Gone Til' November: A Journal of Rikers Island

Last updated
Gone Til' November: A Journal of Rikers Island
Gone Til' November A Journal of Rikers Island.jpg
AuthorDwayne Michael Carter Jr. (Lil Wayne)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreMemoir
PublishedOctober 11, 2016
PublisherPlume Books
ISBN 978-1-911274-69-8

Gone Til' November: A Journal of Rikers Island is a prison memoir from the diary of American rap artist, Lil Wayne. [1] It was initially published on October 11, 2016, via Plume Books, a subdivision of Penguin Books. The book describes Wayne's experience on New York prison Rikers Island, where he was incarcerated for eight months in 2010. [2] The book details, among other things how Wayne served as a suicide prevention aide as well as how he attempted suicide himself. [3]

Reception

Upon release, Gone Til' November received mostly positive reviews from readers and critics alike with Rolling Stone naming it a 2016 "must-read". [4] However some, like the LA Times, criticized the book for a lack of discussion of serious issues faced by the majority of inmates in prison. [5]

Related Research Articles

Adams Song 2000 single by Blink-182

"Adam's Song" is a song recorded by the American rock band Blink-182 for its third studio album, Enema of the State (1999). It was released as the third and final single from Enema of the State on September 5, 2000 through MCA Records. "Adam's Song" shares writing credits between the band's guitarist Tom DeLonge and bassist Mark Hoppus, but Hoppus was the primary composer of the song. The track concerns suicide, depression and loneliness. It incorporates a piano in its bridge section and was regarded as one of the most serious songs the band had written to that point.

Lil Wayne American rapper, record executive, and actor from Louisiana

Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record executive, entrepreneur, and actor. He is regarded by many contemporaries as one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation, and often cited as one of the greatest rappers of all time. His career began in 1996, at the age of 13, when he was discovered by Birdman and joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label. He joined the southern hip hop group Hot Boys, with Cash Money label-mates Juvenile and Turk, in 1997, who became popular following the release of the album Guerrilla Warfare (1999) and the song "Bling Bling". For many years, Lil Wayne was the flagship artist of Cash Money Records, before ending his long-tenured deal with the company in June 2018.

Rikers Island Island in the East River between Queens and the Bronx that is home to New York Citys main jail complex

Rikers Island is a 413.17-acre (167.20-hectare) island in the East River between Queens and the Bronx that is home to New York City's main jail complex. Supposedly named after Abraham Rycken, who bought the island in 1664, the island was originally under 100 acres (40 ha) in size, but has since grown to more than 400 acres (160 ha). The first stages of expansion were accomplished largely by convict labor hauling in ashes for landfill. The island is politically part of the Bronx, although bridge access is from Queens. It is part of Queens Community Board 1 and uses an East Elmhurst, Queens, ZIP Code of 11370 for mail.

Birdman (rapper) American rapper, record executive and entrepreneur

Bryan Christopher Williams, known by his stage name Birdman, is an American rapper, record executive and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and public face of Cash Money Records which he founded with his older brother Ronald "Slim" Williams in 1992. Birdman released his eponymous debut album in 2002, and has gone on to release four solo studio albums in total. Aside from his solo career, he is also a member of the hip-hop duo Big Tymers, along with producer Mannie Fresh.

Hot Boys American band

The Hot Boys are an American hip hop group formed in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1997. The group is made up of Lil Wayne, Juvenile, B.G. and Turk.

<i>Tha Carter II</i> 2005 studio album by Lil Wayne

Tha Carter II is the fifth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne. It was released on December 6, 2005, by Cash Money Records and Universal Distribution. Recording sessions took place from 2004 to 2005, with Birdman and his brother Ronald "Slim" Williams serving as the record's executive producers. Additional producers on the album included The Runners and The Heatmakerz, among others. The album serves as a sequel to his fourth album Tha Carter (2004), and is classified as a southern hip hop record. It was supported by three singles. Tha Carter II received critical acclaim and ranks highly in retrospectives of Lil Wayne's best work.

The following events occurred in May 1945:

Reginald Dwayne Betts American poet, memoirist, and teacher

Reginald Dwayne Betts is an American poet, memoirist, and teacher. As a result of a carjacking he committed at the age of sixteen, he was sentenced to over eight years in prison. He has since gone on to author several award-winning works, including poetry, a memoir, and legal scholarship.

<i>No Ceilings</i> 2009 mixtape by Lil Wayne

No Ceilings is a mixtape by American rapper Lil Wayne. It was scheduled to be released on October 31, 2009, but was leaked before the official date. No Ceilings was officially released on October 31, 2009, with 4 additional tracks. The mixtape is available as a free and legal download and it generally received positive reviews from critics.

<i>Tha Carter IV</i> 2011 studio album by Lil Wayne

Tha Carter IV is the ninth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne, released on August 29, 2011, through Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Universal Republic Records. Recording sessions for the album began in late 2008, shortly after Lil Wayne's sixth studio album, Tha Carter III (2008) was released to strong sales and critical acclaim: however, the sessions were put on hold, as Lil Wayne claimed he did not want to follow an album he held in high regard so quickly with another, potentially inferior release. In the interim, Lil Wayne released his two other albums in 2010: the largely rock-themed Rebirth, and I Am Not a Human Being. The latter was reportedly composed from unreleased material from the original Tha Carter IV sessions, as the album was released whilst Wayne served a prison sentence at Rikers Island prison for illegal possession of a weapon, and was thus unable to record any new material: this also meant Tha Carter IV's recording sessions were once more put on hold.

Fire Flame 2010 single by Birdman

"Fire Flame" is a song by American rapper Birdman. The song features a guest appearance from fellow rapper Lil Wayne, who was not originally intended to appear on the song: however, his vocals were added following his release from prison. The rappers wrote the song, along with record producers Mr. Beatz and Kill Will, who also handled the song's production.

<i>We the Best Forever</i> 2011 studio album by DJ Khaled

We the Best Forever is the fifth studio album by DJ Khaled. It was released under We the Best Music Group, Terror Squad Entertainment, Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Universal Motown Records on July 19, 2011 instead of June 28, 2011. It is his first album to be released on a major label, his first four albums being released on the independent label Koch Records, which later changed its name to E1 Music.

Kalief Browder American teenager incarcerated in New York for three years without trial before release

Kalief Browder was an African American man from the Bronx, New York. Browder is known for having been held at the Rikers Island jail complex, without trial, for allegedly stealing a backpack, between 2010 and 2013 when he was unable to make bail; he was in solitary confinement for two of these years. He was released when the prosecutor's case was found to be lacking evidence against him and the main witness had left the United States.

<i>Tha Block Is Hot</i> 1999 studio album by Lil Wayne

Tha Block Is Hot is the debut major label studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne. It was released on November 2, 1999, by Ca$h Money and Universal. Recording sessions took place from 1998 to 1999, with the executive production from Baby and Slim, all of these tracks were produced by Mannie Fresh himself. Apart from the use of the word "fuck", the album is almost completely free of profanity from Wayne himself, due to his mother's wishes. The most violent and sexual verses were done by Big Tymers, and the other members of the Hot Boys, including rappers Juvenile, B.G. and Turk.

DJ Khaled American DJ, record producer, author, media personality, and record executive from Louisiana

Khaled Mohamed Khaled, known professionally as DJ Khaled, is an American DJ, record executive, songwriter, record producer, and media personality. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Khaled first gained prominence as a radio host in the 1990s on Miami hip hop station 99 Jamz. His popularity later prompted hip hop group Terror Squad to hire Khaled as the DJ for their live performances. After gaining some production credits on the group's material, Khaled then transitioned into curating albums, releasing his debut studio album Listennn... the Album in 2006, which earned gold certification.

Karen Civil American entrepreneur

Karen Civil is an American social media and digital media marketing strategist. She gained attention for helping to create and run Weezythanxyou.com, a website where the rapper Lil Wayne published letters to his fans while he was incarcerated at Rikers Island.

Sucker for Pain 2016 single by Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Imagine Dragons, Logic, Ty Dolla $ign, and X Ambassadors

"Sucker for Pain" is a song by the American rappers Lil Wayne and Wiz Khalifa and American band Imagine Dragons, with American rappers Logic and Ty Dolla Sign featuring American band X Ambassadors. The song was released as a single for the motion picture soundtrack for Suicide Squad (2016) on June 24, 2016, by Atlantic Records. On June 24, 2016, the official music video was uploaded to the Atlantic YouTube channel.

<i>Tranny</i> (book) book

Tranny: Confessions of Punk Rock's Most Infamous Anarchist Sellout is an autobiography by Laura Jane Grace, co-written with Noisey editor Dan Ozzi and published by Hachette Books on November 15, 2016.

Lil Pump American rapper

Gazzy Garcia, known professionally as Lil Pump, is an American rapper and songwriter. He is known for his hyperactive public persona, where he is often portrayed taking drugs, particularly marijuana, lean and Xanax; he is often criticized for his behavior seen on social media. He is also known for shouting his catchphrase "Esskeetit". Garcia was named as one of the 30 Under 30 by Forbes in 2019.

<i>High School</i> (book)

High School is a 2019 memoir by twin sisters Sara Quin and Tegan Quin, of the Canadian indie pop group Tegan and Sara. It is their first book and was published on September 24, 2019 by Simon & Schuster Canada. It recounts their childhood and adolescence growing up in Alberta in the 1990s as well as their musical beginnings. It was published three days before the release of Tegan and Sara's ninth studio album, Hey, I'm Just Like You, which contains re-recordings of unreleased demo songs that the duo recorded as teenagers.

References

  1. "Seven things we learned from Lil Wayne's 'Gone 'Til November'". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2018-04-12.
  2. "10 Random Things We Learned About Lil Wayne from His Rikers Island Diary 'Gone 'Til November'". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-04-12.
  3. "Lil Wayne Mulls Suicide in Harrowing Prison Journal Excerpt". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2018-04-12.
  4. "Fall Books Preview 2016: Must-Read Music Tell-Alls". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2018-04-12.
  5. Dreisinger, Baz. "Lil Wayne's Rikers Island memoir 'Gone 'Til November' is a missed opportunity". latimes.com. Retrieved 2018-04-12.