Drake is the latest mainstream musician to drop a book of poetry, releasing his latest work, Titles Ruin Everything, this week.
While it hasn’t exactly received rave reviews from studied poets in the game, its attachment to one of the greatest artists of a generation guarantees that both his most loyal fans and indifferent, yet curious, lit-lovers will at the very least pick up the pun-heavy tome and dive into its topics of love, fame, friendship and more.
The Canadian MC is far from the only artist – or even rapper – to drop a collection of poems, as he now joins some of the most respected lyricists in Hip-Hop and R&B in bringing his work to the masses via the page rather than the booth.
Check out other books of poetry written by some of music’s most respected pens below.
-
‘The Rose That Grew From Concrete’ by Tupac Shakur
Image Credit: Photo by Steve Eichner/Getty Images
The most notable collection of poems written by an MC, Tupac Shakur‘s The Rose That Grew From Concrete was first published in 1999, three years after his untimely 1996 death.
Published through Pocket Books‘ MTV Books imprint, the collection contains several pieces the All Eyez On Me artist wrote between 1989 and 1991, both printed out and in photocopies of pages ripped straight from his notebooks.
Paving the way for Drizzy’s own poetic self-reflections, ‘Pac largely addressed love and heartbreak within his early work, with several poems dedicated to various women in his life, including two written in homage to Jada Pinkett Smith (“Jada” and “The Tears In Cupid’s Eyes”).
He also addressed topics ranging from fine art and friendship to poverty and politics. -
‘2Fish: (a poetry book)’ by Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo
Image Credit: Photo by Steve Jennings/Getty Images.
For day one fans, Jhené Aiko’s 2017 release 2Fish: (a poetry book) was long overdue, as the songstress’ songwriting skills were clearly honed thanks to her years of penning poetry before her full-time commitment to music kicked in.
The precocious child began writing poetry at the age of 6, and has yet to give her pen a rest, as her first published book contains pieces written throughout her childhood and into adulthood, covering topics ranging from loss and grief to insecurity and inadequacy.
Upon the book’s release back in 2017, Jhené shared with VIBE, “Poetry is everything to me. It doesn’t have to be a certain format. It doesn’t have to rhyme. It’s also a form of storytelling. If things are said poetically, or with a nice rhythm—then it is a poem. It’s all about the rhythm, language and even how it looks on paper to me.”
-
‘Tears for Water: Poetry & Lyrics’ by Alicia Keys
Image Credit: Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival.
Alicia Keys made her contribution to the art form with 2004’s Tears for Water: Poetry & Lyrics, taking its title from her poem “Love And Chains” where she declares, “I don’t mind drinking my tears for water.”
The collection included 27 poems and lyrics found on her first two albums, 2001’s Songs In A Minor and 2003’s The Diary Of Alicia Keys. The tome also made The New York Times Bestseller’s List.
One poem, “Is It Insane,” served as the foundation for the stand-out ballad of the same name on Keys’ 2021 release, KEYS, 17 years later.
To promote the book, Keys hit up HBO’s Def Poetry to perform one of her favorite’s “P.O.W.” Check out Keys’ performance below. -
‘The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours: The Poetry of Jill Scott’ by Jill Scott
Image Credit: Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
A poet long before signing her first deal, Jill Scott came up in Philly’s spoken word scene and continued to put her pen to use throughout her career, releasing The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours: The Poetry of Jill Scott in 2005.
Compiled of poems written from 1991 onward, Scott tackles a myriad of subjects that showcase her awareness of the Philly streets surrounding her, as well as the nature of the world we all inhabit. From body image and beauty standards to taking on the Catholic Church, Scott used her gift of elevated wordplay to make a lasting impression on anyone who reveres the written word.
Like Keys, Scott also took to HBO’s Def Poetry to recite a favorite from her bestseller, impressing the crowd with “Nothing Is For Nothing.” Check out the clip below.