Music Was Visible In Unsigned Hype

Unsigned Hype
By Booker T. Mattison
Pub. Date: July 2009
4.5 out of 5 stars
PG-13 - Violence, Brief Profanity, Drug Abuse, and Sex Mentioned
Recommended

At the young age of 15, Tory Tyson aka “Terror Tory” already knows what he wants to do for the rest of his life. While he is known for his unbelievable turntable talent and hot DJing for both young and old in the community, the music industry has yet to discover him. Hopefully, that is about to change. Fat Mike and Terror Tory partner up to enter the Unsigned Hype demo contest ran by the Nation’s #1 Station, Power 97. With Fat Mike’s lyrics and rapping and Terror Tory’s beats and producing rolling through the radio speakers everywhere, fame and fortune no longer seem so out of reach. As Tory struggles to stay down to earth and focused, opinions and friendships alter and street fights hit to close to home. Why is it that whenever there is a lover, there is also a hater?

Unsigned Hype astonished me. I was amazed at how someone so culturally different than me could actually be relatable and REAL. It further impressed me with a mature teenager, Tory, as a main character.

This book was heavily based on character and integrity. Tory was faced with many moral decisions along his journey and his inner battle between selfishness and selflessness was clearly depicted. A battle which every teenager faces. He didn’t want to become stuck up and self-righteous or prideful of his humbleness and his less than impressive neighborhood. More than anything Tory wanted to keep his outlook grounded. As Robert Teitel said, “Tory keeps it real, but also keeps it right.” Because of his ongoing fight to do what’s right, he is a positive role model for teen boys (and girls).

The producing of rap beats is completely foreign to me. Yet, every stage of the process described in the book was amazingly clear. I could see the overlaying of old tracks. The addition of everyday noise, like rain or trains, seemed effortless and flowed from one raw beat to the next. It was full of depth and power. Music was visible in Unsigned Hype.

At times, I stumbled over some of the dialogue. It was written in, how do you say, a lighter dialect of street talk (like Moms instead of Mom), but by page 3 I had my footing again.

Unsigned Hype uniquely illustrated a rapping world full of fame and fortune through the eyes of a level-headed talented guy who wished to do what’s right.

Date Reviewed: June 6th, 2009

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