Hip- Hop and Urban Hood Fiction in Print. How Long Will it Last?

Soon as we finish the discussion of Hip-Hop being dead, we embark upon a new question. Will the outbreak of urban-fiction remain around long? Readers and producers of this new genre of literature are mostly African Americans. Readers young and old have embraced this new form of literature like a long lost relative.

Nikki Turner, Vickie Stringer and Noire are some of the biggest names in the literary industry that have made their mark is in this genre of literature. Painting vivid tales of the hood and the get rich quick life style is one that many readers can associate with, which makes the stories the authors write, more appealing. My question would be, what does this say about the mentality of African American consumers? Will readers tire out by the books end? Will they close the book at its end feeling compelled to change, or become apart of the lifestyle that has claimed so many lives of African Americans? If you live this life on a daily basis, is it as interesting to read about it? Think of it in this fashion. A woman works all day in a kitchen. Preparing meals, washing dishes and doing product counts along with prep. At the end of her shift she looks forward to going home to her family. Do you think that woman is going to want to prepare any one a plate of whatever?

Please don't be crazy and say yes! You all know if you been at work all day long doing whatever, you are not going to go home and do any job that still makes you feel as if you are still at work. True, there are people that love what they do for a living, but on the real side...what's the number to Pizza Hut?

Many publishers feel this new genre will have its funeral sooner than most think, because the stories lack substance and a good complete storyline. Whatever happened to good old, body-filled, story telling literature? Are African Americans able to produce such fiction without horrid details of the hood -life and ghetto- fabulous wishes?

Yes, they are! Many new authors (search on My Space.com) are stepping to the plate to challenge this issue. Not by complaining but producing soul stirring and spirit -lifting stories. William Frederick Cooper, Naomi Pitri, Kerry Wager, Javon64, Dedan Tolbert, Kisha Green, Stanice Anderson, O'Shea, Paula Edwards, Lila Jefferson, Michael Harrison and so many other talented authors are putting quality work out on the shelves, which deflect away from street tales and ghetto life.

I personally feel that as long as the story has something that the reader can relate to and the story has just as much body as L.L. Cool J---hey, have it your way! I feel that this genre of writing will last as long as the Authors, keep it original! There's plenty of opportunities out there for everyone. I think readers outside of the African American culture that have read this type of literature are trying to identify with blacks and the trials and tribulations we face as a race. I implore everyone to step outside of their comfort zone to read a different genre of literature. You may be surprised by what you, read, feel and think.