Dr. Kimberly Mack, an associate professor of English at The University of Toledo, is embarking on a tour to promote her new book and contribution to the 33 1/3 series – “Living Colour’s Time’s Up”. Focusing on one of her favorite albums, Mack delves into her passions for African American literature and American popular music to examine rock’s Black origins in collaborations with Little Richard, Queen Latifah, Maceo Parker, and Mick Jagger.

Dr. Kimberly Mack, an associate professor of English at The University of Toledo, is proudly going on tour across the country to promote her new book, “Living Colour’s Time’s Up”. This book is part of 33 1/3, a series of short books about individual albums by artists ranging from James Brown to Celine Dion spanning nearly 20 years. The paperbacks are designed to be short, pocket size, and easily consumed and will be published Thursday, May 4, by Bloomsbury Academic. Dr. Mack is a scholar of African American literature and American popular music and is excited to share her work with the world.

Mack was proud and positive to have the opportunity to delve into one of her favorite albums by a band that had such an impact on her musical development. Out of nearly 400 submissions, her proposal to the publisher was accepted along with 14 others in 2020. The 33 1/3 series is written by various people including critics, academics, journalists, musicians, and poets, each assigned to one record.

Mack was assigned to Living Colour’s “Time’s Up,” which was released in 1990. This album features collaborations with artists from a variety of musical styles and backgrounds, including Little Richard, Queen Latifah, Maceo Parker, and Mick Jagger. It’s an inspiring album that speaks to the importance of acknowledging rock’s Black origins. To have both Little Richard and Mick Jagger featured on the track “Elvis is Dead” is an exciting twist that highlights the contributions of both Black blues people and early rock and rollers.

Mack believes that “Time’s Up” is not only a powerful album in its own right, but also holds great relevance as it addresses issues such as racism, classism, and police brutality. It’s an album that proudly celebrates the legacy of Black music in rock while at the same time advocating for social change.

Its bolder and more experimental approach was met with widespread critical acclaim, even if its commercial success did not reach the same heights as the group’s first album.

Dedication to Research and Writing

Mack devoted an impressive one year and nine months to researching and writing her book about Living Colour. She showed extraordinary dedication, going the extra mile to speak with all current and former members of the band as well as the record’s production crew, including the producer, engineer, and the late Greg Tate. This effort has resulted in a comprehensive exploration of the band’s creative fusion of heavy metal, funk, jazz, hip-hop, punk, and alternative rock. Of particular note is Mack’s favorite song from the album, “Time’s Up,” which was also chosen as the title of the album.

Mack’s Passionate Reaction to ‘Time’s Up

Mack’s book is already making waves nationally. In her book, Mack expresses her passionate reaction to the intense drumming of ‘Time’s Up’, expressing that it struck her like a hammer and she was immediately captivated by its anger and violence. Over the next three months, Mack will be sharing her book at events across the country, showcasing her work to audiences everywhere.

Living Colour’s highly anticipated album, “Time’s Up”, is available for preorder on Amazon and the publisher’s website. Mack will be embarking on a tour to promote her album beginning in Ann Arbor, Michigan at Literati Bookstore for a conversation with Scott Poulson-Bryant. She will then travel to Cleveland, Ohio at Visible Voice Books talking with Jason Hanley, followed by Brooklyn, New York for an event at WORD bookstore with Laina Dawes, Perrysburg, Ohio at Way Public Library, Chicago, Illinois at Exile in Bookville with Greg Kot, Toledo, Ohio at the University of Toledo Barnes and Noble, Detroit, Michigan at Pages Bookshop for a conversation with Devon Powers, and wrapping up the tour with an event at Book Soup in West Hollywood, California. Don’t miss your chance to celebrate this incredible new album with Mack!

Dr. Kimberly Mack’s new book “Living Colour’s Time’s Up” is an inspiring take on the influence of Black culture on rock and roll, and her insights on the album demonstrate not only its music but also its important cultural context. With the successful publication of her work, combined with the achievements of the other authors in the 33 1/3 series, this project shines a light on a variety of musical perspectives and experiences that contribute to our collective cultural knowledge.