Hip Hop & Hymns (Mawunyo Gbogbo, Penguin) 

Hip Hop & Hymns is a beautiful and heart-wrenching memoir by Mawunyo Gbogbo, music and pop culture reporter for the ABC. Gbogbo begins her story in Ghana, where her parents first met and where she was born. We then follow their migration to Australia in the 80s and their life in the small country town of Muswellbrook, which Gbogbo remembers fondly. Very early in her life she falls in love with hip-hop and the representation she sees in the genre, as well as church hymns, an expression of her faith. A key part of this memoir is Gbogbo’s relationship with her on-again off-again childhood sweetheart Tyce, through which she explores many important themes. Though the two love each other, their turbulent relationship takes its toll on Gbogbo as Tyce struggles with addiction, abuse, mental health issues and adjusting to life outside of prison. In fact, Gbogbo gives us great insight into many of the relationships in her life—she is extremely honest in her writing, and the reader is swiftly drawn to her story. With her, we revel in her successes, cringe at her mistakes, and empathise as she navigates adolescence and adulthood. Each chapter of rich storytelling is layered with wisdom and advice, making this memoir perfect for those who enjoyed Elaine Welteroth’s More Than Enough and Maxine Beneba-Clarke’s The Hate Race. 

Tracy-Kate Simambo is a writer and former Djed Press mentee. 

Category: Reviews