But as he launches into the tale of his awakening to the insidious ongoing rootedness in oppression, imperialism, and racism that defines the established institutions of the UK and the U.S., the rest of his appeal becomes clear as well - he is smart, and most importantly the kind of smart that understands concepts so well that he can break them down and reframe them for a variety of audiences. This book is clearly intended for a broad audience of adults with some level of familiarity with modern music and colonialist power structures, but he could just as effortlessly provide additional analysis to defend a dissertation or simplify his references to engage a younger audience.
There is an air of excitement throughout that came across to me as charming - he has come to these conclusions and wants to share them with everyone! But I could absolutely see someone with more first-hand knowledge of the black British experience rolling their eyes a bit at the zeal of the converted.
Listening to this book is like being seated next to a fascinating fellow guest at a party - the topics bounce around a bit, but that’s OK because the flow feels natural.
I hope that this one makes it to US audiences - we have an obnoxious tendency to forget that we’re not the only people on the planet and that England is not entirely comprised of the royal family and Jane Austen characters. I look forward to hearing what George does next now that he is, in the absolute best way, woke.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
It’s pretty clear from the first syllable that comes out of the speakers that George’s voice is what draws people in - he’s got a lot to say, but I think I speak for most Americans when I say that he can narrate anything he wants to me anytime. I don’t even mean that in a creepy old lady with a crush on him way - he just has such a beautiful tone and accent that everything he says sounds extra…well, poetic.
But as he launches into the tale of his awakening to the insidious ongoing rootedness in oppression, imperialism, and racism that defines the established institutions of the UK and the U.S., the rest of his appeal becomes clear as well - he is smart, and most importantly the kind of smart that understands concepts so well that he can break them down and reframe them for a variety of audiences. This book is clearly intended for a broad audience of adults with some level of familiarity with modern music and colonialist power structures, but he could just as effortlessly provide additional analysis to defend a dissertation or simplify his references to engage a younger audience.
There is an air of excitement throughout that came across to me as charming - he has come to these conclusions and wants to share them with everyone! But I could absolutely see someone with more first-hand knowledge of the black British experience rolling their eyes a bit at the zeal of the converted.
Listening to this book is like being seated next to a fascinating fellow guest at a party - the topics bounce around a bit, but that’s OK because the flow feels natural.
I hope that this one makes it to US audiences - we have an obnoxious tendency to forget that we’re not the only people on the planet and that England is not entirely comprised of the royal family and Jane Austen characters. I look forward to hearing what George does next now that he is, in the absolute best way, woke.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
March 19, 2025
A heavy read but wow, how incredibly powerful.
I’ve followed George for a while now and had been meaning to read this book, and I’m so glad I finally did. It��s not only deeply informative and vital, but also engaging and thought-provoking. I loved how he weaves his personal stories with reflections on the economy, colonialism, and power. It’s such a unique way of educating and informing his readers.
What I admire most about George is the way he writes. The lyricism and beauty of it is just outstanding, and so unique. You can almost hear him saying the words written on the page
This is really such an essential book - one that everyone should read. George’s self-awareness, his grasp of the world, and the dedication he’s shown in educating himself and others is remarkable. He deserves every accolade, as a writer, as a poet and as an educator.
I’ve followed George for a while now and had been meaning to read this book, and I’m so glad I finally did. It��s not only deeply informative and vital, but also engaging and thought-provoking. I loved how he weaves his personal stories with reflections on the economy, colonialism, and power. It’s such a unique way of educating and informing his readers.
What I admire most about George is the way he writes. The lyricism and beauty of it is just outstanding, and so unique. You can almost hear him saying the words written on the page
This is really such an essential book - one that everyone should read. George’s self-awareness, his grasp of the world, and the dedication he’s shown in educating himself and others is remarkable. He deserves every accolade, as a writer, as a poet and as an educator.
July 11, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced ARC of this Non fiction biography audiobook
This book to me I found a heavy read and had to take it a few chapters a day (where normally I can finish an audiobook in a day) but I found this a very informative read that gave Mr an insight into things to see things differently from what I thought I knew on some stuff. Not only was this about George's experiences in the music industry but also how it was for him to grow up in the UK (United Kingdom), but was also mixed with some history and some issues with certain things and the hidden meaning to other stuff (I feel like this book for me in some ways pulled back a veil to peek I'm to what I know I will never fully understand but can be educated to know better).
This book to me I found a heavy read and had to take it a few chapters a day (where normally I can finish an audiobook in a day) but I found this a very informative read that gave Mr an insight into things to see things differently from what I thought I knew on some stuff. Not only was this about George's experiences in the music industry but also how it was for him to grow up in the UK (United Kingdom), but was also mixed with some history and some issues with certain things and the hidden meaning to other stuff (I feel like this book for me in some ways pulled back a veil to peek I'm to what I know I will never fully understand but can be educated to know better).
July 31, 2024
I don’t know exactly when I read this book but it was around June. I listened to the audiobook and I have to say it was close to a life changing read.
George’s insights did nothing short of hit every nail on the head. Nothing he had written needed me to challenge it or hmmm about it.
I would go as far as to say that this book is a must read/listen for any conscious minded black person.
What I particularly enjoyed was listening to how history of the past meets with our now. It made me feel part of what is happening rather than a voyeur.
Go and read this book!
George’s insights did nothing short of hit every nail on the head. Nothing he had written needed me to challenge it or hmmm about it.
I would go as far as to say that this book is a must read/listen for any conscious minded black person.
What I particularly enjoyed was listening to how history of the past meets with our now. It made me feel part of what is happening rather than a voyeur.
Go and read this book!
August 31, 2024
George takes us on a journey of his own self discovery, and shows how his viewpoints have changed overtime based on his life experiences, but also his openness to learn. An incredible book, full of nostalgia, learnings, and 'omg, that happened?!' moments for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the hard hitting facts of the Empire... should be read by all.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews