Customer Reviews

The Haunting of Hip Hop: A Novel

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While searching through the library for an interesting book, I came across this beautifully decorated book. As I read the inside cover of the book, I was immediately caught up in it. As I started to read the book, I was completely into the story (finsihing it in a little over 3 hours). This book is indeed one of the first that I have read that include the ancestors, ancestoral spirits, the present and the images of hip-hop as it has evolved today. The book gave me a different view of the knowledge that I have about African-American history--past an present. Dr. Berry did an excellent job of incorporating all aspects of African-American history in the story. I was so moved that I bought 3 copies--one for each of my three children. I hope to read her other works and recommend this book to anyone who is semi-conscious of their heritage. For those who are conscious, it is a must.

The Haunting of Hip Hop is a small but powerful little fictional book that reads like non-fiction.

Harry "Freedom" Hudson has the Midas touch and creates hip-hop success with every collaboration and production. One day he decides that he must have a certain house in an old Harlem neighborhood...although the house is old and run-down it seems to be calling his name. There are rumors that the house is haunted, however, Freedom isn't fazed and he requests that his lawyer, Ava Vercher, do research to purchase the house. Ava has heard about the house being haunted as well, so she decides to enlist the help of her childhood friend, Charles to go and check out the house. When Ava and Charles enter the house, they are unprepared for the group that meets them. Lo and behold, the house is truly haunted and ...these "spirit memories" include Ngozi, an African drummer whose life was brutally interrupted by slavery; Bella, a singer murdered by her white gangster lover; and Johnny, a boy who was killed by his father. Ngozi wants to pass down his beat--which contains the love that has gone out of rap music--to Freedom, while Bella just wants revenge. However, all of the spirits are waiting for Freedom to arrive so that they can take him under their wings.

The Haunting of Hip Hop was a fascinated and intriguing read. I sat down with this book on a rainy afternoon and became so engrossed by it that I was finished in a few hours. I enjoyed the symbolism of the drum and the tie to rap music. I liked how there was an ancestral tie to the present, and how the materialism and exploitive spirit of Rap was being haunted by the past. However, I was a little disappointed that after Freedom entered the house the pace of the story slowed down and sort of fizzled out. Additionally, I didn't like how Freedom's character transpired.

Overall, Haunting of Hip Hop is a fascinating and powerful little book from Bertice Berry. I recommend this book as well as Redemption Song for your reading pleasure.

In the "Haunting of Hip Hop", Berry creates a prolific story filled with mystery, drama and intrigue. Harry "Freedom" Hudson is a successful twenty-something producer of Rap and Hip Hop. Ava Vercher is Freedom's thirty-something lawyer, who is a hard hitting, anti-establishment, independent attorney who handles all of Freedom's affairs, including the purchase of a house on Tubman Terrace in New York, that Freedom is inexplicably drawn to, and is rumored to be haunted. The story unfolds when Ava and her childhood friend, Charles Campbell, an attorney who happens to represent the owner of the house, confront "The Gathering" of spirit memories who have put a call out to Freedom so that their stories could be told.
I loved Berry's writing style, as well as her plot and character development. The story, however, lacked a little substance. For example, Freedom's story and purpose were not completely developed. Also, it was not clear to me who the central character was, Freedom, Ava or Ngozi (the spirit of the captured African slave who desired to pass on the "beat" from the ancestors). I believe that Berry sacrificed "bite" for "breveity" and should have greatly expanded this very intriging tale. The "Haunting of Hip Hop", was still enjoyable and had a message that was clear and direct.

The Haunting of Hip Hop bye Berice Berry was a very insightful outlook on modern day pop culture. By creating the character of Freedom, a rapper who wanted to use his music constructively but needed to produce what was popular first, is a very common theme. The uniqueness of the novel was that every other chapter refered back to the older times of slavery when the drum, and the beat of music was used to bring different captives together by using a universal language. By connecting the two storylines realistically, and making Freedom realize the true effects of his music. Bertice Berry brought up a very interesting view on the negativity produced from rap and the affects on todays youth. The Haunting of Hip Hop was a very interesting and entertaining novel.

Berry is a master at story-telling. This story is spiritual, funny, and mystical. I was captured from the beginning and could not put it down until it was over. You will fall inlove with Freedom, Ava, and Dora.

If you've read, "Redemption Song", then you must read this story. It is a continuation of what I hope is more to come.

The Haunting of Hip Hop starts off fierce. The main character Freedom is a hip hop producer who's eager to purchase a house on Tubman Terrace in Harlem. Whenever he's there he hears this drumming sound that makes him feel like he belongs there. His lawyer Ava and her friend Charles believe the house is haunted and want him to reconsider buying the house. Trying to find out what is in the house will keep you turning the pages. Suddenly tragedy strikes and the plot slows. The secret about the house is revealed in a melodramatic way and the story ends with everyone's life changed forever for the best.

For those of you who really enjoyed Redemption Song, you'll find some of its charm in this book. It differs because of the setting and but the message is still the same.

I liked it but it's not my favorite pick of the year.

The Haunting of Hip Hop is a quick and captivating read. I finished it within a few hours and really enjoyed it. Again, in the same style of Redemption Song, Berry, intertwines the past and present masterfully. The essence of the story is that of the spirits of the past manifesting themselves out of the need tell their stories to the living in an effort ease the pain, bring peace, and resolve issues that plagued their lives. There are many lessons taught in this story, however, the focus is on the spirit, Ngozi, an African slave, and his desire to bring back the love, passion, and true unifying purpose that the drums of African once did in his beloved homeland. He feels that the drums/beats have been misused and corrupted and he must connect with super producer, Harry "Freedom" Hudson before its too late. There were some surprising twists in the plot as each of the supporting cast experiences their own awakenings. I was disappointed in some of the conclusions, but it was a great work nonetheless...highly recommended!

I have not read anything of Bertice Berry's before. I have only seen her talk show once a long time ago. This book has made me a fan. From the beginning to the end of this book my attention was captured. I have always been interested in our connection to our ancestor and how we never leave each other but are a continuation. This book weaves a story that is close to home and beleivable. From the names of the characters (Freedom, Ava, Dora, Ruth, Charles, Johnny, etc..) to the way she expresses that we as a people are all connected by God. This book is a must read for young and old.

The past, present and future of our heritage has been so wonderfully put together! Bertice has done it again. I was totally captivated by this book and I'm know you will be as well. In a few words...READ THE BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Haunting of Hip-Hop is a well-written tale of how the past affects the future.

Berry does it again weaving the past and the present. The underlying presence of the African drum is interspersed throughout the novel. We are introduced to Freedom, a successful hip-hop producer who is intrigued by a brownstone in Harlem that people feared was haunted. Freedom directs his lawyer, Ava to purchase the house for him. Ava becomes reacquainted with an old friend, Charles, a real estate attorney. Ava and Charles encounter a gathering of ghosts all of whom are a mission to settle scores in order to rest in peace. How will the ghost find peace?

The novel is full of surprises and twists to keep the reader enthralled to the end.

Berry has done an excellent job with The Haunting of Hip-Hop. She has a unique way of tying the historical influences with a present day storyline. The theme of honoring our past is alive in the novel. I look forward to the next literary offering by Berry.

Reviewed by Robilyn
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers