Let Me Hear a Rhyme

In this striking new novel by the critically acclaimed author of Allegedly and Monday’s Not Coming, Tiffany D. 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.

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.

In a world of secrets and lies, can they find justice for Steph before his fame destroys them all?

• Friendship and Loyalty: Quadir, Jarrell, and Jasmine risk everything to make sure their friend’s rhymes aren’t forgotten.
• A Coming of Age Story: Navigating grief, ambition, and the secrets that threaten to tear them apart, the friends must decide who they can trust.
• Secrets and Lies: Everyone has a version of what happened the night Steph died. But as the friends dig for the truth, they realize the biggest secrets might be their own.
• An Ode to 90s Hip Hop: Steeped in the music and culture of 1998 Brooklyn, this story is a love letter to the golden age of rap.