Data News Weekly

Page 4
June 8 - June 14, 2024
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www.ladatanews.com
New Orleans Author Brian Bagneris’
Debut Memoir Hustle Till I Die
Fleur De Lis
Data News Weekly Contributor
Brian Bagneris’ Debut Memoir
Hustle Till I Die is a must-read. It
chronicles the life of a young man’s
coming-of-age in 1990s New Orleans.
As a teenager, Bagneris witnessed
the shooting death of his childhood
friend Kenneth Breaux. This pivotal
moment became “the day that he had
to choose between 2 existing worlds:
the normal life of a 16-year-old Black
teenager growing up in Hollygrove, a
working-class neighborhood of New
Orleans or “getting it how he lives”
the life as an angry hurt man-child on
the cruel and dirty streets of the city.”
The book follows Bagneris
through a period of grief and desire
for revenge that leads him to juvenile
detention and life as a notorious Hollygrove
drug dealer. At the same time,
we see Bagneris discover his creative
voice as the prolific rapper 2twenty3
and develop a vibrant and tight-knit
family. Years later, Kenneth’s killer
is released from prison and reenters
Bagneris’ life in unexpected ways.
Just after Bagneris and his family purchase
and settle into their first home,
a harrowing evacuation from Hurricane
Katrina confirms his dedication
to the city that raised him. Hustle Till
I Die is a compulsively readable portrait
of a New Orleans native, told in a
charismatic, insightful new voice.
Hustle Till I Die can be purchased
at Amazon.com, Melba’s on Elysian
Fields, Beckham Book Sore on Decatur
Street, Community Book Store,
and other locations in the City of New
Orleans.
Author Brian Bagneris with Hip Hop legend Mia X.
Hustle Till I Die is garnering attention inside and outside of the
city. Charlemagne Da God and Bagneris daughter Dr. Brianyell
Mims, who is an immunologist at a recent book event.
Brian Bagneris story that exemplifies triumph over tragedy
is one that is inspirational, and is a must read for those who
want to understand Black males not just in New Orleans,
but America.
Bagneris is receiving props from many influential people
including national radio personality Sway.
Visit www.ladatanews.com for more photos from these events.