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Jeffrey Boakye Books

Jeffrey Boakye’s Musical World presents an exploration of 20th and 21st-century global history through the lens of 40 influential songs. By examining artists like Shakira and John Lennon, Boakye reveals how music reflects pivotal historical moments and social changes worldwide, offering a unique and accessible way for young teens to engage with significant historical events and understand the link between music and global issues.

This book is the follow-up to Musical Truth, which focuses on British history, whereas Musical World widens out into a global perspective. Both can be read and enjoyed as standalones.

With its playlist format spanning a range of musical genres, the book introduces important artists alongside topics like discrimination and liberation. Musical World provides a unique and thought-provoking experience of learning, which is bound to offer young people an appealing way to engage with global history. By encouraging critical thinking and harnessing the power of music to connect with and comment on the world around us, the book becomes a highly valuable and appealing non-fiction choice for children in today’s secondary schools.

Jeffrey Boakye’s Musical Truth is a captivating journey through more than seventy years of black British musical history. The book serves as both a historical guide for children and young people, introducing them to remarkable artists, and a trip down memory lane for adults. Boakye’s personal touch is evident from the introduction, as he reflects on his own experiences growing up in the 1980s, a time that will seem distant for younger readers and recent and relevant to others.

Written in the first person, Musical Truth is a treasure trove of songs and artists, some familiar and others less known, offering readers a rich tapestry of musical heritage. The book’s structure, with its short and pithy chapters, makes it easy to digest, allowing readers to quickly gain knowledge and historical facts and uncover hidden gems.

One of the most engaging aspects of the book is its ability to inspire readers to explore further. As you read, you might find yourself pausing to check out old video clips, playlists, and hunt for footage on YouTube. Boakye even provides a dedicated playlist at musicaltruthplaylist.co.uk, ensuring that the musical journey continues beyond the pages of the book.

Beware though, you might lose an entire morning immersed in music – although that’s hardly a bad thing! Musical Truth is not just a book; it’s an experience that celebrates the impact of black British artists on our musical landscape. Whether you’re a young reader discovering these artists for the first time or an adult reminiscing about the past, Boakye’s work is a testament to the enduring power of music and its ability to connect us across generations, as well as offering political commentary on modern Britain today through the lens of Black music.

Kofi had an idea….one big lightning bolt of an idea that hit him like electricity. And all it needed was Kelvin’s incredible memory for words.

Kofi is used to stuff going wrong, he’s usually in detention or about to be. But when he finds out his best friend Kelvin has a photographic memory, he comes up with a genius money-making scheme. The whole school is obsessed with music, no one can ever make out the words, so the boys hit the jackpot selling a new fanzine full of song lyrics: PAPER JAM. It’s not long before one of the teacher’s tells Kofi: ‘You could be a real leader at this school, you know that?’ and . . . suddenly it’s turning out to be the best summer ever!

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