Literature: Hiding in Hip Hop by Terrance Dean

Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Atria; 1st Atria Books
ISBN-10: 1416553398

Hiding in Hip Hop was a great behind the scenes look into the personal lives of our favorite celebrities that are living on the DL. Although most people anticipated reading this book as a tell all book that would reveal the sexuality of some of the stars that are labeled “suspect”, Terrance Dean waved his personal life into each page and making his encounters with the gay celebrities a “guess who” instead of a “I’m telling.”

Just as it was fun and exciting as it was to figure out what artists were creeping, it was cool just get the behind the scenes look of how to get into the industry and be a success.

Terrance Dean didn’t have it easy. He was raised by his loving grandmother who was in an abusive marriage, his mother and little brother dying of aids and his relationship with his family was spiraling into an end.

Terrance experienced several sexual encounters with both males and females but nothing compared to what he experienced in LA and NY.

What is most likeable about this book is that Terrance takes his time explaining how his life he made lemonade out of the life that dealt him lemons. From being molested, death, arrest, sexual desires, fulfilled and admitting his sexuality.

We had the chance to chat with Terrance about the reason that he wrote his book and why he felt the need to share it with the public.

How did your writing career begin?
My writing career began very early in life. I would keep journals and write everything that was happening in my life. I wanted to see the patterns in my life, where I was going, and the people involved. I was always looking for a spiritual evolution to who I was.

How would you categorize your book?
My book is a memoir. It is not a tell-all. I am writing about my life and my experiences. And I guess people want to categorize it as a tell-all because they liken it to Karrine Steffans book. I did not tell anyone’s names. I did not want to ruin anyone’s careers, families, or livelihood. We still have not gotten to the point in the black community where we can talk openly about sex and sexuality. Also, I am not being vindictive and nor am I scorn. I wrote about my life, and I guess you can say it is a tell-all because I tell all my business. However, when any other celebrity or author (white person) writes a memoir and names name their books are seen as memoirs. Unfortunately a black person writes the same book and it becomes a tell-all.

Tells us about your book, Hiding in Hip Hop.

Hiding in Hip Hop, uncovers a hidden and well-known unspoken secret. Deep within the confines of Hip-Hop is a prominent gay sub-culture. It is a world that industry insiders are keenly aware of, but choose to ignore. From the testosterone of men striving to be on top and in control, to the “by any means necessary” bravado in an industry that thrives on power, homosexuality is a reality at nearly every level of Hip-Hop. Hiding in Hip Hop is a heartfelt sojourn of a young man searching for self, love, and sexual identity in the most homophobic places – the black family, community, church, and Hip Hop.

What was the reason for writing this book? Did you see a need for this book?
I wrote this book for the many men and women of color who are a part of the entertainment industry and feel as if they have no voice in a culture that demonizes and dehumanizes who we are as same gender loving people. We have made many contributions to this industry, be it in front of the camera, and behind it, we are thoroughly ingrained within the entertainment industry, and yet, we are made to feel as if our contributions are insignificant. It is a well-known industry secret that deep within the confines of Hip Hop there is a prevalent subculture of down low men and women. I also wrote this book for the many people who struggle on a daily basis personally with their family, and community. This book is about the human spirit and the will to succeed in spite of the challenges and obstacles one faces in life. Lastly, I wrote this book for myself. It is a testimony of my life and the journey of coming to terms with my sexuality and the power of living into my truth.

When you first released the book, what were people’s responses?
I am completely surprised by the response of the book. I actually thought no one would have an interest in what I had to say as it related to my life. I am extremely thankful and grateful for everyone’s support and love. I am glad that so many people have expressed to me how their lives have been affected by what I have written.

What did you think when you completed your book?
I have finally told my story. I am free. I am healed. I am whole and it feels good. Also, I knew a lot of people would connect with the book because of its contents. My story was every person’s story who has loved, lost, hoped, and prayed.

What issues, if any, do you thing should be addressed in the hip hop industry?
The issues I feel should be addressed in Hip Hop are sex and sexuality. It amazes me how so many young, old, smart, intelligent and wise people are part of the culture, yet they are so limited in their thinking when it comes to sex and sexuality. The very things you witnessed and experienced as a child are the same experiences you have in this culture, yet many artists are afraid to speak up or out.

Where did you get your inspiration for your book?
I looked at my community, my experiences of my life. I decided to release my memoir because I knew I had a story to tell. I had experienced so much in my life and I knew my story was the experience of so many black people. I wanted to encourage and inspire others with a powerful message that would resonate beyond anyone’s personal obstacles or challenges.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years, I hope that I am still able to keep people interested in my writings; books that inspire, touch, and move the human spirit. These books motivate, encourage, and uplift people. I am that type of writer. I am also looking to produce for television and film, and write more articles. I also hope that people will remain supportive of my career as an author. That is very encouraging.

What is your goal for 2009?
My goal is to complete two books and get them into the public. I also have some other projects I am working on that will be out in 2009. I am working on cologne for men, a line of women’s lingerie, and a television project. So everyone watch out for them.

Be sure to check out Terrance Dean at: http://www.terrancedean.blogspot.com/

Heather Elitou-Reviewer

Literary Review- Mississippi Sissy

Did you ever wonder if the little sissy boy that lives in your neighborhood was born that way or if his attitude and demeanor was something he picked up along the way? What about if he has ever encountered a sexual experience with a woman? If you have answered yes to any of these questions then you should be reading Mississippi Sissy.

Kevin Sessums is well known as a contributing editor at Allure magazine, and articles that have been written for Vanity Fair. He was also the executive editor for Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine. His work has also appeared in Elle, Travel + Leisure, Playboy, POZ, Out, and Show People magazines. But nothing compares to the memoir Mississippi Sissy.

Written like a true confession or a diary, the author takes you through the many adventures of his life growing up in the racist Mississippi during the 1950’s outside of Jackson. Not only was there racial prejudice but being gay was definitely nothing that was accepted easily.

Kevin was fortunate to have two caring parents and unfortunate to have lost them at a very young age. His father was a very well-known basketball player for the Knicks. He had the typical male, macho ego that would not allow him to accept his son’s sissy ways, while his mother nurtured his flamboyancy and sometimes encouraged it by allowing him to participate in sewing, wearing a witch costume for Halloween, and talking about the latest gossip coming from Hollywood and Broadway.

Sessum’s life was filled with colorful people that loved him and he shared his love affairs throughout out the book. A few of the most memorable were with the maid, Matty May who he adored and did everything for and with her until one day she quit never to return. Was it something that Kevin said? Was it something that the family had done? What happens to her later in future is shocking and heart touching.

Kevin did experience a crush on a little girl that had an interest in Kevin. She was not like your average little girl and there was much more to her then a cute face. As she and Kevin ventured out to the ball field while their mothers bathed in sun, she gave him his first experience as to what it feels to be with a girl... intimately.

There were times that were also very hard to speak of but Kevin persevered by sharing about the time he was molested by a very respected preacher who stole his innocence and used Kevin’s admiration as a means to getting what he wanted. Kevin also experienced another tragic situation as a youth that was hard to swallow as you read word for word.

Kevin also gave a confession. He and his father did something that was never to be spoken about. If anyone was to find out it would bring humiliation on them both and the entire family. As Sessum confesses to the offense, he makes it clear that it was this incident that made the secret that he share with his father a gulity pleasure.

Although it is not clear as to say whether or not a person is born gay or if it is something that they choose along the way because of an tragic experience in life that made them go in that direction. What you will learn from reading Mississippi is that Kevin enjoyed being who he was and his family accepted it lovingly or with a chaser.

Overall, I thin that Sessum’s lived a full live and he is not ashamed. He has experienced the good and the bad of growing up a sissy; there is nothing to apologize for as he is now living a life that is fulfilling to most of us. His open diary was an the opportunity for him to analyze himself and an opportunity for us to experience through a young boy what it was like to grow up a Mississippi Sissy.

Heather Elitou- Reviewer