Poet Hanif Abdurraqib on genius, basketball and deconstructing hierarchies in writing
CNN
The last five years of Hanif Abdurraqib's career have been bookmarked by multiple books and awards. CNN talks to the National Book Award finalist and MacArthur fellow about his next project and the myth of genius.
Now, the poet (and writer, sneakerhead, failed musician and average baker) has written five books in just as many years. His latest, "A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance," was published in March, and quickly gathered a wide range of accolades, becoming a finalist for the National Book Award.
In between writing, Abdurraqib hasn't slowed down. Last year, he started 68to05, an archival project where writers can publish essays on albums that mean a lot to them. He started hosting "Object of Sound," a podcast about music and culture. In July, he was named an editor for Tin House, a prestigious literary book publisher, and is set to acquire three books.
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