Prisoner-turned-poet Dwayne Betts shares Reagan-era q playlist
Dwayne Betts says music inspired his new book of poetry, which explores the connection between the Reagan era and his own jail sentence.
In the latest instalment of q's playlist series, Dwayne Betts walks Shad through the music that inspired his new book of poetry: Bastards of The Reagan Era.
Betts' work explores the mass incarceration of black men during the Reagan era — including his own jail sentence. He explains how he went from good student to inmate to community leader to Yale law student, and the personal soundtrack that played in the backdrop.
His newly released book is receiving critical praise.
WEB EXTRA | In order of on-air play, here are the songs that Betts selected for his playlist. (Please note: the videos contain explicit language.)
Killer Mike — Reagan
Nas — One Love
Public Enemy — Night of The Living Baseheads
Scarface — I Seen A Man Die
Nas — One Love
Public Enemy — Night of The Living Baseheads
Scarface — I Seen A Man Die