On Thursday, February 20, 2025, Northern Michigan University will welcome award-winning poet, essayist, and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib as part of the Visiting Writers Series. Abdurraqib, known for his powerful explorations of music, culture, and identity, has been published in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Pitchfork, and The FADER, among others. His latest book, "There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension," is a New York Times bestseller that blends personal reflection with sports and cultural commentary.
To learn more about the Visiting Writers Series and Abdurraqib’s upcoming appearance, we spoke with Matthew Frank, NMU English professor and director of the series.
“The Visiting Writers Series is housed in our English department, and every year, we bring in a diverse group of writers—poets, nonfiction authors, novelists,” Frank explained. “They often visit classes and interact with students, and in the evening, they give a reading, followed by a Q&A and book signing. It’s a way to bring the arts to a traditionally underserved community. We’re a bit rural, and this series helps enliven the literary scene for NMU and the broader Marquette area.”
When asked why Abdurraqib was chosen for this year’s series, Frank’s enthusiasm was clear: “I’m a really big fan,” he admitted with a laugh. “Hanif is a cross-genre writer, most well-known for his nonfiction essays and cultural criticism. His last three books were New York Times bestsellers. He’s also a brilliant poet and music writer. We were just really excited to bring him here.”
Abdurraqib’s work resonates widely, blending poetry with music criticism and social commentary. “His writing is lyrical and literary, but it also has broad appeal,” Frank said. “He engages deeply with cultural criticism and music. His latest book is about basketball, but it’s also about much more—about life, identity, and the meaning we find in the things we love.”
Listen to Kurt Hauswirth's interview with Matthew Frank here:
Hanif Abdurraqib will appear at NMU’s Northern Center (Peninsula II Room) on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information on the NMU Visiting Writers Series, visit nmu.edu/english and click on the events tab.
