Pick it up to find out! Things get a little crazy, but this group of teens definitely have their hearts in the right place.

Steph, who they dub, The Architect, will take the scene by storm, they just know it, but how the heck they gonna pull it off? He should be remembered for his greatness. They won't let Steph's legacy die with him. Now they have tracks they need to share with the world. While innocently poking about Steph's room, the trio discovers he had been in a studio recording. The boys knew Steph was real into his music, but they didn't understand the passion went this far. Additionally, they find the room plastered with images and memorabilia of his favorite musical artists. Inside they find his little sister, Jasmine, also seeking solace from the crowd. Getting away from the crowd, Quadi and Jarrell head up to Steph's room, a sanctuary to which they've never gained access before. The year is 1998 and in their Brooklyn neighborhood, the murders of Biggie Smalls and Tupac are still fresh in everyone's minds.Īfter Steph's funeral, family and friends gather at Steph's Mom's place to show their respects and remember him. Why would someone want to hurt him?īut as the boys know, violence doesn't often make sense and talent certainly doesn't protect you. Steph was the best of them, a real good guy, who was also super-talented. 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.Īfter Quadir and Jarrell's best friend, Steph, is killed, the boys are in shock. When his demo catches the attention of a hotheaded music label rep, the trio must prove Steph’s talent from beyond the grave.Īs the pressure of keeping their secret grows, Quadir, Jarrell, and Jasmine are forced to confront the truth about what happened to Steph. 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. 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. Biggie Smalls was right: Things done changed. Jackson tells the story of three Brooklyn teens who plot to turn their murdered friend into a major rap star by pretending he's still alive.īrooklyn, 1998. In this striking new novel by the critically acclaimed author of Allegedly and Monday’s Not Coming, Tiffany D.

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