We live in a world of revisionist history with accepted facts, misinformation and downright lies fed to us and even when the truth finally does emerge it still has the burden of trying to be heard without being shouted down and silenced. It’s these autobiographical touches both explicit and implicit, that make the whole an outstanding and addictive mix; it’s writing from the heart. It’s a Sin made great use of a soundtrack with songs such as Smalltown Boy, Who Wants to Live Forever and Oh L’Amour to transport viewers who remember being gay in the 1980s back to that mental place of frisson and fear. Boakye’s knowledge and passion shines through as he explains the background, emotional impact, and historical significance of songs that changed British culture forever – from London is the Place for Me by Lord Kitchener to Vossi Bop by Stormzy.

When you also consider that the same counter culture narrative is still being promoted in modern day life, remember Miley Cyrus twerking and simulating sex on stage to the view of thousands if not millions of impressionable teens and young children?Have to go, apparently Duran Duran's music video 'Union of the Snake' has very different connotations once you know what to look for 😁. This central ‘movement’ of the book draws us into the darkness that is the murder of Steven Lawrence.

Jeffrey Boakye is an author, broadcaster, educator and journalist with a particular interest in issues surrounding race, masculinity, education and popular culture.I was at my last school for 4 years and we had ********* book fairs every term – and every term, I was disappointed by the narrow range of books. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice.