In the Book Notes series, authors create and discuss a music playlist that relates in some way to their recently published book.
Previous contributors include Jesmyn Ward, Lauren Groff, Bret Easton Ellis, Celeste Ng, T.C. Boyle, Dana Spiotta, Amy Bloom, Aimee Bender, Roxane Gay, and many others.
J K Chukwu’s The Unfortunates is a spellbinding debut, a coming-of-age novel as powerful as it is timely. One of the year’s best books.
BookPage wrote of the book:
“The Unfortunates is a powerful call to arms by a promising young writer who is not afraid to take risks, and for that we are very fortunate indeed.”
In her own words, here is J K Chukwu’s Book Notes music playlist for her debut novel The Unfortunates:
In The Unfortunates, music is everywhere, appearing in Sahara’s playlists, song parodies, and track titles. Music helped me discover the novel’s experimental form, and when I needed to jog my memories, it transported me back to 2013, the year of the novel’s setting. For this playlist, I’ve included a few of my favorite songs, which either appear or inspire aspects of The Unfortunates.
Giorgio by Moroder by Daft Punk
A brilliant song, where Giorgio Moroder, a founding force in disco and electronic music, describes how he discovered his unique style. When thinking of how I wanted to format The Unfortunates, I returned to this song, taking inspiration from Giorgio combining different sonic elements to create an art form, which was unique and beautifully inventive.
This is America by Childish Gambino
While writing the vignette plays for The Unfortunates, I returned to this song’s music video. The sharp shifts in tone, the controlled yet slightly unhinged movements of Gambino, the video’s general freneticism became a reference point for the novel’s darkly surreal and satirical plays.
Sweet Mother by Prince Nico Mbarga & Rocafil Jazz
Growing up, this song always appeared on a playlist during Nigerian events. Without fail, it was a crowd hit, getting the uncles, aunties, and a couple of priests dancing. In the book’s opening where Sahara reflects on her childhood growing up half-Nigerian, I had no choice but to include this song.
Don’t Fucking Tell Me What To Do by Robyn
One of my favorites while I was in college. Though not included in the book, this song channels Sahara’s routines for self-deprecation, destruction, and her initial resistance to beginning her journey of healing.
Water No Get Enemy by Fela Kuti
In The Unfortunates, the track title, “Vodka Get No Enemy,” is a riff on this Fela song. While in the Fela song, he speaks of water’s power, in the track, “Vodka Get No Enemy,” Sahara excessively drinks at a bar, hoping that by the night’s end, the liquor will make her seem happy to C1, a friend she fears and admires.
Two Hearts in 3/4th Time by the Avalanches
In “Two Hearts in 3/4th” time, the song opens with a fun, whimsical singing and turning of the notes; however, toward the song’s end, there’s a switch to chaotic rushing and sounds overlapping one another. As I searched for songs to help place myself in Sahara’s dynamic with Mariah, this song became the first of many.
Step Into a World (Rapture’s Delight) by KRS-One
I love this song. The fast lyrical movement, the hypnotic melody, the augmented instruments, create an all-consuming atmosphere. This song is the title for one of my favorite tracks in the novel, “Step in Their World (Money’s Delight).”
Show Me Love by Robin S. and Sandeville
A ‘90s house song, which Sahara includes on her “Heal ‘14” playlist. This song with its proclamations for love and frenzied tempo reflect Sahara’s mental state toward the novel’s end.
After the lessons she’s learned, Sahara’s ready to demand love from herself.
J K CHUKWU is a writer and visual artist from the Midwest. She holds an MFA in literary arts from Brown University and was a 2019 Lambda Literary Fellow. Her work has appeared in Black Warrior Review, DIAGRAM, and TAYO Literary Magazine.