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Nine Lives
Biography of Rap Musicians of Great Britain.
- GenresMusicBiographyNonfiction
279 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 14, 2016
“He should stick to music, man. He is a fucking rubbish actor.” This is a quote from Goldie’s friend - and former Oasis member - Noel Gallagher. Throughout this autobiography there are interjections from some of the drum n bass’ stars other friends including David Bowie and Pete Tong. I liked the style of switching between Goldie as the narrator, and the contributions from his pals. The fact that not all the interjections are necessarily complimentary is something that I think added to the authenticity of Goldie’s memoir.
I very much enjoy reading the life stories of subjects that I didn’t know much about before - to me it feels like watching a biopic about somebody that I’m not a fan of: no pressure from my point of view since I have little or no point of reference. Under these circumstances I tend to enjoy the whole experience more - provided it’s an interesting story. Goldie’s Nine Lives is certainly interesting, and apart from where it gets repetitive at times, it is very well put together. There are beautiful photos of the artist’s graffiti from the 80’s. I never knew Goldie (real name Clifford Joseph Price) was sexually abused as a child, and that he was put into foster care. I didn’t know that Goldie made a sixty minute song in which he attempts to overcome the demons of his fractured relationship with the woman who gave birth to him called “Mother.” Goldie’s story is clearly one of triumph over adversity. His life story has taken so many twists and turns from his horrific childhood abandoned by his parents and left in the care of social services to his coming of age as a graffiti writer, and then worldwide success as a musician, label owner, promoter, DJ and actor - although not a very good one according to some of his friends!
There are the probably expected tales of women - Bjork, Naomi Campbell - , drugs, and the “cliched” rock star debauchery. And there are refreshingly honest quotes from the artist himself, “I defy anybody who came from where I did not to be changed or affected by the fame and wealth I achieved.” Hear, hear.
Nine Lives was published in 2002. Now fifty years old I read somewhere that Goldie is a Yogi. This is of particular interest to me because spirituality is a theme that runs throughout his autobiography, and there is something very sweet about a man appearing to find some sort of balance in his middle ages, after an… unfortunate start. Talent, superseding your circumstances, and a positive ending - all the ingredients that make a story very sweet to me.
I very much enjoy reading the life stories of subjects that I didn’t know much about before - to me it feels like watching a biopic about somebody that I’m not a fan of: no pressure from my point of view since I have little or no point of reference. Under these circumstances I tend to enjoy the whole experience more - provided it’s an interesting story. Goldie’s Nine Lives is certainly interesting, and apart from where it gets repetitive at times, it is very well put together. There are beautiful photos of the artist’s graffiti from the 80’s. I never knew Goldie (real name Clifford Joseph Price) was sexually abused as a child, and that he was put into foster care. I didn’t know that Goldie made a sixty minute song in which he attempts to overcome the demons of his fractured relationship with the woman who gave birth to him called “Mother.” Goldie’s story is clearly one of triumph over adversity. His life story has taken so many twists and turns from his horrific childhood abandoned by his parents and left in the care of social services to his coming of age as a graffiti writer, and then worldwide success as a musician, label owner, promoter, DJ and actor - although not a very good one according to some of his friends!
There are the probably expected tales of women - Bjork, Naomi Campbell - , drugs, and the “cliched” rock star debauchery. And there are refreshingly honest quotes from the artist himself, “I defy anybody who came from where I did not to be changed or affected by the fame and wealth I achieved.” Hear, hear.
Nine Lives was published in 2002. Now fifty years old I read somewhere that Goldie is a Yogi. This is of particular interest to me because spirituality is a theme that runs throughout his autobiography, and there is something very sweet about a man appearing to find some sort of balance in his middle ages, after an… unfortunate start. Talent, superseding your circumstances, and a positive ending - all the ingredients that make a story very sweet to me.
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January 26, 2025Amazing book, I learned so much about life in working class midlands in the 80s. the Rastafarianism movement, B-Boys and breaking when it first emerged in the UK and influence from US. Golide’s multidisciplinary practice and approach to creating is so inspiring. Then about the emergence of Jungle - DJ Kemi and Storm. Will definitely re-read because there’s so much in here.
February 22, 2020
Interesting story of his rise to fame
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews