Michael Gonzales

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Michael A. Gonzales has written essays and articles for The Village Voice, New York, Pitchfork and Mass Appeal. Co-author of Bring the Noise: A Guide to Rap Music and Hip-Hop Culture (1991), he has written music journalism for Newark Bound, Red Bull Academy, The Wire, and Wax Poetics. His short fiction has appeared in Bronx Biannual, Brown Sugar, Black Pulp and Crime Factory. Gonzales is currently finishing his literary New York City hip-hop novel Boom for Real. More information on The Blacklist can be found on Facebook.

Stories

Cover Photo: “The Disappearance”: A Novel by Rosa Guy by Michael Gonzales
“The Disappearance”: A Novel by Rosa Guy

“Guy’s novels are like Judy Blume books for black teenagers.”

Jun 28, 2018
Cover Photo: “Rhode Island Red”: A Novel by Charlotte Carter by Michael Gonzales
“Rhode Island Red”: A Novel by Charlotte Carter

Carter’s characters rarely do what one might expect. Reading her work just gives you a jolt.

May 29, 2018
Cover Photo: “The Long Night”: A Novel by Julian Mayfield by Michael Gonzales
“The Long Night”: A Novel by Julian Mayfield

Mayfield’s style was as stark as Richard Wright and poetic as Ernest Hemingway, but was grounded in urban realism.

Apr 26, 2018
Cover Photo: Photos provided by the author
“The Landlord”: A Novel by Kristin Hunter

Kristin Hunter gave attention to subtle worlds within worlds and psyches within psyches.

Mar 29, 2018
Cover Photo: “Jonoah and the Green Stone”: A Novel by Henry Dumas by Michael Gonzales
“Jonoah and the Green Stone”: A Novel by Henry Dumas

Despite his literary brilliance, Dumas became a tragic symbol of young black men slain by police.

Feb 28, 2018
Cover Photo: “Negrophobia”: A Novel by Darius James by Michael Gonzales
“Negrophobia”: A Novel by Darius James

Published in 1992, “Negrophobia” was a wild romp through a racially charged dreamscape.

Jan 31, 2018
Cover Photo: Photograph via Uni/Universal City Records/Wikimedia Commons
Their Songs: The Ballad of Elton John and Bernie Taupin

Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin collaborated to create timeless pop songs during the 1970s.

Sep 19, 2017
Cover Photo: Album art via Warner Bros.
Love in the Age of Prince

“After hearing ‘1999,’ I wouldn’t date any woman that wasn’t down with Prince.”

May 01, 2017
Cover Photo: photo by Alan Turkus/flickr
Live Girls, Lonely Boys

“Times Square transformed from an adult sexual wonderland to an urban family playground.”

Sep 07, 2016
Cover Photo: photo by Susan Sermoneta/flickr
​Into the Cinema, Onto the Page

“Movie buffs, like writers, have no problem with solitude.”

Jun 01, 2016