What is Urban literature?

Urban Fiction

Street Fiction

Gangsta Lit

Ghetto Lit

Hip-Hop Lit

Black Pulp Fiction

What is Urban literature?“A set of fast-paced, gritty novels about street life. These novels typically take place in urban settings and feature protagonists of color, usually African Americans. Often considered the literary kin to rap music, street-lit novels feature many elements common in contemporary rap; sex, drugs, crime, flashy material goods, and up-to-date street slang”

-Megan Honig

Iceberg Slim and the rise of the “black experience novel”

Born Robert Lee Maupin in 1918 in Chicago, died of diabetes complication in 1992

Pimped from ages 18-42 before reforming

Iceberg Slim and the rise of the “black experience novel”

Incarcerated several times. Begins writing his story during a 10 month solitary confinement

Publisher Holloway House has calls for black writers to give account of the "black experience"

Iceberg Slim and the rise of the “black experience novel”

This book became the infamous 1969 work Pimp: The Story Of My Life

Iceberg Slim and the rise of the “black experience novel”

Iceberg Slim would go on to write 6 more books

Each highlighted the brutality of life in the ghetto, the criminal activity, and struggles of the ghetto's inhabitants in an unprecedented way

Donald Goines Born in Detroit In 1936,

killed by gunshot with his wife in 1974

Began writing during incarceration after reading Iceberg Slim's work

Wrote 16 titles in 5 years!

Donald Goines

Mainstream publishing first began producing modern urban fiction novels in the late 1990's

Flyy Girl (1996)by Omar Tyree

Push (1996)by Sapphire

The rise of the contemporary urban fi ction novel

The rise of the contemporary urban fi ction novel

The Coldest Winter Ever (1999)

by Sister Souljah

Sister Souljah became most successful, with 1 million copies sold

Self promotion brings tremendous growth

After Sister Souljah’s success, many writers began putting together their own stories

But publishers still hadn't gotten entirely on board

Many writers self-published and promoted, selling out of car trunks, at prison bus stops, at street booths, and online

Self promotion brings tremendous growth

These were such writers as K'wan, Vickie Stringer, Teri Woods, Nikki Turner, Tanika Lynch, and Zane, who remain extremely popular.

Many young adults read adult street lit, so it's important to know about these authors

Though marketed towards an adult audience, these books often have teenage protagonists

Signifi cant titles published in the last 12 years

Reymundo Sanchez and Sonia Rodriguez

Ex Latin Queen and Latin King wrote about experiences, lessons, and escape from circumstances

Used pen names to keep identity safe

Signifi cant titles published in the last 12 years

Reymundo Sanchez and Sonia Rodriguez

Signifi cant titles published in the last 12 years

The Precious Cummings Books by Deja King

Signifi cant titles published in the last 12 years

From Pieces To Weight by 50 Cent

The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction

During the early 2000's, both indie and major publishers began adding young adult imprints for urban/street lit

"These tamer titles tend to follow a familiar ply -- involving teen characters in the same dicey situations as adults. But unlike adult urban fiction, teen titles often keep sex and violence at arm's length. Teen street lit also often includes warnings about the harmful consequences of destructive or criminal behavior." (Pattee 30)

The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction

During the early 2000's, both indie and major publishers began adding young adult imprints for urban/street lit

"Urban lit in its pure form is nothing if not authentic, and harsh realism is its hallmark." (Peach 17)

The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction

Bluford High Series

The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction

Drama High Series by L. Divine

The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction

Kimani Tru

The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction

Hotlanta Seriesby Mitzi Miller and Denene Millne

The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction

Ride Wit' Me by Katina King

The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction

The Anderson Family Books by Alan Lawrence Sitomer

The Rise Of Young Adult Urban Fiction

Tyrell by Coe Booth

criticism and controversy

Themes Race Class Gender Sexual ity Harsh Depicti on of real ity

criticism and controversy

Content Crime Graphic Violence Graphic Sex Expl ic it Language Misogyny Homophobia

criticism and controversy

Literary Quality Spel l ing and grammar errors Heavy use of s lang Seen as “trash” or “dumbed

down l i terature”

criticism and controversy

Portrayal of African Americans Inaccurate Perpetuates racism and

stereotypes Glamorizes “thug l i festyle”

criticism and controversy

“ Actions and portrayals of one or a group of African Americans are presumed to reflect on all African American people. For this reason, upwardly mobile African American readers may be concerned that the characters, situations, and language of street lit reflect on them personally. Hidden in this fear is anxiety about social class. Elements that appear in street lit reflect a stigmatized underclass from which critics of the genre may be eager to distance themselves.”

-Megan Honig

criticism and controversy

Which shelf does Urban Lit belong on?

With Afr ican American F icti on or “Black Experience”?

Separate Urban L it secti on?

criticism and controversy

“ A s I s to o d t h e r e i n B o rd e r s , I w a s a s h a m e d a n d m o r ti fi e d to s e e my b oo ks s i tti ng o n t he s a m e s he l v e s a s t he s e ti t l e s … I m u st s a y t ha t I r eta i n v e r y l i tt l e o f t he ho p e a n d exc i te m e nt a nd e nt hu s i a s m t h a t I h a d w he n my fi r st b oo k w a s p u b l i s h e d e i g ht y e a r s a g o . I fe e l d efe a te d , d i s r e s p e c te d a nd t r o ub l e d a b ou t t h e f u t ur e o f my com m un i t y a nd my l i tt l e s u bs e c ti o n of t h i s ca r n i vo r ou s , u nfor g i v i ng i nd u st r y.”

- N i c k C h i l e sAfrican American Author

Exposure/gateway to new types of literature

Can be used as powerful literacy tool by libraries

Promotes LiteracyBenefits of Urban Lit

Benefi ts o f Urban L i t

Personal connection with text Able to read about African American

characters within modern literature Any grammatical errors and lack of

punctuation lends itself to the authentic feel

Benefi ts o f Urban L i t

Personal connection with text Reading Urban Lit “validates the reader’s

ability of urban inner-city life because it connects the fantastical (the sheer trauma of the drama in ghetto life) with narratives that say, ‘Yes, this exists; yes, this is real’…it is the streets telling their stories back to the people”

-Vanessa Irvin Morris

Benefi ts o f Urban L i t

Reading as an escape Fun to read

Very plot-driven and fast-paced Connections to hip-hop culture and well-

known brands Appeal due to controversial topics such

as sex and violence Contrast to mandatory school reading

Leisure reading enhances reading skills

Benefi ts o f Urban L i t

open lines of communication Parents can use urban lit as opportunity

to openly discuss difficult topics Stories can be viewed as “cautionary

tales” or “urban Cinderella stories”

Benefi ts o f Urban L i t

open lines of communication Can be used by reader to reflect on and

understand own lives Participation in open forums / book

discussions Re-evaluate and analyze depiction of

characters Widener Teen Street Lit Book Club run by

Philadelphia Public Library

6 steps to meeting urban lit reader’s needs

From Megan Honig’s “Takin’ it to the Street: Teens and Street Lit”

1. Respect The Genre2. Provide Satisfying Alternatives3. Provide Access4. Collect Urban Lit5. Use Urban Lit in Library Programs6. Broaden Your Collection

Recommended reads

The Bully: Bluford High Series

by Paul Langan

Drama High: So, So Hood by L. Devine

Keysha’s Drama by Kimani Tru

Recommended reads

My Bloody Life: The Making of a

Latin King by Reymundo

Sanchez

Upgrade U by Ni-Ni Simone

Who Am I Without Him

by Sharon Flake

Yummy: The Last Days of a

Southside Shorty

by G.Neri