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 Nikki Turner:
Queen of Hip Hop Fiction
by Seth "Soul Man" Ferranti
Urban Book Source
July 2007
Nikki Turner is doing it. The author of the street lit classic, A Hustlers Wife, is truly the Queen of Hip-Hop fiction. She’s gone from first-time author to industry icon. With recent articles in Vibe and Ebony, she is definitely stepping up her game. But it’s not like she’s some new jack; she’s been down since day one. Nikki first got in the game signing with industry leader Triple Crown before moving to Urban Books and setting herself up to sign her first deal with Random House/Ballentine where she now has her own imprint, Nikki Turner Presents. Just like Teri Woods before her, Nikki is ready to bring it with all guns blazing. Her recent releases include Riding Dirty on I-95, the G-unit book Death Before Dishonor, and Forever A Hustlers Wife, the sequel to the street lit classic. But her real venture is the Street Chronicles series doing for urban lit what 50 Cent did for mixtapes.
“Street Chronicles is my baby,” Nikki says. “I put my blood, sweat, and tears into that series. Initially I created it as a vehicle for new and upcoming authors to be put on. In the process I somehow ended up getting already published and established authors to come under my umbrella.” And the series is hot featuring new authors like Seven, Ghost, Akbar Pary and Seth “Soul Man” Ferranti. So far two books are out, Tales from the Hood and Girls in the Game, with a third, Christmas Tales from the Hood, slated for release in September, but that’s not all Nikki has on her plate.Nikki Turner at BEA 2007, book signing
“I have Riding Dirty on I-95,” which she did a nation wide book tour for last fall, she says. “I have my book that launched the G-unit imprint for 50 Cent, Death Before Dishonor. And I have Forever a Hustlers Wife, which just came out. Also part one of that is in production and scheduled to hit the big screen soon.” Still the authors whose books have sold in the multiple 6 figures and have stayed on the Essence and Don Diva magazine bestsellers list keeps its real about what she’s learned in the publishing game.
“I’ve learned that integrity counts for everything,” she says. “And although I’ve witnessed people that lack integrity I’m proud to say that through it all I’ve maintained mine. I also feel that I symbolize a woman who’s the epitome of a real chic on a mission. I am the true definition of real life drama in all its splendor and as I pen every story I want my sisters out there to know that through me, their mission is considered accomplished.” Nikki just doesn’t write it she lives it. In the forward for Forever A Hustlers Wife she confesses what she was involved in and how her man got locked down for life. It’s not all a storybook ending but in her novels Nikki tries to give a happy ending.
“Most of my days are merely drama filled and can fit in between the chapters of any Nikki Turner original book. I’ve always been inspired by real life drama, the joys, the pain, the hurt, and the love, trust me they make for the best stories.” And Nikki should know as she’s written them. From A Hustlers Wife and Project Chick to Girls in Da Hood, Glamorous Life and her new projects Nikki is a major player in the street lit market and her words read true. To learn more on Nikki Turner visit www.nikkiturner.com
Seth Ferranti is a contributing writer for The Urban Book Source and accomplished journalist having written articles for Don Diva, Slam, King, Feds and many more. View more of his articles at: www.gorillaconvict.com
THE URBAN BOOK SOURCE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COMMENTS THAT ARE POSTED. IF A COMMENT IS DEFAMATORY, PLEASE CONTACT US AND APPROPRIATE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN.
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PS, when you eat with Nikki and you dont have a date with you, she might take the check for the whole table... that was good for me because i was the broke author then...
but i love yarni she is nikki turner