Hanif Abdurraqib on the Enduring Legacy of Greg Tate

In the landscape of American cultural criticism, few voices have resonated with the same intellectual rigor and genuine affection for Black art as the late Greg Tate. As the literary world celebrates the 2026 re-issue of his seminal collection, Flyboy in the Buttermilk, writer Hanif Abdurraqib offers a poignant reflection on what it means to operate within the lineage of such a monumental figure. For Abdurraqib, the opportunity to pen the introduction for this re-release was more than a professional milestone; it was a testament to the Black excellence and curiosity that defined Tate’s career.

The Responsibility of Lineage

Abdurraqib describes Tate not merely as a critic, but as a “north star” who treated younger writers with a level of respect that felt both rare and necessary. “Lineage is something that I believe none of us have to ask permission to place ourselves in,” Abdurraqib notes. “However, once we do that as writers or artists, I think it’s worth taking that responsibility seriously and operating as though you are no longer writing alone.” This sense of collective building—where the goal is not competition, but the elevation of the entire community—remains a cornerstone of how Abdurraqib approaches his own work.

Fearless Criticism and Cultural Curiosity

Tate’s writing was characterized by a fearless expression of dissatisfaction balanced with an unyielding love for the subject matter. Whether he was dissecting the crossover appeal of Eddie Murphy or drawing unexpected parallels between Bruce Springsteen and James Brown, Tate demanded more from his subjects because he believed in their potential. Abdurraqib highlights this as a vital lesson for modern critics: the importance of holding the things we love to a strict account, not out of malice, but out of a desire for them to remain worthy of that love.

Ultimately, the re-release of Flyboy in the Buttermilk serves as a reminder that the work of a critic is to translate and transform. By remaining more curious about others than himself, Abdurraqib continues to honor the path Tate paved, ensuring that the next generation of creators understands the weight and the beauty of the tradition they are inheriting.