On the Come Up

The story is set in Garden Heights, the same neighborhood as The Hate U Give. The protagonist of the story is Brianna Jackson, a sixteen-year-old aspiring rapper who goes by the name of Bri. Bri is a talented rapper who dreams of making it big in the music industry. She is also dealing with the challenges of growing up in a poor neighborhood, where violence and drugs are rampant. Bri’s mother, Jay, is a recovering drug addict who is struggling to make ends meet. Bri’s father, Lawless, was a rapper who was killed in a gang-related shooting when Bri was young.

The story begins with Bri performing at a rap battle at a local club. She delivers a powerful performance that goes viral on social media. This leads to her getting noticed by a record label executive, who offers her a contract. Bri sees this as her chance to make it big and help her family out of poverty. However, things don’t go as planned, and Bri finds herself facing numerous challenges.

One of the main themes of the story is identity. Bri is struggling to find her place in the world and figure out who she is. She is torn between her desire to be a successful rapper and her loyalty to her family and community. Bri’s mother is worried that Bri will become too focused on her career and forget about her roots. Bri’s friends are also struggling with their identities. Sonny, Bri’s best friend, is dealing with his sexuality and the pressure to conform to societal norms. Malik, another friend, is torn between his loyalty to his gang and his desire to do the right thing.

Another theme of the story is family. Bri’s family is at the center of the story, and their relationships are complex and nuanced. Bri loves her family deeply, but she is also frustrated by their struggles. She feels like she has to take on the burden of providing for them, which puts a lot of pressure on her. Jay, Bri’s mother, is a complex character who is trying to do the best she can for her family. She is a recovering drug addict who is struggling to stay clean and provide for her children. Lawless, Bri’s father, is a ghostly presence in the story, but his legacy looms large over Bri’s life.

Poverty is another theme that is explored in the story. Bri’s family is struggling to make ends meet, and they are constantly worried about money. Bri’s mother works long hours at a hospital, but she still can’t afford to pay the bills. Bri’s brother, Trey, is dealing drugs to make ends meet, which puts him in danger. Bri’s friends are also struggling with poverty. Sonny’s family is living in a homeless shelter, and Malik’s family is struggling to pay for his sister’s medical bills.

Racism is also a theme that is explored in the story. Bri and her friends are constantly dealing with racism and discrimination. They are often judged by their appearance and their neighborhood, and they are treated unfairly by the police and other authority figures. Bri’s mother is also dealing with racism at her job, where she is often passed over for promotions because of her race.

The audiobook is narrated by Bahni Turpin, who does an excellent job of bringing the story to life. Turpin’s narration is powerful and emotional, and she captures the nuances of the characters’ voices and personalities. Her narration adds depth and complexity to the story, and it makes the audiobook a compelling and engaging listen.

Overall, On the Come Up audiobook is a powerful and emotional story that explores important themes and issues. It is a story about identity, family, poverty, and racism, and it is a story that will resonate with readers and listeners of all ages. The audiobook is narrated by Bahni Turpin, who does an excellent job of bringing the story to life. If you enjoyed The Hate U Give, then you will definitely enjoy On the Come Up audiobook.