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The first novel to truly capture the fast and furious world of hip-hop -- one in which the line between
art and life is blurred for two ambitious MCs whose battle to be #1 is fought with weapons and words.
Rappers Flawless
and Hannibal are two talented young men moving toward the same dream: to be the best, to take over the world, to see the big
picture, to become the most respected rap artists of their generation. Along the way, they battle the business of mainstream
hip-hop, industry honchos, crazy fans, and -- most of all -- each other. Caught up in their intense rivalry are Erika, Flawless's
sister, and Micah, Hannibal's protegé, two young lovers whose loyalties toward each rapper threaten to ruin their future together.
A vivid journey through the underworld of urban music, it is a West Side Story remixed to the movement of hip-hop;
a story of desire and dreams, all tied to the beat of hip-hop eternal.
Reader review(s) on A Hip-Hop Story :
 A Classic, November 24, 2003
Everybody is not a novel reader. But if you like hip-hop, are interested in contract
negotiations, behind-the-scenes coverage of hip-hop performances, the love between a man and a woman, ghost writing, or the
effect hip-hop has on its fan base, please pick up A Hip Hop Story by Heru Ptah. If you don't want to read the whole book,
just check out one of the strongest chapters in the whole novel, Chapter 32.
Ptah has mastered the art of writing about
critical events (i.e. war, politics, violence, etc.) in a conversational matter when no other writers so far have been able
to do this without preaching. Even better, he does it through the eyes of two fictionalized hip-hop artists with totally different
backgrounds, lifestyles, and philosophies. Flawless, the exceptional pretty boy who has a major talent for lyrics, is the
infamous freestyle battler who beat Hannibal, the raunchier, in-your-face lyricist. After that freestyle, they have gone back
and forth down the road to their future. They both share one dream though: to get to the top of hip-hop music.
I won't
lie to you. There were some spots where I wanted to pull out the violins. I used to say women made love sound corny, but this
book proves that men do too. Ptah should've asked some women how it felt to lose their virginity cause the whole "wanting
him deeper and deeper" deal was completely inaccurate.
But anyway, the author made impressive points like the difference
between an industry audience during a performance as opposed to a public audience. (If you saw the reaction to Lil' Jon &
the Ying Yang Twins on the Vibe Awards, you'll understand his point). He spoke on the sometimes-overprotective love between
siblings. He spoke on the problems with holding onto friendships when a hip-hop career becomes successful. He even speaks
on the power of words during battling sessions, adding along several freestyles of the fictional characters. Ptah even adds
as much humor as he does realism in a part so surprising all I can say is read Book Five. Better yet, just read the whole
book. It's worth the money.
Hip Hop Fiction for the People, October 21, 2003
Being that I'm not a big hip hop fanatic, I must say that I couldn't
put this book down. I actually finished reading the book in one day. Heru Ptah has not only captured the true nitty gritty
essence of the "hip hop industry", but created memborable/complex characters in the storyline. This book will definitely be
a classic, it's the first real novel about hip hop and mc battles. It's Gen X and Gen Y's version of "West Side Story".
A
MUST READ FOR ANY FICTION FAN!!!
A very important book for hip-hop culture, January 6, 2004
This is a very important book for hip-hop culture, and
Ptah has done a great job in telling a good story. But the way he has hyped it to the media might get the book in trouble
later on, since he told the New York Times reporter Dinitia Smith in a recent interview that he sold the book, before it was
published in its present incarnation, to the tune of "some 2,000 books, earning close to $20,000." (His costs, he said, were
about $3,000). But did the New York Times reporter ever check out this fact so see if it was true? Probably not. Later in
the same article, Ptah says sold more than 10,000 copies on the streets and subways before it was republished in September
by MTV.
Between November 2002 and July 2003, Ptah says, he sold more than 10,000 copies on the street, the subway and
at readings that he had set up. That adds up to nearly $100,000 X an astonishing figure for such a self-financed venture.
But he said that close to $50,000 of that went to the costs of printing and promotion.
"Some people go to work to make
$500 in a week," Ptah said. "We make that in a day."
Now, even though this is a great book, for an author to make such
outrageous claims of selling 10,000 books in 8 months, and for the New York Times to print such a claim without fact checking
this "fact" is irresponsible.
So although I enjoyed reading this book immensely, I feel the author would benefit more
if he told the media more accurate figures, related to sales, rather than hyping the book in an outlandish way. Where does
fact end and fiction begin? Dinitia Smith should tell readers the real story, not the hyped story. In an advertisement, it's
okay, that's the nature of ads. But a newspaper story should be accurate.
And The Award For Best Work Of Hip Hop Fiction Goes To......, April 18, 2004
"A Hip Hop Story" is the absolute best
work of fiction focusing on hip hop out today. It is written in a beautiful, even poetic manner. Heru Ptah gives us all things
that hip hop covers - battling, politics, loneliness at the top, your crew, the music industry, philosophy, misogyny, and
so many more things that any true hip hop lover will embrace. Don't get it twisted, this book is long, but you will want to
follow it to the end to see what happens. As you read you'll find resemblances to Tupac and Biggie, God bless the dead. The
book conveys thoughts either one of these great artists may have had when they were living. This is also a book for those
that may not love hip hop, it gives an understanding of the culture. I commend Heru for writing such an intelligent and thought
provoking work of fiction and would like to read more fiction from this author. All hip hop artists should be required to
read this book as an introduction into the industry. Buy this book, it will be money well spent.
a remarkable book, April 3, 2004
I bought A HipHop Story,whilst I was on the subway in New York in 2003.I felt attached
to the book whilst reading it because I identifed with the characters in the book. I was very sad when my most favourable
character left the scene. I felt that the book showed me a different side to love, the fact of being in love and being loved.
I felt that I learnt a lot from reading this book.The book is remarkable, reading the book helped me identify with the characters
and i felt that the book dealt with a lot of issues which were important to todays society. The issues are important to explore,
to give an insight to the readers. After reading the book I feel like i needed another book to fill the void of this book.This
has been my best buy to date. Thanks to Heru Ptah for writing such an insipring book, I await his next publication.
 Strong voices will be heard, November 9, 2004
You will be full of emotion by the end of this book. Its' about rappers
on the streets of the Bronx. If you love hip hop you will want to know what really happens to rappers on the streets. Flawless
the main character is seeking respect to pull ahead of the game. Many rappers are trying to fulfill a dream. Who will succeed
in this dream of theirs. Its a tough book and romantic in some ways. If you have or had a tough life in the ghetto you will
be able to relate to this book. If you're not street smart this book will not make much sense. This book has lots of ghetto
words that only certain people would understand. You have to be sure you like books like this or you will not like it. The
way rappers freestyle and battle eachother are amazing. You will see lots of talent and greed.
A beautiful story, March 30, 2004
I just finished reading A hip- hop story and I must admit the beginning was very
slow reading for me but once I read on I could not put the book down. Thanks Heru so much for good reading. I really enjoyed
Flawless and Bull.
Best book since Native Son, March 27, 2004
After reading a Hip-Hop Story I was very moved by the creativity and
thoughts of an obvious master of words. After living in NYC for many years I have been exposed to much of the culture written
about in this book. I am beyond impressed that someone of Heru's insight and abilities can tell the truth so boldly about
the influence of the media and critique the politics of the "right" with force and accuracy. I strive to teach my students
in a very republican/white suburb to open their eyes and see the world around them. I have my classes working on an original
task: "The Malice of Hate" where they must read any book relating to any type of prejudice and write critiques of the media
while submitting them to the companies guilty of discrimination and perpetuating the language of exclusion. A Hip Hop Story
was my selection, as I model reading for my kids, and it was the best book that I have read since Native Son. As a teacher
of English, I know the power and importance of wielding the written word, and Heru Ptah is a master.
One of the best books I have ever read, March 26, 2004
I want to commend Heru for his novel. I just finished the
book and I feel emotionally attached to it. The last time I have ever felt an attachment to a piece such as this was a novel
I read in my "Crime and Punishment in American Literature" class. I did not have much knowledge of the hip-hop industry, but
now I think I have a better understanding. I think however that the back cover of the novel is misleading, but in a good way.
After reading this novel to just simply say it is a love story really does not capture how magnificient this story is. Micah
to me is the most interesting character. I believe he is the Flawless Erika fell in love with. As flawless kept saying in
repsonse to Micah "this name", he never acknowledged him as a person when he was around or when Erika was explaining her love
for him, I think his character was not meant for human existence but rather for a loving spirit that took on likeness to Flawless.
I respect Hannibal the most, and I fell in love with Flawless. Truely an excellent book, much success in the future with the
movie. Might I suggest DMX to play Hannibal's character?
a hip hop masterpiece, March 12, 2004
This book is dope; a must read. For anyone who has ever wanted to know how
the game truly is, this book is for you. It's as educational as it is entertaining; and damn was it entertaining. For a perfect
example read chapter 38, it had me laughing out loud, In fact read the whole the book, the ending is crazy; i guarantee it'll
leave you speechless.
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