What do you think?
Rate this book
The Upcycled Self: A Memoir on the Art of Becoming Who We Are
“Tariq Trotter . . . could be hip-hop’s Dostoyevsky. Like the Russian novelist, Mr. Trotter has refined literary fire from the soulful furnace of pain and suffering.”— The New York Times
From one of our generation’s most powerful artists and incisive storytellers comes a brilliantly crafted work about the art—and war—of becoming who we are.
upcycle verb
up·cy·cle ˈəp-ˌsī-kəl
: to recycle (something) in such a way that the resulting product is of a higher value than the original item
: to create an object of greater value from (a discarded object of lesser value)
Today Tariq Trotter—better known as Black Thought—is the platinum-selling, Grammy-winning co-founder of The Roots and one of the most exhilaratingly skillful and profound rappers our culture has ever produced. But his story begins with a as a child, Trotter burned down his family’s home. The years that follow are the story of a life snatched from the flames, forged in fire.
In The Upcycled Self, Trotter doesn’t only narrate a riveting and moving portrait of the artist as a young man, he gives readers a courageous model of what it means to live an examined life. In vivid vignettes, he tells the dramatic stories of the four powerful relationships that shaped him—with community, friends, art, and family—each a complex weave of love, discovery, trauma, and loss.
And beyond offering the compellingly poetic account of one artist’s creative and emotional origins, Trotter explores the vital questions we all have to confront about our formative How can we see the story of our own young lives clearly? How do we use that story to understand who we’ve become? How do we forgive the people who loved and hurt us? How do we rediscover and honor our first dreams? And, finally, what do we take forward, what do we pass on, what do we leave behind? This is the beautifully bluesy story of a boy genius’s coming-of-age that illuminates the redemptive power of the upcycle.
From one of our generation’s most powerful artists and incisive storytellers comes a brilliantly crafted work about the art—and war—of becoming who we are.
upcycle verb
up·cy·cle ˈəp-ˌsī-kəl
: to recycle (something) in such a way that the resulting product is of a higher value than the original item
: to create an object of greater value from (a discarded object of lesser value)
Today Tariq Trotter—better known as Black Thought—is the platinum-selling, Grammy-winning co-founder of The Roots and one of the most exhilaratingly skillful and profound rappers our culture has ever produced. But his story begins with a as a child, Trotter burned down his family’s home. The years that follow are the story of a life snatched from the flames, forged in fire.
In The Upcycled Self, Trotter doesn’t only narrate a riveting and moving portrait of the artist as a young man, he gives readers a courageous model of what it means to live an examined life. In vivid vignettes, he tells the dramatic stories of the four powerful relationships that shaped him—with community, friends, art, and family—each a complex weave of love, discovery, trauma, and loss.
And beyond offering the compellingly poetic account of one artist’s creative and emotional origins, Trotter explores the vital questions we all have to confront about our formative How can we see the story of our own young lives clearly? How do we use that story to understand who we’ve become? How do we forgive the people who loved and hurt us? How do we rediscover and honor our first dreams? And, finally, what do we take forward, what do we pass on, what do we leave behind? This is the beautifully bluesy story of a boy genius’s coming-of-age that illuminates the redemptive power of the upcycle.
163 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2023
121 people are currently reading
4539 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
November 12, 2023
The talented Mr. Trotter. He gives a good account of his growing up, but not enough of his process that makes him worthy of a memoir. The reason why we pay attention to Black Thought is because he spits fire when he touches the mic. How? Why? We are not given enough of the how and why, but in hearing his story of growing up in Philadelphia, we can parse the hows and whys. I was hoping for something a bit more clear cut. I however, accept I may be in the minority. Check it out!
October 11, 2023
Tariq Trotter's story and words of wisdom hit me hard, and it felt good.
Being a fan of The Roots, I knew I would enjoy this book, but I did not expect to be so moved by his story. Seldom do we hear from Tariq/Black Thought, and this is one of those "good things come to those who wait" moments. I devoured this book and simply could not put it down. I learned so much about Tariq in every chapter. His is a story mixed with happy and sad moments, ups and downs, but there's love and constant evolution, growth.
I highly recommend this book, and I will definitely read it again. I'll be gifting this title to the men in my life this holiday season. A true MasterClass of a black man that is not too cool to be vulnerable and flawed. The perfect gift for a hip hop lover, Roots fan, and memoir reader.
Being a fan of The Roots, I knew I would enjoy this book, but I did not expect to be so moved by his story. Seldom do we hear from Tariq/Black Thought, and this is one of those "good things come to those who wait" moments. I devoured this book and simply could not put it down. I learned so much about Tariq in every chapter. His is a story mixed with happy and sad moments, ups and downs, but there's love and constant evolution, growth.
I highly recommend this book, and I will definitely read it again. I'll be gifting this title to the men in my life this holiday season. A true MasterClass of a black man that is not too cool to be vulnerable and flawed. The perfect gift for a hip hop lover, Roots fan, and memoir reader.
December 18, 2023
“My grandmother taught me the importance of surrounding yourself only with the people who have earned the right to be in your space. Who have earned your trust and your love. And earned the right to share in your joy. There’s a meaningful gap between the real ones and those just passing through.”
“These musical movements also give them a way of seeing and taking care of themselves. In spite of whatever grief that has come to them, their desire to dance and feed their souls is unbroken. That is what hip hop was for us.”
“We never stop changing. The upcycle never stops either. So as I deal with the inevitable angst of the present, I find relief in identifying the cycles so I can start to break them. I look into the shadows of myself. All that is dark and broken and acknowledge them. And when those parts of myself rooted in my past lives can’t be remade and reintegrated, I let them go.”
“Don’t be afraid to sit with all the parts of yourself. Don’t be afraid to bear your childhood to yourself and say ‘yes, this is the root of my evils, and still I love the child who suffered. I love who he became.’”
“Courageously chase the pure and honest dreams of your youth. Believe in the possibility that you can be all that you always wanted. Give yourself the unyielding permission TO BECOME. Trust the upcycle.”
“These musical movements also give them a way of seeing and taking care of themselves. In spite of whatever grief that has come to them, their desire to dance and feed their souls is unbroken. That is what hip hop was for us.”
“We never stop changing. The upcycle never stops either. So as I deal with the inevitable angst of the present, I find relief in identifying the cycles so I can start to break them. I look into the shadows of myself. All that is dark and broken and acknowledge them. And when those parts of myself rooted in my past lives can’t be remade and reintegrated, I let them go.”
“Don’t be afraid to sit with all the parts of yourself. Don’t be afraid to bear your childhood to yourself and say ‘yes, this is the root of my evils, and still I love the child who suffered. I love who he became.’”
“Courageously chase the pure and honest dreams of your youth. Believe in the possibility that you can be all that you always wanted. Give yourself the unyielding permission TO BECOME. Trust the upcycle.”
July 15, 2024
Authenticity at its finest‼️ I’m really becoming a major fan of memoirs. It’s something about seeing a person be so vulnerable and allow readers into their personal lives that I find to be quite captivating. Trotter’s story pushes the narrative that it’s hard surviving in an environment designed to destroy you. When faced with adversity you’ll either sink or swim.
“Everyone’s life is defined by a constant state of change, but what does it mean when those changes all come with cortisol-spiking traumas, death, and loss?
The Upcycled Self is broken down into four parts that provide a detailed explanation of what made Trotter the man he is today. Recounting stories that shaped him Trotter discussed the setbacks he experienced, his relationship with his mother, trauma, love, loss, and music.
“OUR LIVES ARE A RESPONSE to the call of our childhoods. Somewhere in the middle echoes of the past, we find our truest selves.”
Overall, I enjoyed this memoir and definitely recommend. It’s fast-paced, very well-written, has a seamless flow with engaging storytelling. It was so easy to connect and sympathize with his personal experiences. The encounters with his mother is where his vulnerability was most evident. “Losing my mother was my greatest motivation, but it was only one of many losses.”
“Everyone’s life is defined by a constant state of change, but what does it mean when those changes all come with cortisol-spiking traumas, death, and loss?
The Upcycled Self is broken down into four parts that provide a detailed explanation of what made Trotter the man he is today. Recounting stories that shaped him Trotter discussed the setbacks he experienced, his relationship with his mother, trauma, love, loss, and music.
“OUR LIVES ARE A RESPONSE to the call of our childhoods. Somewhere in the middle echoes of the past, we find our truest selves.”
Overall, I enjoyed this memoir and definitely recommend. It’s fast-paced, very well-written, has a seamless flow with engaging storytelling. It was so easy to connect and sympathize with his personal experiences. The encounters with his mother is where his vulnerability was most evident. “Losing my mother was my greatest motivation, but it was only one of many losses.”
October 26, 2023
Thank you PRH and NetGalley for blessing my shelves and imagination.
Listen, whatever Black Thought gives attention to elevates to untouchable status. I have been following his career from the early days and relish the moment I met him at a mall in New Orleans wayyyy back (2000) when during the Essence Music Festival.
This memoir was an eye-opening experience because we rarely hear about Trotter in social media. He has overcome some life-changing obstacles that could have left anyone broken. But he made an effort to overcome and push through.
This ended way to soon and I have so many questions left unanswered. This on audiobook read by the author would be fiya!!!!
Listen, whatever Black Thought gives attention to elevates to untouchable status. I have been following his career from the early days and relish the moment I met him at a mall in New Orleans wayyyy back (2000) when during the Essence Music Festival.
This memoir was an eye-opening experience because we rarely hear about Trotter in social media. He has overcome some life-changing obstacles that could have left anyone broken. But he made an effort to overcome and push through.
This ended way to soon and I have so many questions left unanswered. This on audiobook read by the author would be fiya!!!!
January 17, 2024
Pretty good, reads fast due to there being between 2-3 blank/design pages between each chapter.
December 1, 2023
He is just so cool.
February 25, 2025
Such a Vibe
Going to college in Philadelphia in the late 90s meant that I heard The Roots’ music all the time. Beyond that, I didn’t really know anything about Black Thought. He seemed to be very intelligent, which made him incredibly sexy to me. I was excited about the opportunity to learn more about him. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing him tell his story. His conversational delivery was so inviting. His deep voice and Philly accent made the narration even better. I absolutely loved hearing about his upbringing and family. It was really interesting to learn about the origin of The Roots. I’m so glad that I finally got around to this book. It was such an enjoyable experience.
Going to college in Philadelphia in the late 90s meant that I heard The Roots’ music all the time. Beyond that, I didn’t really know anything about Black Thought. He seemed to be very intelligent, which made him incredibly sexy to me. I was excited about the opportunity to learn more about him. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing him tell his story. His conversational delivery was so inviting. His deep voice and Philly accent made the narration even better. I absolutely loved hearing about his upbringing and family. It was really interesting to learn about the origin of The Roots. I’m so glad that I finally got around to this book. It was such an enjoyable experience.
November 18, 2024
The Up-Cycled Self, by Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter is a beautiful written book. It was poetic and visually stimulating. As a fellow Philadelphian, his descriptions had me captivated. Especially when he spoke of South Philly. It brought back memories of being a kid visiting my family in that part of the city. It is definitely diverse as he described.
Another part that blessed me was his relationship with his grandmother Minnie, his mother, Cassie, who was tragically killed, and Questlove.
Great Memoir!
Another part that blessed me was his relationship with his grandmother Minnie, his mother, Cassie, who was tragically killed, and Questlove.
Great Memoir!
May 8, 2025
I enjoyed reading a book where Philly plays such a central role, including the neighborhood we bought our first house in. He does a really great job of making you feel the impact of the crack epidemic and the ways neighborhoods and families were devastated. These were the years of my childhood/adolescence and it’s sobering to consider the question of why did we allow this to happen? How did we let so many children fall through the cracks? His determination, creativity, and resourcefulness is inspiring.
February 17, 2024
4.25
Great audiobook. Trotter’s narration was conversational, making it feel like a live recitation. He discusses what made him who he is - friends, family, art, his neighborhood, the time in which he grew up. A fairly short memoir; I wish there had been more.
Great audiobook. Trotter’s narration was conversational, making it feel like a live recitation. He discusses what made him who he is - friends, family, art, his neighborhood, the time in which he grew up. A fairly short memoir; I wish there had been more.
June 1, 2025
This memoir describes Tariq Trotters coming of age in Philadelphia, between Mount Airy and South Philadelphia. Even though these places are very familiar to me now, it was fascinating to learn about his upbringing in these neighborhoods decades ago, the difficulties he faced and how it made him who he is today. A story about Philadelphia's challenges, pride, and resilience.
October 21, 2025
Really enjoyed. He’s very good at writing about himself
March 1, 2025
The Roots were my first love in Hip-Hop, so the choice to picking up " The Upcycled Self" was initially "rooted" (no pun intended) in my love for Black Thought and his music. This memoir
takes the reader through the childhood of the narrative of his childhood Trotter spends much of the book reflecting past with the perspective of his now wiser adult self. He tells the story of how the efforts of those around him helped him escape the cycle of violence and how his passion for art cultivated his desire to learn and grow.
Though Trotters story telling is nothing short of exceptional, his reflections portraying his "upcycled" perspective was some of his most compelling writing. Reading this book feels like listening to a long form Moth-Radio Hour special and was so engaging. You don't need to love The Roots to enjoy this great book.
takes the reader through the childhood of the narrative of his childhood Trotter spends much of the book reflecting past with the perspective of his now wiser adult self. He tells the story of how the efforts of those around him helped him escape the cycle of violence and how his passion for art cultivated his desire to learn and grow.
Though Trotters story telling is nothing short of exceptional, his reflections portraying his "upcycled" perspective was some of his most compelling writing. Reading this book feels like listening to a long form Moth-Radio Hour special and was so engaging. You don't need to love The Roots to enjoy this great book.
May 6, 2024
This was an insightful book and a really cool look into some of hip hop culture, but also a look into Philly culture and how it has shaped and developed those who come through. I really appreciated the honesty and vulnerability of the story and the admission of faults and differences without judgement. There are so many facets and richness to the story that really made for a fascinating read. I commend him for sharing the good with the bad of his youth and opening up about significant events that shaped him.
I did struggle a bit to connect with some of the writing and formatting in the story. While a lot of the book read like a conversation, there were times where I felt like something in the writing really didn't connect with me. I also felt like the book could have gone farther in an introspective sense and dive into how the man today feels or thinks about his past.
I did struggle a bit to connect with some of the writing and formatting in the story. While a lot of the book read like a conversation, there were times where I felt like something in the writing really didn't connect with me. I also felt like the book could have gone farther in an introspective sense and dive into how the man today feels or thinks about his past.
January 29, 2024
Audiobooked.
One of the most interesting aspects of this book was his cadence of speech. I love how the book was so personal to Trotter.
I loved how central this story is to Philadelphia. This added a new layer of connection that I was able to establish. I really enjoyed this, and it was a wonderful mix of levity and intensity.
One of the most interesting aspects of this book was his cadence of speech. I love how the book was so personal to Trotter.
I loved how central this story is to Philadelphia. This added a new layer of connection that I was able to establish. I really enjoyed this, and it was a wonderful mix of levity and intensity.
November 21, 2023
A phenomenal, courageous work of beauty. I have been a Black Thought fan for decades now and reading his full story reinforced my deep love for his creativity and his determination to let it flourish in spite of personal tragedies and setbacks.
July 11, 2024
I commend Trotter’s bravery to share the many tragedies that shaped his life and art. I enjoyed reading his depiction of life in Philadelphia in the 80’s & early 90’s. I would have liked him to speak more to what he means by The Upcycled Self and what others can learn from his example.
December 12, 2023
Great read
December 29, 2023
Our history leaks a particular radiation into the blood of those born within its city limits. Loyalty, fight, pride, honor. Every piece of my environment contributed to the shaping of my character.
Mine is a communally built self. We are never simply “self-made.”
"You have to commit and ride it out. You don’t always determine the schedule and the timing of your breakthrough. All that’s in your control is your commitment to your dream."
Rating: 5/5
Quotes:
"Here is how you accept and integrate all of the broken pieces of you, jagged from change and consequence. Take them up and dust them off. Consider them, one by one. Be brave enough to love and let go what is no longer needed for this phase of your life. Piece back together what is foundational and give it a home. Reintegrate them and put them to use. They belong to you. They are you. The upcycled self."
"Strong and tender, even when it’s hard."
"Whatever we had would go into one of my lunch boxes, probably my favorite one, which was, ironically, the Dukes of Hazzard lunch box. It had their car, the General Lee, on the front of the box, blazing its Confederate flag. I would leave for school while it was still dark outside or while the sun was just cracking, peeking over the horizon with orange-tinted hues. Here I am, a little Black boy walking to school at dawn with my lunch box and thermos flying the flag of the slaveholding South."
"We played all day, made snow angels, and talked about our girlfriends. I had two of them in the first grade: Rhonda and Tanika."
"We were still learning each other in Mount Airy, my mom and me. Cassie, trying to find her way back to herself and rebuilding a life and lifestyle that she needed for a sense of self-worth. Me, navigating the world then with innocence, curiosity, and awareness, still sheltered and newly introverted, but slowly piecing myself back together and trying to grow. Mount Airy, these walks, the neighborhood, my friends there, would all come back around later in my teens, a reunion of sorts and the beginnings of me seeing that there could be two ways to live, and even die—one filled with peace, tenacity, consistency, and independence; the other, unfocused and riddled with pain and conflict. But for now, my mother’s journey took us elsewhere."
"Cheesesteak lover, with very specific and often generationally passed-down preferences around its maker (Ricci’s, Dalessandro’s, Angelo’s, Max’s)."
"No choice was made for one reason, no act was singular in its desired effect, no decoration could lack function. They did everything with intention."
"Learning to care for someone in their own language, acts of love as natural and consistent and calm as breathing. Love was the essence, the basis of every action, and profound beauty flowed from this commitment. I knew the challenges of the world were real and chaotic and the streets were deadly and tempting, but in their home Minnie and Leemore showed me that an alternate universe of intention and care existed: chosen, built, lived in. Reciprocity so strong that it bound a family and a community: still, deep, and steady. On South 5th Street the banal became art, elevated by a loyal love."
"I was curious as a kid, smart enough to know that asking adults directly for advice or information would lead to skewed answers based on what they wanted me to hear or the limits of their own experience. But if I could observe and see what was said and left unsaid—the meaning conveyed in the lifting of an eyebrow, the modulation of tone, the shifting of shoulders, even what was admitted in a soft voice when no one thought I was paying close attention—then I could learn the truth. My introversion became a new vantage point, a sharper lens allowing me to see the deeper layers of the worlds around me. The revelations of one soul coloring in the mysteries of another."
"My grandmother taught me the importance of surrounding yourself only with the people who have earned the right to be in your space, who have earned your trust, and earned your love, and earned the right to share in your joy. Our paths intertwine with so many people, but there’s a meaningful gap between the real ones and those just passing through."
"We see indigenous communities around the world dedicated to upholding their ceremonies and languages and dances. It’s not just a matter of maintaining their history despite all that they’ve faced—these musical movements also give them a way of seeing and taking care of themselves; in spite of whatever grief that has come to them, their desire to dance and feed their souls is unbroken. That’s what hip-hop was for us."
"Explicit, hypervisual narratives, playing with various flows and different pockets, these wordsmiths’ version of jazz felt intimately familiar, an extension of my own family’s record collections and stories."
"The height of his glory arguably came when Cornbread broke into the Philadelphia Zoo and tagged his name on an elephant."
"There was a deep curiosity in me, sparked by my desire to exist as more than one type of person—a concept heralded by hip-hop culture. It made me want to know more. Made me want to push myself more."
"I always wanted to be the best, to excel in any field I explored, but it’s like there was always one small flaw, a choice whose consequences kept me in the shadows. Wanting and ready for the big moment but never quite getting there alongside my peers. Never finishing CAPA. Not being recognized for my graffiti skills. Somehow always ejected from the center of the scene and forced to watch from the sidelines as everyone else was progressing in their lives. A constant state of comparison, that consistent thief of joy."
"Grimace got his name because he was so black he was purple."
"I had finally settled on my rap name: “Black” came from my skill as a painter. I was fascinated by how the color black was created by blending all the other colors together on your palette, folding the yellows and greens, red and blue pigments into each other to get a shade of pure blackness. It felt like the right metaphor for my life, personally and creatively. “Thought” would follow it, as my intention was to speak my consciousness out loud. It was only over time that I connected those words to ideas of Black pride and critical thinking, but I think that’s why the name was perfect. It grew with me."
"THE DALAI LAMA HAS SAID that death either stops you in your tracks or becomes the fuel that drives you forward. It can put a battery in your back or remove every charge left."
Mine is a communally built self. We are never simply “self-made.”
"You have to commit and ride it out. You don’t always determine the schedule and the timing of your breakthrough. All that’s in your control is your commitment to your dream."
Rating: 5/5
Quotes:
"Here is how you accept and integrate all of the broken pieces of you, jagged from change and consequence. Take them up and dust them off. Consider them, one by one. Be brave enough to love and let go what is no longer needed for this phase of your life. Piece back together what is foundational and give it a home. Reintegrate them and put them to use. They belong to you. They are you. The upcycled self."
"Strong and tender, even when it’s hard."
"Whatever we had would go into one of my lunch boxes, probably my favorite one, which was, ironically, the Dukes of Hazzard lunch box. It had their car, the General Lee, on the front of the box, blazing its Confederate flag. I would leave for school while it was still dark outside or while the sun was just cracking, peeking over the horizon with orange-tinted hues. Here I am, a little Black boy walking to school at dawn with my lunch box and thermos flying the flag of the slaveholding South."
"We played all day, made snow angels, and talked about our girlfriends. I had two of them in the first grade: Rhonda and Tanika."
"We were still learning each other in Mount Airy, my mom and me. Cassie, trying to find her way back to herself and rebuilding a life and lifestyle that she needed for a sense of self-worth. Me, navigating the world then with innocence, curiosity, and awareness, still sheltered and newly introverted, but slowly piecing myself back together and trying to grow. Mount Airy, these walks, the neighborhood, my friends there, would all come back around later in my teens, a reunion of sorts and the beginnings of me seeing that there could be two ways to live, and even die—one filled with peace, tenacity, consistency, and independence; the other, unfocused and riddled with pain and conflict. But for now, my mother’s journey took us elsewhere."
"Cheesesteak lover, with very specific and often generationally passed-down preferences around its maker (Ricci’s, Dalessandro’s, Angelo’s, Max’s)."
"No choice was made for one reason, no act was singular in its desired effect, no decoration could lack function. They did everything with intention."
"Learning to care for someone in their own language, acts of love as natural and consistent and calm as breathing. Love was the essence, the basis of every action, and profound beauty flowed from this commitment. I knew the challenges of the world were real and chaotic and the streets were deadly and tempting, but in their home Minnie and Leemore showed me that an alternate universe of intention and care existed: chosen, built, lived in. Reciprocity so strong that it bound a family and a community: still, deep, and steady. On South 5th Street the banal became art, elevated by a loyal love."
"I was curious as a kid, smart enough to know that asking adults directly for advice or information would lead to skewed answers based on what they wanted me to hear or the limits of their own experience. But if I could observe and see what was said and left unsaid—the meaning conveyed in the lifting of an eyebrow, the modulation of tone, the shifting of shoulders, even what was admitted in a soft voice when no one thought I was paying close attention—then I could learn the truth. My introversion became a new vantage point, a sharper lens allowing me to see the deeper layers of the worlds around me. The revelations of one soul coloring in the mysteries of another."
"My grandmother taught me the importance of surrounding yourself only with the people who have earned the right to be in your space, who have earned your trust, and earned your love, and earned the right to share in your joy. Our paths intertwine with so many people, but there’s a meaningful gap between the real ones and those just passing through."
"We see indigenous communities around the world dedicated to upholding their ceremonies and languages and dances. It’s not just a matter of maintaining their history despite all that they’ve faced—these musical movements also give them a way of seeing and taking care of themselves; in spite of whatever grief that has come to them, their desire to dance and feed their souls is unbroken. That’s what hip-hop was for us."
"Explicit, hypervisual narratives, playing with various flows and different pockets, these wordsmiths’ version of jazz felt intimately familiar, an extension of my own family’s record collections and stories."
"The height of his glory arguably came when Cornbread broke into the Philadelphia Zoo and tagged his name on an elephant."
"There was a deep curiosity in me, sparked by my desire to exist as more than one type of person—a concept heralded by hip-hop culture. It made me want to know more. Made me want to push myself more."
"I always wanted to be the best, to excel in any field I explored, but it’s like there was always one small flaw, a choice whose consequences kept me in the shadows. Wanting and ready for the big moment but never quite getting there alongside my peers. Never finishing CAPA. Not being recognized for my graffiti skills. Somehow always ejected from the center of the scene and forced to watch from the sidelines as everyone else was progressing in their lives. A constant state of comparison, that consistent thief of joy."
"Grimace got his name because he was so black he was purple."
"I had finally settled on my rap name: “Black” came from my skill as a painter. I was fascinated by how the color black was created by blending all the other colors together on your palette, folding the yellows and greens, red and blue pigments into each other to get a shade of pure blackness. It felt like the right metaphor for my life, personally and creatively. “Thought” would follow it, as my intention was to speak my consciousness out loud. It was only over time that I connected those words to ideas of Black pride and critical thinking, but I think that’s why the name was perfect. It grew with me."
"THE DALAI LAMA HAS SAID that death either stops you in your tracks or becomes the fuel that drives you forward. It can put a battery in your back or remove every charge left."
February 28, 2025
Tariq’s story is touching. Using the term up cycle was so important. We are constantly reevaluating and reusing the same materials that were fed to us at crucial times in our life. We have to make the decision to throw away some things (like his learned violent reactions to conflict) or repurpose them to mean something else, but we are always using them. Whether we use them for good, or to fuel out creativity, or as a crutch.
This memoir had three main takeaways for me
1) Trotter went through a lot. Things I couldn’t imagine going through. But somehow I found myself identifying with a lot of the ways his traumas manifested themselves. Knowing he was able to overcome these things through the mistakes he made was inspiring.
2) Hip hop is a conglomeration of artforms. I feel like today we think of hip hop as purely the music, but its important to know that multiple art forms developed alongside each other under the umbrella term “hip hop” it was fascinating to get a glimpse of what that overtaking was like, and how it bonded communities.
3) Our lives are sooo inexplicably colored. I feel like another person could have experienced what trotter experienced with his mother and taken a completely different approach to it. And Trotter actually mentions this multiple times, mainly with his brother. Its an explanation for the divine to me— the variance of humans in that way. literally why are we all sooo different but so the same
This memoir had three main takeaways for me
1) Trotter went through a lot. Things I couldn’t imagine going through. But somehow I found myself identifying with a lot of the ways his traumas manifested themselves. Knowing he was able to overcome these things through the mistakes he made was inspiring.
2) Hip hop is a conglomeration of artforms. I feel like today we think of hip hop as purely the music, but its important to know that multiple art forms developed alongside each other under the umbrella term “hip hop” it was fascinating to get a glimpse of what that overtaking was like, and how it bonded communities.
3) Our lives are sooo inexplicably colored. I feel like another person could have experienced what trotter experienced with his mother and taken a completely different approach to it. And Trotter actually mentions this multiple times, mainly with his brother. Its an explanation for the divine to me— the variance of humans in that way. literally why are we all sooo different but so the same
March 21, 2024
As a hip-hop fan and avid listener of The Roots, I was very excited to read The Upcycled Self by Tariq Trotter. While I had sifted through stories about the group from Questlove's books, I looked forward to reading personal accounts from Tariq Trotter. The Upcycled Self did not disappoint!
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know more about Trotter through the stories he told. I felt as though I was walking down the streets with him as his beautiful words painted pictures of Philadelphia. It was a treat getting to learn more about him through his descriptions of his loved ones and those he was most influenced by. And I appreciated the vulnerability he possessed when sharing early stories about "the fire," his mother, and parts of himself I'd never heard him speak candidly about before.
The Upcycled Self was a treat for me as I know it will be for fans and others as well. The only thing I wished for was that the book was longer. I found myself wanting to know more about this brilliant man I've grown to adore through verse and style over the years.
Many thanks to Random House and Netgalley for the eARC!
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know more about Trotter through the stories he told. I felt as though I was walking down the streets with him as his beautiful words painted pictures of Philadelphia. It was a treat getting to learn more about him through his descriptions of his loved ones and those he was most influenced by. And I appreciated the vulnerability he possessed when sharing early stories about "the fire," his mother, and parts of himself I'd never heard him speak candidly about before.
The Upcycled Self was a treat for me as I know it will be for fans and others as well. The only thing I wished for was that the book was longer. I found myself wanting to know more about this brilliant man I've grown to adore through verse and style over the years.
Many thanks to Random House and Netgalley for the eARC!
April 18, 2024
4.5: An inspiring, introspective story about the life about one of the greatest MCs of all time. One of the best part of this audiobook was the candence in how he delivered the story, it felt like an unrehearsed conversation that was so unique and engaging. Highly recommend.
"I was curious as a kid, smart enough to know that asking adults directly for advice or information would lead to skewed answers based on what they wanted me to hear or the limits of their own experience. But if I could observe and see what was said and left unsaid—the meaning conveyed in the lifting of an eyebrow, the modulation of tone, the shifting of shoulders, even what was admitted in a soft voice when no one thought I was paying close attention—then I could learn the truth. My introversion became a new vantage point, a sharper lens allowing me to see the deeper layers of the worlds around me. The revelations of one soul coloring in the mysteries of another."
"I was curious as a kid, smart enough to know that asking adults directly for advice or information would lead to skewed answers based on what they wanted me to hear or the limits of their own experience. But if I could observe and see what was said and left unsaid—the meaning conveyed in the lifting of an eyebrow, the modulation of tone, the shifting of shoulders, even what was admitted in a soft voice when no one thought I was paying close attention—then I could learn the truth. My introversion became a new vantage point, a sharper lens allowing me to see the deeper layers of the worlds around me. The revelations of one soul coloring in the mysteries of another."
January 22, 2025
The upcycled self
A memoir of the art of becoming who we are.
Writen by Tariq Trotter. Better known by the name Black Thought. Who is a founding member of one of the best hiphop groups The Roots, and also one of my all time favorite MCs. I was very curious how Trotter was with writing, because he is such a skilled rapper who is always great with words. I was not dissapointed, my brother gave this as a gift, and it was a wonderfull book. Trotter tells of his difficult childhood, as a kid he burned his house down, and him and his family lost everything. His mother was a addict and his father got killed, its very inspiring to read someone who came from this far and becoming a icon in my opinion. He tells the story of how he met Ahmir Thompson/Questlove, and how they started The Roots (then square roots) but this is mostly about his youth, and the stuff that shaped him. Its also about trauma, discovery and loss. This was like all Black Thoughts lyrics, hardhitting, insightfull and just great.
A memoir of the art of becoming who we are.
Writen by Tariq Trotter. Better known by the name Black Thought. Who is a founding member of one of the best hiphop groups The Roots, and also one of my all time favorite MCs. I was very curious how Trotter was with writing, because he is such a skilled rapper who is always great with words. I was not dissapointed, my brother gave this as a gift, and it was a wonderfull book. Trotter tells of his difficult childhood, as a kid he burned his house down, and him and his family lost everything. His mother was a addict and his father got killed, its very inspiring to read someone who came from this far and becoming a icon in my opinion. He tells the story of how he met Ahmir Thompson/Questlove, and how they started The Roots (then square roots) but this is mostly about his youth, and the stuff that shaped him. Its also about trauma, discovery and loss. This was like all Black Thoughts lyrics, hardhitting, insightfull and just great.
January 9, 2024
Grammy- award winning, co-founder of The Roots and MC, better known as Black Thought, pens an insightful, fiery, and soulful memoir. Opening up with setting fire to his childhood home, Trotter recounts the struggles and the victories that came with growing up in Philadelphia in the 70s and 80s. From selling crack to becoming a graffiti artist to embracing rap and hip hop; art became the savior and the lifeline that he embraced. The Upcycled Self is broken into four relationships that made him the man he is today; community, friends, art, and family. Each relationship is expanded with vignettes from his childhood some humorous, many heartbreaking and emotional. Poetic and masterfully written, this memoir is narrated by Black Thought himself, which makes the audiobook even more powerful and passionate. This will resonate with hip hop lovers, Roots fans, and those who love a good memoir. The only negative is the short length, readers will want more!
December 19, 2024
I mean… it’s The Pen God himself, Black Thought. I loved his words and music via Audible and now THISSSS. Honestly, this man has such a magnificent command of the English language that he engulfs me as I read/listen to him string em together as if it’s light work!! I also love hearing him describe the love that he had for his Ma, Gma and Ahmir. Heck, the way that he describes Ahmir makes me want to love him too lol!! I love hearing black men love on one another; that part really almost brought me to tears. Anyhoos, I loved—loved—-LOVED this book. I’m mad I sat on it for so long and I can’t wait to go back to it and experience this love story again and again.
*THE UPCYCLED SELF* chefs kiss Tariq. TOPS!!!
*THE UPCYCLED SELF* chefs kiss Tariq. TOPS!!!
November 20, 2023
Mr. Trotter shared at a recent book launch that I attended that his desire is to help others. His book gave me insight not only into his life but life overall. There were many profound statements that I highlighted because they confirmed something or caused me to think in a different way. Mr. Trotter also shared at the book launch that he feels like a heavy weight was lifted after the book was finished. I appreciate his honesty about still having a lot of unanswered questions about his life and how patience is his power. I have no doubt that Mr. Trotter will continue to upcycle beautifully.
“The choices they made influence my own, then and now, until I consciously decide differently”.
“So many of us learned to hunch ourselves in the face of rejection and negation and deprivation. What if we straightened our spines, fixed every vertebrae?”
“I was curious as a kid, smart enough to know that asking adults directly for advice or information would lead to skewed answers based on what they wanted me to hear or the limits of their own experience”.
“Somehow always ejected from the center of the scene and forced to watch from the sidelines as everyone else was progressing in their lives. A constant state of comparison, that consistent thief of joy”.
“The choices they made influence my own, then and now, until I consciously decide differently”.
“So many of us learned to hunch ourselves in the face of rejection and negation and deprivation. What if we straightened our spines, fixed every vertebrae?”
“I was curious as a kid, smart enough to know that asking adults directly for advice or information would lead to skewed answers based on what they wanted me to hear or the limits of their own experience”.
“Somehow always ejected from the center of the scene and forced to watch from the sidelines as everyone else was progressing in their lives. A constant state of comparison, that consistent thief of joy”.
May 2, 2025
This one surprised me a bit! When this was announced as this year’s “One Book, One Philadelphia” selection, I didn’t feel immediately drawn to it. It’s honestly pretty rare for me to pick up a memoir written by a man. But I ended up really enjoying Tariq Trotter’s recounting of his childhood in Philly and his deep connections to so much of the city’s culture.
There are a lot of beautiful insights in here about adapting and learning from trauma, and how Trotter witnessed both the best and the worst parts of humanity in the streets of 1980s South Philadelphia. I also didn’t realize he was so involved in Philly’s street art scene — and I especially loved reading about how his teen years intersected with the rise of graffiti art and what is now known as the Mural Arts Program.
I did wish this was just a little longer, with a bit more insight into the early days of The Roots! The musical success that Trotter eventually enjoys as Black Thought is treated as bit of an afterthought.
There are a lot of beautiful insights in here about adapting and learning from trauma, and how Trotter witnessed both the best and the worst parts of humanity in the streets of 1980s South Philadelphia. I also didn’t realize he was so involved in Philly’s street art scene — and I especially loved reading about how his teen years intersected with the rise of graffiti art and what is now known as the Mural Arts Program.
I did wish this was just a little longer, with a bit more insight into the early days of The Roots! The musical success that Trotter eventually enjoys as Black Thought is treated as bit of an afterthought.
March 13, 2024
Before reading this, I didn't know much about Black Thought or how the Roots came to be. It was so interesting to see where he came from and hear his experiences growing up in South Philly. I love the idea of "The upcycled self" taking a bad situation and turning it into something great. As he talked a lot about in the book, there were so many people around him that weren't able to do the same and went down the "wrong" paths.
April 30, 2025
Finished this just in time for book club! This is Tariq Trotter’s love letter to the people who shaped him, but most of all it is a love letter to Philly. He captures something about Philly’s essence and duality that I have always struggled to articulate - its harshness and struggle but also its loyalty and community.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews