Marcus J. Moore is a music journalist, editor, curator, pundit, professor, and author of The Butterfly Effect: How Kendrick Lamar Ignited the Soul of Black America. He co-leads the jazz-focused ""5 Minutes That Will Make You Love..."" series at the New York Times. His work has appeared in The Nation, The Atlantic, Bandcamp Daily (an editorial platform he helped launch), NPR, Pitchfork, TIME, Entertainment Weekly, TIDAL, GQ, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone.
'High And Rising is, among other things, a love letter, but not one grounded solely in the romantics of the past. Nostalgia enriches the storytelling, the touchability of this historic group, but it is also an ode to how they touched the present, and how they will endlessly touch the future.' - Hanif Abdurraqib, New York Times bestselling author of There's Always This Year 'High and Rising reads like a movie. Comprehensive, true to life, and as irreverent as De La Soul themselves. Brother Marcus sets the record(s) straight. History and memoir from the soul.' - Leslie Odom Jr., Tony and Grammy award-winning artist of Hamilton 'I am a sucker for a book written by a smart person about a thing they love, which is exactly what Marcus J. Moore's High and Rising is, wherein he simultaneously examines and galvanizes De La Soul's impact on, and legacy in, Hip-Hop. There are tidbits and anecdotes and asides and insights, and those are all great, but what makes High and Rising feel special-and what makes Marcus J. Moore such a compelling author-are the moments where Moore marries those things all together into a grander idea. Buy this book. - Shea Serrano, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Rap Yearbook 'A brave exploration of De La Soul as a band with two legacies: first, the buoyant debut that inspired a generation, and then their ongoing rejection of the very ethos that made them so inspiring. No history of De La is complete without both.' - Dan Charnas, author of Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, the Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm 'Equal parts passion and history. Marcus J. Moore seamlessly weaves a narrative that not only details the journey of De La Soul, but places their legendary story within the context of Hip-Hop as a whole. The result is a work that-much like De La themselves-will stand the test of time. For the true De La heads, this story is just as informative as it is heartwarming (and aching) in parts. And for those who don't know the story behind one of the most influential groups in music history, this is an excellent start.' - Kathy Iandoli, author of God Save The Queens: The Essential History of Women In Hip-Hop 'A love letter to one of the greatest rap groups of all time, written with deep reverence and sincerity. Marcus J. Moore's High and Rising gives new voice to a generation of Hip-Hop outcasts, much like De La's debut did 35 years earlier. Strictly Dan Stuckie.' - Phonte Coleman, Grammy nominated singer, rapper, producer of Little Brother and The Foreign Exchange 'More than just a book about De La Soul, High and Rising is a thoroughly researched anthropological history and a compelling, deeply personal memoir. Marcus J. Moore managed to tell the story of most beloved and respected groups of all time while capturing the golden era of Hip-Hop.' - Michael Harriot, New York Times bestselling author of Black AF History