Riding Rhythm [Paperback]

Jihad (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2006

Riding Rhythm is a love story set in the early 1970's and 80's Chicago, Atlanta, and D.C. Rhythm is a college student in D.C. whom learns of Moses King, the man who started the Disciples, the largest street gang in Chicago. She reads his court case and the inconsistencies in his trial transcripts leads her to write him, asking him if he really did kill and rape the black Chicago Congressman Perry Homes and his wife Fiona. It seems so unlikely because Moses and his Disciples were like Robin Hood and the forty thieves in multiples on the Southside of Chicago. The letters start to flow back and forth and Rhythm changes her major to criminal justice and becomes an attorney to fight the system that has incarcerated the man she falls in love with.

Moses started the Disciples to make a positive impact on the black community. The Disciples head up book drives, they feed the hungry, and they start free breakfast programs with the Panthers. They hijack trucks and rob corporate America to finance their operation in the beginning.

His estranged brother the Bishop Solomon "the soul king" King has his own agenda it seems as he rises to be one of the nations most controversial and popular Baptist ministers.

Lawrence One Free is Moses' friend and mentor that ran the Atlanta Federal Pen's law library while he was locked up with Moses. In prison they form a lifelong bond. In prison Law causes Moses to change the direction of the Disciples for what he thinks is the greater good.

Pablo "Picasso" Nkrumah is the black Cuban brother who was one of the 12 kings in the Disciple nation until Moses went down, then Picasso broke off and started the Gangsta Gods a rival gang that sold heroine and cocaine like they had a license.

The Chicago police commissioner and the F.B.I. are always one step ahead of Moses, Picasso, Law, and Solomon, until Rhythm brings everyone together and teaches what the power of love and unity can accomplish. She shows what the real meaning of freedom is. And when Rhythm touches the lives of these men, everything changes and all hell breaks loose and Rhythm's heavenly flow shows hell what love can do.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Urban Books (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893196488
• ISBN-13: 978-1893196483
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #896,933 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Riding Rhythm, May 4, 2007

By 

Lenda Foster - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Riding Rhythm (Paperback)

An EXCELLENT READ! There was never a slow moment in reading this book -- from start to finish. The story line was one you could believe and imagine all the characters in real life. In my vision, its already a movie with Queen Latifah staring as Rhythm. A Mo' Better View book club selection that we rate A+. The author is a very charming and personable young man.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of the Best, March 18, 2007

By 

C. A. Webb "Conversations Book Club" (Jackson, MS) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Riding Rhythm (Paperback)

Jihad surprisd me with this one. Having read STREET LIFE before picking up RIDING RHYTHM, you almost think you know what to expect from him. I was wrong. Using the skills of a seasoned storyteller, Jihad is able to weave together a tale that will capture the attention of his loyal followers as well as draft a few new ones along the way. This book has it all: an unescapable love story, intrigue and the twists that you have come to look forward to. It's true what they say: when you're hot, your hot. And Jihad is quickly riding to the top of the heap.

4.0 out of 5 stars (RAW Rating: 4.5) - Revolution of the mind, February 8, 2007

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Riding Rhythm (Paperback)

Rhythm Azure, a young freedom-fighting law student at Howard University, gets caught up in the fight of Moses King, a young activist from Chicago.

From early childhood, Moses marched to the beat of a different drummer; he was always aware of and in tuned to the injustices that plagued people of color. When in his teens he founded The Disciples, one of the largest gangs in Chicago, to help educate underprivileged youth. But as Moses gained recognition, he gained power and he had to be stopped. Bogus murder and rape charges sealed his destiny.

Rhythm first learns of Moses' plight through her college roommate. She started a correspondence with Moses to fight for his freedom, and found in him a kindred spirit. With Rhythm on the outside fighting, and a fellow inmate on the inside educating him, Moses began to rewrite his destiny. As he and Rhythm move towards a committment beyong physical, they encounter corruption and conspiracy involving government officials that threaten to destroy the city. The closer Rhythm gets to the truth the more endangered their lives become. Rhythm seeks help from Chicago's two largest rival street gangs.

RIDING RHYTHM goes beyond street fiction, it is a suspenseful story set in the 70s and 80s. A time when African-Americans were hungry for better communities and Black pride was a commodity. The characters are fierce, but real as they engulf the gamut of human emotions. The writing is refreshing, the pace is fast, and the ending is justifiably climatic. JiHAD takes the reader on an internal roller-coaster ride with a story that will jar the awareness and reinforce the fact that we are not THERE yet. RIDING RHYTHM captivated me.

Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers