The author of Allegedly and Monday's Not Coming has a new novel out.  It's a story fueled by hip-hop.  I like this new trend in teen lit.  I also like how this book is set in the year I graduated from high school.  Class of '98, baby!

Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson (May 21, 2019)
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.

BONUS TRACKS!
Read a preview in an Entertainment Weekly article here.
Take the "Are These Lyrics from a Drake Song or 'Let Me Hear a Rhyme'" quiz on Epic Reads website.