recollections vol. 2

featuring Josh Yarbrough of Gold Mouf Dawg

recollections vol. 2 is here! special thanks to my longtime acquaintance Josh of Gold Mouf Dawg for sharing a peek into his world. we met years ago while working in retail and bonded over music, as well as a shared appreciation for refined aesthetics and the city of Atlanta. his collection is a great reflection of his interests and varied literary influences. as a fellow writer, Josh definitely has a way with words and the selected items portray a compelling narrative of who he is. read on for the things he’s collected.

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Hello, hello! Thank you Shanté for giving me this opportunity on things i collected! My name is Joshua Yarbrough and I’m Editor-In-Chief of Gold Mouf Dawg, a digital literary magazine based out of Atlanta, Ga.

My list is a little all over the place. I owe my writing career and aspirations to a very eclectic mix of authors, stories, music, and just living in Atlanta. Let’s get to it.

1. Calvin and Hobbes — Probably the biggest inspiration in my writing career and how I developed a love for language. Calvin and Hobbes’ relationship and the wittiness and chemistry they displayed stuck with me as a kid. It’s held up against the test of time and is a treasure of mine.

2. Gucci Playlist — Gucci Mane was the soundtrack from 2005 to 2012. His voice reeks of southern Atlanta living. I learned as much about writing, storytelling, and eclecticism from him as anyone else.

3. James Baldwin: Giovanni’s Room — A beautiful story about love, heartbreak, loneliness, and alienation. This was my introduction to James Baldwin. Recommended for anyone looking to write clearly about love. Baldwin wrote in a way that hit a nerve and was so accurate and honest, you’d almost be in a trance. You’d wonder how he could know and summarize the emotions that you guard so closely. Baldwin was a brilliant writer about the human experience.

4. Chris Rock: Rock This! — I first read this behind my father’s back in the 4th grade and caught maybe 30 percent of the jokes. And every year since then, I’d revisit and eventually got the entire book. It’s a study in humor and can benefit anyone with a satirical/comedic bent in their writing.

5. Charles Bukowski: Post Office — If Baldwin taught me to be accurate and honest, Rock taught me humor, Calvin and Hobbes teaching me chemistry, Bukowski taught me to be raw. He wrote in the way of a down and out drunk, looking to place himself amongst the madness. Mostly because he was a down and out drunk looking to place himself amongst the madness. I mimic his style a lot and he has developed into one of my favorite authors over the years.

6. Tupac: All Eyez on Me — Tupac is my kindred spirit. A fiery talent tragically silenced young, Tupac wasn’t the most eloquent or even the most talented rapper. But he was a star and energy that hasn’t been replicated since his death. I listen when I need a boost of massive confidence and swagger.

7. Fiona Apple: Extraordinary Machine — I can go on and on about Fiona as an artist, but we don’t have enough time. I’ll leave it at she is another brilliant lyricist and gets spins anytime I need to work out a certain mood or line in my writing.

8. Outkast: ATLiens — this isn’t my favorite ‘Kast album (that honor belongs to Aquemini) but ATLiens has been in my rotation more lately. It speaks to being an Atlanta native, native to this quirky city that’s both the epicenter of hip-hop but also a historical reminder of the Black southern experience. This album makes me feel like we, us Atlantans, are out of this world, but songs like “Decatur Psalm” and “Jazzy Belle” root me firmly back in the red clay of 90s Atlanta. It’s a perfect mix of Afrofuturism and MARTA trips.