From Rapper to Author

by Yvette King
May 2010

Better known to the masses as one third of the hop hop group, The Lox, David Styles also known as Styles P or “The Ghost” is set to drop not an album but his debut novel on June 1, 2010. Styles P is taking his pen game to the next level with his first work of fiction, Invincible. Usually, the Queens native, collaborates with his D-Block family, Jadakiss and Sheek Louch. You probably remember “Money, Power, Respect” featuring Lil Kim and DMX or his gold solo classic A Gangter and A Gentleman. This time out, it seems quite fitting that he would team up with “the queen of hip hop fiction,” Nikki Turner and Random House for a different kind of collabo as he enters into the world of street literature.

Styles P has always had respect and street credibility as a hardcore lyrical assassin with a conscience on the mic and he is now parlaying that into the world of literature as an author. Invincible is described as an action packed mystery adventure.

Styles P tells the story of Jake Billings, a record store owner who ends up in prison and fighting for his life. Billings lives by the credo “trust no one.” Hustling, gangs, prison, death threats, women and drama is what you can expect from Invincible. It has already received some positive testimonials from noteable authors in the street literature genre such as K'wan, Shannon Holmes, Wahida Clark and Ashley & JaQuavis.

How does a rapper turn into an author? For some rappers, it might seem like a stretch. It was a natural progression as the art of storytelling and painting a picture with words are the foundation for hip hop music. Styles P always wanted to write a book and he decided that he had nothing to lose and seized the moment. Knowing the streets and already having a built in fan base did not hurt his mission of becoming an author. Life experiences, struggles, dealing with the politics of the business of music and a stint in prison for assault prepared Styles P for this latest opportunity to be creative.

It all started when he forgot to bring a book while traveling. He decided to occupy his flight time with his thoughts and Blackberry. The end result was Invincible. Styles P takes credit for writing all of the ideas with help from an editing team to pull it all together.

Styles P is not content just waiting for things to happen. He is constantly putting in work day in and day out to make his dreams become reality. He has already dropped the mixtape, The Ghost-Dub Dime and he is slated to release the Invincible soundtrack simultaneously with the book. If that is not enough, he has started working on his second novel, his solo project, The Lox next joint, and films for DVD release. The internet is already buzzing about “Man Hunt” the first leak from the Invincible soundtrack, which has Styles P teamed up with his partner in rhyme, Jadakiss.

Styles P's rap career is far from over. There is definitely more music on the horizon. When he has finally decided to put the microphone down for good, the door is open to transition from rapper to author. For more information about Invincible the novel and soundtrack, check out StylesP.net

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Raven :

Posted 19 days ago

DID KWAME WRITE THIS BOOK?

Veronica :

Posted 34 days ago

Read it.....& like the majority of urben books. Same old story....Dont waste your money. I love the song with officer ricky though. Peace

F. A. Goodwin :

Posted 72 days ago

You Reap What You Sow
http://fagoodwin.webs.com/

Lil Wayne :

Posted 91 days ago

@Hmmm! Whatever Michele. We all know your broke...Like I said Keep sucking bitch.

Hmmm? :

Posted 92 days ago

You a dumb fuck nicca....this is your post dumb nicca....let all the frustration go and formulate complete concise sentences and maybe you won't be mistaken for RA.
"@Hmmm? Bitch your TIME is up! Let me go sratight to that shit you kickin. FIRST, I was Relentless Aaron. Now you talking about you HOPE to a MAJOR PLAYER, like myself, but guess what it will never happen. Why? Because your a snake. Keep your bullshit in broke ass michigan. nuff said"........
This is your dumb a$$ typing so boo-boo you are the only idiot here. Why not take my advice sucka and chop yo fingers off. A major player in the game wouldn't be checking UBS every fuking day you piece of shyt! Matter fact you probably a female kickin' it like a dude....only a b*tch would be this messy! Hence, I'm a female bitching and entertaining your classless ass! No real nicca would spend time typing to me...a b*tch would though....you b*tch nigga! I will patiently await your response you predictable mutherfcker!

Lil Wayne :

Posted 93 days ago

@Hmmm. WTF are you talking about you idiot. YOU said I was RA, which I'm NOT. With that said. KEEP SUCKING.
@Therone. Nigga what? If all the you say is true, why CANT I BUY my wife a FISH SANDWICH IN PEACE. Nigga, you at the fish market in Long Island, harassing motherfuckers with your corney ass books, Hold that you bum ass nigga, and what the fuck are you doing sell hair prouducts. I thought you was a Publisher, etc....

Hmmm?? :

Posted 93 days ago

@ LW, wow - I really struck a nerve huh? LLH!! So you finally admit you are RA. SMDH!! You're right, enuff said. @ Shellman, I would not have given this ignorant nicca a 3 post response, but it was cool reading on what you've accomplished and your role in the industry.

Therone Shellman :

Posted 94 days ago

Today the street market is about 50% the size it was two years ago. is it because of the recession? Nope! Books are one of the cheapest forms of entertainment. How I drove the market? This is what separates me from the many big heads and big mouths. 5. I'm one of the few to fight against industry practices in regards to self published authors and independent publishers. And i have been approached by a few since then. I fought a distributor to get out their contract. Unlike most I will not accept just any contractual terms just have my titles on shelves. Today I stand as one of the few in this business who hasn't ever sold himself or integrity for a check. I could right now have a few lucrative deals. And I could right now not any of the rights to my works, be having all my stories doctored and rewritten and be looked at as property and a worker who labors for the establishment. I labor for our creator, myself and readers. The so many of them who like to come to my events to hear me speak and ask questions. The people who respect the person I am beyond being a writer...So whoever you are, when you mention my name take time to acknowledge all I mentioned.....FOR YOU BIGHEADED FOLKS WHO CLAIM TO BE RUNNING THINGS. ARE YOU RUNNING THINGS B/C YOU HAVE DEALS? PLS. THERE HAVE BEEN DEALS. AND THERE WILL BE THOSE TO COME ALOT BIGGER THAN YOURS. AND WHEN I LEAVE THE TABLE I WILL STILL BE A MAN.

Therone Shellman :

Posted 94 days ago

3. CONTINUED. Since we're on the subject of the street market let's talk about influence. By the time 2007 rolled in I already sold thousands of my own titles in the streets, and built a good relationship with a few vendors. So I now start financing a few vendors so they can expand their ventures. At one point I even start directing authors to NYC vendors so they can do signings, and also sell books to. Don't believe, ask around, and check the history. Even the people up in the majors took notice. I was offered a deal to distribute a mid sized publishers urban titles to the street market in return for a business loan. I turned it down because, of the contractual languag. About six months later I was approached for Love Don't Live Here while I was doing a street signing. It was a straight up cash deal. But they told me they wanted to change up Love Don't Live Here. Because of this I said "no!" How many authors right now signed to the majors sit quietly and let their stories be dissected? Most. 4. I stopped influencing the street market toward the end of 2008, and decide to let the authors and companies acting like they run things run the street market which basically has been the urban markets bread and butter. What happens? Within a few months about a 30% drop in sales. None of the big mouths running around tooting this and that ran to fill the void and gap left from hundreds of books not being pumped on the streets monthly.

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