Questlove’s latest project is dedicated to all the children who love reading but may not always see themselves properly reflected.

According to HipHopDX, following its release on April 18, the legendary musician’s young adult novel, “The Rhythm of Time,” has already made an appearance in the top five on Amazon’s Children’s Action and Adventure Books’ bestseller list.

His Inspiration Behind The Book

The Roots member described himself as the “alt-Black kid” growing up and said that he often never fit in when it came to fashion stylings or lingo of the day. He recently opened up about his reason for writing the book.

“I want Black nerds to see themselves as well,” said Questlove during an interview with “The View.” He shared with the hosts that the book is dedicated to his 9-year-old self who loved to read but never actually saw himself reflected in the books that he had access to.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Questlove (@questlove)

The story, which is focused on a seventh grader by the name of Rahim Reynolds and his friend Kasia, focuses on their love for building and testing gadgets that aren’t so average. However, when Rahim suddenly time travels back to 1997, he must figure out how to make his way back to the present time, despite being faced with several obstacles.

His Previous Literary Works

This isn’t Questlove’s first rodeo in the book publishing place. He also has a memoir, “Mo’ Meta Blues,” and his own examination of America over the last fifty years through “Music Is History.”

Questlove's Love For Education

As previously reported by AfroTech, the Philadelphia native has always had a love for creating space for his fellow creatives. In 2022, Questlove partnered with the Ph.D. Program in Creativity at the University of Arts in Philadelphia to launch the Balvenie Fellowship creative scholarship.

The program kicked off in June 2022 and offered its recipient a fully funded three-year track in the Ph.D. Program of Creativity at the institution.