If You Can Kill It I Can Cook It (Swamp Dogg)

An idea 50 years in the making, this entertaining cookbook from a cult music legend is chock-full of stories and soul food

Before there was Snoop Dogg, there was Swamp Dogg. Born Jerry Williams Jr., he first rose to fame as a 12-year-old soul singer called Little Jerry. As an adult, he went on to reintroduce himself as “Swamp Dogg”—a legendary singer, songwriter and record producer whose singular voice and ideas have shaped the history of soul, country, hip-hop and R&B.

An avid foodie, Swamp Dogg once proclaimed in 1972 that he would write a cookbook so transformative that the legacies of culinary giants such as Julia Child, Betty Crocker and even Colonel Sanders would pale in comparison. Now, more than 50 years later, that work is finally here.

If You Can Kill It I Can Cook It is a book for those who appreciate recipes seasoned with personality and history, and stories to go with dinner. This is more than a cookbook: it’s a biographical artifact and a journey into the mind of a chef who’ll teach you how to make “Baked Beans Bo Diddley,” “James Brown In Flight Chicken” and “Willie Nelson Potatoes Platter.” It’s also a glimpse into the savory life of a musical genius, richly illustrated with tales and photos of family, food, music and business.

Jerry Williams Jr., also known as Swamp Dogg (born 1942), sang under his own name in the 1960s while also working for record labels such as Musicor and Atlantic Records. In 1970 he adopted the moniker Swamp Dogg and has recorded 25 soul and R&B albums. His collaborators have included John Prine, Jenny Lewis and Bon Iver.