In "A Little Devil in America," Hanif Abdurraqib crafts a masterful ode to the art of Black performance, tracing its vibrant threads through the fabric of American history with the grace of a poet and the insight of a seasoned cultural critic. Abdurraqib, with the precision of a historian and the heart of an artist, delves into moments both monumental and minute—from Josephine Baker's defiant declarations at the March on Washington, to the haunting wails of Merry Clayton in "Gimme Shelter," to the intimate defiance found in a game of spades. Through these vignettes, Abdurraqib explores not just the performances themselves but the echoes they leave behind, examining how they resonate within the broader context of Black and white America, the insidious tendrils of empire, and the deeply personal landscapes of love and grief. With a narrative as lyrical as the music he reveres, Abdurraqib invites readers into a meditation on identity, legacy, and resistance, weaving together tales of the stage, the street, and the sanctity of the living room. "A Little Devil in America" is at once a celebration and a reckoning, paying homage to the indomitable spirit of Black performers who have wielded their art against the backdrop of a country that has both adored and marginalized them. Abdurraqib's prose is a beacon, guiding us through the complexities of performance as both a spectacle and a survival strategy, compelling in its urgency and breathtaking in its beauty. This is not just a book about Black performance; it is a profound reflection on the American experience, as seen through the eyes of those who have danced, sung, and lived it with unmatched resilience and joy.