Unsigned Hype by Booker T. Mattison
Reviewed by A. Jarrell Hayes
Reviewed by A. Jarrell Hayes
There are lyrics from a Christopher "Biggie Smalls" Wallace song that goes "I never thought it could happen/this rappin' stuff/I was too used to/packin' gats 'n' stuff." Hip-hop took Biggie Smalls and other successful rappers from poor neighborhoods to stardom and fame. But for every rapper that makes it big, there are thousands of others left with only deflated dreams.
Booker T. Mattison's novel Unsigned Hype follows the story of Tory "Terror" Tyson's struggle to expand his producing and deejaying skills out from the Mount Vernon hood and make it big. Tory narrates the story, and takes the reader on a wild ride as he realizes his world is changed forever thanks to hip-hop.
Tory and his long time buddy and partner Fat Mike enter Power 97's Unsigned Hype contest on the Mixmaster Magic show. Tory is a resourceful fifteen year old skilled deejay and producer. He has a makeshift recording studio in his room and he samples music from a crate of records his deceased father left behind. His knowledge of old school music and skills as a deejay make him a hit with both young and older clientele.
The duo is successful in the contest, and Mixmaster Magic is impressed with Tory's producing skills. Tory gets offered a deal while rapping friend Fat Mike does not; that’s when the troubles start for Tory. Becoming successful in the industry causes Tory's friends to become jealous of him and those who had nothing to do with him months ago are now trying to get close to him. It becomes harder for Tory to decipher friend from foe.
His mother is a strong woman who had lost her husband, who was a teacher, from senseless street violence when Tory was a toddler and she tries to keep Tory and his two older brothers on the right path to higher education. However, Tory's success as a producer begins to interfere with his school work and he comes to the conclusion he should drop out, as so many of his rap heroes have done.
Because the story is told through Tory's eyes, there are parts when characters disappear from his life, only to reappear to test the young protagonist. Tory starts off young, but he grows into manhood thanks to a male mentor that enters his life -- something he had lacked since his father died when he was young. Tory starts off with a good head on his shoulder, and some of the advice the mentor gives him doesn't seem necessary at first; but being famous changes a lot of things, and Tory has to decide how to handle the issues that come his way.
Tory's story is entertaining and he's an interesting character, even though he his way of altering his name (i.e. he remarks once, "I'm taking over -- terriTory, that is") gets annoying after awhile. Tory starts off as a decent kid, but then others start messing with him and he has to decide to either become a thug to protect himself or grow into a better man. Although written for teens and young adults, anybody who grew up in the hood or is in the entertainment business can relate to his story. You can check out Terror Tory's website at www.unchartedterrortory.com.
"A. Jarrell Hayes is the Black Urban Times' book review editor, as well as an author, poet, and blogger in the Baltimore area. More on A. Jarrell Hayes."
Booker T. Mattison's novel Unsigned Hype follows the story of Tory "Terror" Tyson's struggle to expand his producing and deejaying skills out from the Mount Vernon hood and make it big. Tory narrates the story, and takes the reader on a wild ride as he realizes his world is changed forever thanks to hip-hop.
Tory and his long time buddy and partner Fat Mike enter Power 97's Unsigned Hype contest on the Mixmaster Magic show. Tory is a resourceful fifteen year old skilled deejay and producer. He has a makeshift recording studio in his room and he samples music from a crate of records his deceased father left behind. His knowledge of old school music and skills as a deejay make him a hit with both young and older clientele.
The duo is successful in the contest, and Mixmaster Magic is impressed with Tory's producing skills. Tory gets offered a deal while rapping friend Fat Mike does not; that’s when the troubles start for Tory. Becoming successful in the industry causes Tory's friends to become jealous of him and those who had nothing to do with him months ago are now trying to get close to him. It becomes harder for Tory to decipher friend from foe.
His mother is a strong woman who had lost her husband, who was a teacher, from senseless street violence when Tory was a toddler and she tries to keep Tory and his two older brothers on the right path to higher education. However, Tory's success as a producer begins to interfere with his school work and he comes to the conclusion he should drop out, as so many of his rap heroes have done.
Because the story is told through Tory's eyes, there are parts when characters disappear from his life, only to reappear to test the young protagonist. Tory starts off young, but he grows into manhood thanks to a male mentor that enters his life -- something he had lacked since his father died when he was young. Tory starts off with a good head on his shoulder, and some of the advice the mentor gives him doesn't seem necessary at first; but being famous changes a lot of things, and Tory has to decide how to handle the issues that come his way.
Tory's story is entertaining and he's an interesting character, even though he his way of altering his name (i.e. he remarks once, "I'm taking over -- terriTory, that is") gets annoying after awhile. Tory starts off as a decent kid, but then others start messing with him and he has to decide to either become a thug to protect himself or grow into a better man. Although written for teens and young adults, anybody who grew up in the hood or is in the entertainment business can relate to his story. You can check out Terror Tory's website at www.unchartedterrortory.com.
"A. Jarrell Hayes is the Black Urban Times' book review editor, as well as an author, poet, and blogger in the Baltimore area. More on A. Jarrell Hayes."
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