Blink acquires the “fascinating and moving” autobiography of music artist, Tricky
Senior Commissioning Editor Kerri Sharp acquired world rights from K7 Music.
Blink, an imprint of Bonnier Books UK, has acquired the autobiography of music artist, Tricky. Commissioning Editor Kerri Sharp acquired World rights from K7 Music – the independent music company headquartered in Berlin, where Tricky now lives.
Tricky’s layered, down-tempo hip-hop took the UK by storm in the early 1990s and was part of the sound that defined the post-rave generation. His first solo album, ‘Maxinquaye’ went gold, sold 800,000 copies worldwide, was NME’s album of the year in 1995 and nominated for that year’s Mercury prize. Since then he has recorded a further twelve albums.
Before his musical career, however, there was a boy who grew up in one the UK’s most deprived areas – Bristol’s Knowle West – alongside family members that included gangsters and bare-knuckle boxers. His story will be a fascinating and moving slice of social and multi-cultural history packed with hair-raising anecdotes from inside and outside the music business. Tricky will also speak candidly about how his mother’s suicide has had a lifelong effect on him, both creatively and psychologically, and how an artist from the West Country went on to find lasting international acclaim.
“Tricky’s sound and lyrics stopped everyone dead in their tracks in the early ’90s with their originality … I’m delighted to be working with such an original artist on such a unique life story.”
Kerri Sharp, Commissioning Editor, Blink
Sharp said: ‘Tricky’s sound and lyrics stopped everyone dead in their tracks in the early ’90s with their originality. Who could ever forget, “Say reduce me, seduce me, dress me up in Stussy”? I’m delighted to be working with such an original artist on such a unique life story.’
The book will be written with music writer Andrew Perry. The idea grew out of an interview for Q Magazine around Tricky’s last album ‘Ununiform’ in 2017. Rachael Patterson, Tricky’s manager at K7 Music said: ’Andrew’s prior work with Kerri, as well the genuine enthusiasm shown by Blink’s wonderful marketing team, meant they were the number one choice.’
Blink will publish the as yet untitled book as a £20 Hardback in October 2019.
