Jonathan Abrams

I'm thrilled to announce my new book, THE COME UP: An Oral History of the Rise of Hip-Hop. It comes out on 10.18.22, and it's available for preorder now: penguinrandomhouse.com/books/605156/t…

The Tity Boi to @2chainz evolution is a bestselling book. Behind the scenes with the Atlanta artist to talk about "The Voice in My Head Is God." nytimes.com/2026/03/19/art…

The crossover that went too far for the NBA. New with @taniaganguli on the Hawks, Magic City and the wings you'll never have. nytimes.com/2026/03/15/bus…

The Wire ended 18 yrs ago today. It’s been taught in Ivy League schools, law schools & film schools. David Simon was interviewed by a sitting president about its lasting impact. Cited in a State Supreme Court ruling. Often hailed by critics as the best ever. Never won an Emmy.

Can't believe it’s been 20 years since Three 6 Mafia made history at the Academy Awards. I took a deep dive into the legacy of "It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp" and the night Memphis took over Hollywood. nytimes.com/2026/03/06/art…

The winners of #Survivor are celebrated, but what about those who don't make it beyond the first vote? As Season 50 begins, I talked to the "first boots" about being voted out before the game has really began.  nytimes.com/2026/02/28/art….

Proud of my guy ⁦@ChristopherHine⁩ with his excellent first book on Ant

The Story Behind Juvenile’s ‘Back That Azz Up’ - The New York Times nytimes.com/2024/07/04/art…

@jpdabrams writes on his firsthand understanding of Tupac Shakur’s legacy, and the moment when grand jury testimony offered an official account of Shakur’s murder. nyti.ms/3FKFDBa

EXCITED my first spoken word poetry album with music is now available on streaming platforms: GROCERY SHOPPING WITH MY MOTHER. I am humbly asking you listen closely, share with others, please. Going for Grammy consideration for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album.

Incredible story from @Jpdabrams on the massive sea change coming to the world of breaking in Paris 2024 - and how a sport built on culture and expression views this huge moment: nytimes.com/2023/10/10/art…

~30 years after Tupac’s murder, new court documents — + the tell-all memoir & interviews of Keffe D — are turning decades of speculation, street gossip & internet innuendo into the most definitive account yet of how and why Tupac died... our story nytimes.com/2023/10/05/art…

The essential oral history of hip-hop is now out in paperback! Learn about the origins of the most popular music genre in America from the people who were there and made it happen in @Jpdabrams's THE COME UP. penguinrandomhouse.com/books/605156/t…

Come kick it with me and @dancharnas @Jpdabrams and @kevin_powell on Sunday, Oct 1, where I will moderate a panel discussion about hip hop music and culture from the unique perspectives explored in #DillaTime #TheComeUp and #TheKevinPowellReader. Thank you @BKBF for having me.

@CoachLuuu Watch it first!

@Jpdabrams Do I need to watch all of the Wire before reading your book? I just picked it up but I am only on season 1 of the show!

Happy to share the paperback edition of The Come Up is out on 10/3. @crownpublishing

@MarkPalermo Thanks!

I made this (mostly) chronological playlist of every rap song mentioned in @jpdabrams book THE COME-UP. I figured anyone reading it would want that resource. shorturl.at/ampvS

@EghosaO Appreciate it

Superbly written piece by @Jpdabrams on retired #NFL QB Alex Smith digging deep in the troughs of his travails to give his daughter the strength to battle hers. nytimes.com/2023/09/01/spo… Just realized he is the writer of many great the-human[s]-behind-the-sport stories. Well done.

And ... here we go. WHY WE LOVE BASEBALL is out TODAY, available everywhere, and I hope you love it.