Neneh Cherry has added another accolade to her storied career—this time in the literary world, per rte.ie. The Swedish music icon’s debut memoir, A Thousand Threads, has been shortlisted for the 2025 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction, celebrating her extraordinary life journey from rural Sweden to global stardom.
The book traces Cherry’s path from childhood as Neneh Mariann Karlsson to her rise as a groundbreaking rapper and songwriter, best known for hits like “Buffalo Stance” and “Manchild”. Alongside her musical success, the memoir delves into her experiences with motherhood, fame and identity, weaving a narrative praised for its warmth and honesty.
Journalist Kavita Puri, chair of the judging panel, hailed the memoir as “exceptional and effortless,” applauding its exploration of belonging, family, and self-discovery. “It’s a complex portrayal full of integrity,” Puri remarked.
Cherry’s book stands among five other shortlisted works, including British-Chinese MP Yuan Yang’s Private Revolutions, examining modern China, and Rachel Clarke’s The Story of a Heart, a deep dive into the miracles of heart transplants. Nature also features prominently, with Chloe Dalton’s Raising Hare and Helen Scales’ What the Wild Sea Can Be making the cut. Rounding out the list is Clare Mulley’s Agent Zo, spotlighting a WWII resistance fighter.
The winner, set to be announced on June 12 in London, will receive £30,000 and a bespoke artwork.
