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Flying Off Teen Fiction Bookshelves in Philadelphia Public Libraries
Street lit" novels (also called "urban fiction," "hip novels, " "black pulp fiction, " "ghetto lit," and "gangsta lit") have captured the interest of a sizeable portion of an underserved young adult population: the urban African American teenager. Traditionally considered reluctant readers, many inner-city teens are now reading because of street lit. These novels tell stories that reflect many of the harsh realities of inner-city life, such as sex, drugs, violence, and fear for one's physical safety. The target audience for street lit is typically African Americans within the twenty to forty-four age range, although teens and preteens are avid readers as well. For the most part, the readership is working class and lives in urban settings similar to those depicted in the books. This article traces the cultural origins of this emerging genre, defines it in detail, and explores why inner-city teenagers at one branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia are passionate about reading it.
The Culture of Hip-Hop and the Origins of Street Lit
Hip-hop, the cultural progenitor of street lit, is "a youth subculture, originating amongst the Black and Hispanic populations of New York City, which comprises elements such as rap music, graffiti art, and breakdancing, as well as distinctive codes of dress."1 From fashion brand names like Roca Wear and Sean John, to airbrush art on clothing, nails, and skin, hip-hop has influenced many aspects of modern American culture. Adults and young adults alike are emulating hip-hop celebrities with tattoos and piercings, and speaking the language of street slang and Spanglish. Hip-hop has emerged as a viable influence in many areas of popular culture, not just in the United States, but across the globe. According to Eric Hellweg, hip-hop "is to America's global cultural heritage what jazz was eighty years ago."2
Hip-hop's contribution to literature is extensive. The beatnik café houses of the 1960s have seen a revival in the spokenword poetry movement that has merged into the mainstream with such poetmusicians as Jill Scott and Jewel. A number of popular magazines focus on hip-hop culture, such as Vibe and XXL, and their readerships grow each year.
During the past few years, hip-hop has also gained academic attention. Many universities...