Let Me Hear a Rhyme: Audiobook

 

From the Publisher:

Brooklyn, 1998. Biggie Smalls was right: Things done changed. But that doesn’t mean that Quadir and Jarrell are cool letting their best friend Steph’s music lie forgotten under his bed after he’s murdered—not when his rhymes could turn any Bed Stuy corner into a party.

With the help of Steph’s younger sister Jasmine, they come up with a plan to promote Steph’s music under a new rap name: the Architect. Soon, everyone wants a piece of him. When his demo catches the attention of a hotheaded music label rep, the trio must prove Steph’s talent from beyond the grave.

As the pressure of keeping their secret grows, Quadir, Jarrell, and Jasmine are forced to confront the truth about what happened to Steph. Only, each has something to hide. And with everything riding on Steph’s fame, they need to decide what they stand for or lose all that they’ve worked so hard to hold on to—including each other.

My Thoughts:

This book needs to be listened to. It is written in the rhythm of the streets. It is about a sister's sorrow and the loss of an up and coming rap star. Steph could have been a star and two friends and a little sister use Steph's voice to solve a mystery and go through their grief. Ms. Jackson has an ear for the streets. 

Publication information:

Author: Tiffany D. Jackson

Narrators: Korey Jackson, Nile Bullock, Adenrele Ojo, Adam Lazarre-White

Publisher: Harper Audio (May 21, 2019)

Listening length: 9 hours 21 minutes

On the Come Up

On the Come Up is the sophomore novel from New York Times best selling author of The Hate U Give.  

Description:

Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least win her first battle. As the daughter of an underground hip hop legend who died right before he hit big, Bri’s got massive shoes to fill.

But it’s hard to get your come up when you’re labeled a hoodlum at school, and your fridge at home is empty after your mom loses her job. So Bri pours her anger and frustration into her first song, which goes viral…for all the wrong reasons.

Bri soon finds herself at the center of a controversy, portrayed by the media as more menace than MC. But with an eviction notice staring her family down, Bri doesn’t just want to make it—she hasto. Even if it means becoming the very thing the public has made her out to be.  

Insightful, unflinching, and full of heart, On the Come Up is an ode to hip hop from one of the most influential literary voices of a generation. It is the story of fighting for your dreams, even as the odds are stacked against you; and about how, especially for young black people, freedom of speech isn’t always free.

My Thoughts:

This is an homage to the author's love of hip hop, but it is also a reminder that as a society, we are quick to label, name, assume about "the other." Ms. Thomas allows Bri to be sixteen, make mistakes, falter badly, and get caught up in unwise moves. Although this was frustrating at times, it made the reckoning much sweeter. 

It feels like a sophomore book in that there is not as much thought and care put into the characterization and complexity of relationships, however, this one will be scooped up by young adults interested in hip hop and urban culture.