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Caught Up in the Rapture
THE #1 BLACKBOARD BESTSELLER
Meet Jazmine Deems: she's twenty-six, steppin' out from under her overprotective preacher father, and determined to escape the streets of South Central and realize her dream of making it in the music business.
Meet X-Man: he's embroiled in the violence of the streets, and seems destined for a life spent hangin' with his homies -- until his talent as a tapper attracts the attention of a big-lime record producer.
Fate brings Jazmine and X-Man together as promising young stars for the same record company. They thrive on the excitement of their new careers and passionate love, until a power-hungry executive pits them against each other, jeopardizing both their musical careers and romantic future. Follow Jazmine and X-man as they discover that with the right mix of love and determination, it doesn't matter where you're from, it's where you're at.
Meet Jazmine Deems: she's twenty-six, steppin' out from under her overprotective preacher father, and determined to escape the streets of South Central and realize her dream of making it in the music business.
Meet X-Man: he's embroiled in the violence of the streets, and seems destined for a life spent hangin' with his homies -- until his talent as a tapper attracts the attention of a big-lime record producer.
Fate brings Jazmine and X-Man together as promising young stars for the same record company. They thrive on the excitement of their new careers and passionate love, until a power-hungry executive pits them against each other, jeopardizing both their musical careers and romantic future. Follow Jazmine and X-man as they discover that with the right mix of love and determination, it doesn't matter where you're from, it's where you're at.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 31, 2010
Excellent first novel. Clever writing and very engaging. A MUST read!
unfinished
February 21, 2019DNF-ed. There was just so much slut shaming and fat shaming in the first two chapters, I couldn't make it through the third.
September 26, 2012
Ive read this novel over 20x and I can never get enough! best book by sheneska in my opinion
May 9, 2018
I did not like this read.....X was the only character I felt was redeeming and he did not deserve her treatment of him especially because she forgive her girl that wronged her....like really.
October 8, 2013
Oh how I adored Jazmine, I fell in love with her simple yet shining personality. Even though I thought her a bit old to be up under her father the way she was, I was glad to watch her come into her own. Xavier became so loveable to me once he fell in love. It didn't come off as "soft" but endearing, you can be hood but still have a heart for that special someone. This book was like the music version of love and basketball, title wise. Although the ending kind of left it open to interpretation as to what happens next, I liked it. Even with fame, these two still seemed very down to earth and just trying to live out their dreams while trying not to fall victim to the obstacles thrown their way. Even when they couldn't dodge all the twists and turns thrown their way, it may have knocked them down but they weren't out. This book is dated, so I had to remember what time frame I was reading in but it still was a feel good read for me.
November 9, 2024
I love Sheneska Jackson’s books! This is the third book I’ve read by this author and she just amazes me every time. Very hard topics addressed in this book.
Very current and eye opening read despite it being written decades ago. I highly recommend and encourage others to read books by Sheneska Jackson!
Very current and eye opening read despite it being written decades ago. I highly recommend and encourage others to read books by Sheneska Jackson!
March 8, 2017
I read this book several years ago and fell in love with urban fiction. I loved he flow of the story, the characters were engaging and every young girl could relate to the story. Still a read that I would highly recommend.
November 20, 2017
A new to me author about two people from different walks of life and their life at a record company. I enjoyed it and will be looking for more of her books from the library.
October 2, 2020
This book was so good.
December 21, 2022
the book is slow to start but around page 100 the story really picks up and makes for a good read
February 23, 2022
“Caught up in the rapture” is a roller coaster ride of a novel
about two young people from South-Central Los Angeles who have dreams of working in the music industry but face various personal and professional trials along the way.
The novel focuses on the journeys of three separate characters, Jasmine “Jazz” Deems, Xavier “X” Honor, and Bobby Strong. The novel begins by introducing the reader to Jazz who is a twenty-six year old woman living at home with her preacher father. Although Jazz longs to leave her overprotective father, he often guilt trips her about missing church and falling to worldly influences. While Jazz tries to balance between making her father happy, working on her masters degree at UCLA, working a part time job, and working to break into the music industry as a singer, she finds herself becoming pulled into too many different directions and is ready to leave her father’s house and become independent. Luckily, Jazz finds support and encouragement through her best friend since high school, Dakota.
On the other side of town is Xavier “X” Honor, rapper and former gang member. He spends his days writing raps and hanging out with his two childhood friends T-Bone and Rich. Although X was an active gang member when he was younger, he now realizes that gang life will lead to an early death. He decides to start a rap group with Rich and T-Bone in hopes the he will receive a music contract.
Bobby Strong is an record executive at Black Tie Records. Bobby’s backstory is that he was raised by his grandmother after his parents deaths at the age of nine. After an embarrassing situation involving him singing at a local talent show, Bobby redirects his love of music into music savvy and can soon tell by listening if a song will be a hit or not. Eventually, Bobby is able to score a chance meeting with president of Black Tie Records and he quickly moves up the ranks to vp of promotions. In an effort to secure the presidency of Black Tie Records, Bobby decides that the label needs a crossover artist who be a megastar; someone who could appeal to black and white audiences.
Jazz and X meet at a party run by a Black Tie Records. Although X is immediately attracted to Jazz, it takes her a little while long before she warms to X’s romantic advances. By the end of the night, both Jazz and X are one step closer to achieving their musical dreams.
Bobby sees Jasmine as the musician that can take his career to the next level and begins working with her. While things seem to be going well to Jazz, in reality, Bobby’s world is falling apart due to increased drug use. As the novel progresses, Bobby becomes more and more delusional regarding his professional future as well as his personal life.
Jazz and X eventually begin dating and although things are going well, ghosts from X’s past life threaten to ruin his budding relationship with Jazz and the musical career he’s worked hard for.
I really enjoyed this book and can see why it’s viewed as one of the well known titles in the urban fiction genre. I liked the author presents black people with varying skin tones as well as backgrounds and although Jazz and X were both born and raised in South-Central, their life experiences are completely different.
I resonated with Jazmine since I too have experienced strict rules about music, makeup, and clothing at the hands of a single parent. Although the parent views these rules as a way to protect their child, more often then not, the child ends up rebelling when given a chance.
Reading this novel brought up good memories from my high school days of things like “The Arsenio Hall Show,” “Fashion Fair” makeup and Def Jam Comedy Show. Reading this novel also showed how certain things have changed with the passage of time such as white rappers being embraced by the African American community and an increase and bigger acceptance of interracial relationships.
I had three annoyances with the novel which was Jazz’ naivety and her perspective of all men being either all good or are all dogs. I also didn’t like how judgmental Jazz was of Dakota although Dakota constantly seemed to be working her help Jazz reach her full potential.
about two young people from South-Central Los Angeles who have dreams of working in the music industry but face various personal and professional trials along the way.
The novel focuses on the journeys of three separate characters, Jasmine “Jazz” Deems, Xavier “X” Honor, and Bobby Strong. The novel begins by introducing the reader to Jazz who is a twenty-six year old woman living at home with her preacher father. Although Jazz longs to leave her overprotective father, he often guilt trips her about missing church and falling to worldly influences. While Jazz tries to balance between making her father happy, working on her masters degree at UCLA, working a part time job, and working to break into the music industry as a singer, she finds herself becoming pulled into too many different directions and is ready to leave her father’s house and become independent. Luckily, Jazz finds support and encouragement through her best friend since high school, Dakota.
On the other side of town is Xavier “X” Honor, rapper and former gang member. He spends his days writing raps and hanging out with his two childhood friends T-Bone and Rich. Although X was an active gang member when he was younger, he now realizes that gang life will lead to an early death. He decides to start a rap group with Rich and T-Bone in hopes the he will receive a music contract.
Bobby Strong is an record executive at Black Tie Records. Bobby’s backstory is that he was raised by his grandmother after his parents deaths at the age of nine. After an embarrassing situation involving him singing at a local talent show, Bobby redirects his love of music into music savvy and can soon tell by listening if a song will be a hit or not. Eventually, Bobby is able to score a chance meeting with president of Black Tie Records and he quickly moves up the ranks to vp of promotions. In an effort to secure the presidency of Black Tie Records, Bobby decides that the label needs a crossover artist who be a megastar; someone who could appeal to black and white audiences.
Jazz and X meet at a party run by a Black Tie Records. Although X is immediately attracted to Jazz, it takes her a little while long before she warms to X’s romantic advances. By the end of the night, both Jazz and X are one step closer to achieving their musical dreams.
Bobby sees Jasmine as the musician that can take his career to the next level and begins working with her. While things seem to be going well to Jazz, in reality, Bobby’s world is falling apart due to increased drug use. As the novel progresses, Bobby becomes more and more delusional regarding his professional future as well as his personal life.
Jazz and X eventually begin dating and although things are going well, ghosts from X’s past life threaten to ruin his budding relationship with Jazz and the musical career he’s worked hard for.
I really enjoyed this book and can see why it’s viewed as one of the well known titles in the urban fiction genre. I liked the author presents black people with varying skin tones as well as backgrounds and although Jazz and X were both born and raised in South-Central, their life experiences are completely different.
I resonated with Jazmine since I too have experienced strict rules about music, makeup, and clothing at the hands of a single parent. Although the parent views these rules as a way to protect their child, more often then not, the child ends up rebelling when given a chance.
Reading this novel brought up good memories from my high school days of things like “The Arsenio Hall Show,” “Fashion Fair” makeup and Def Jam Comedy Show. Reading this novel also showed how certain things have changed with the passage of time such as white rappers being embraced by the African American community and an increase and bigger acceptance of interracial relationships.
I had three annoyances with the novel which was Jazz’ naivety and her perspective of all men being either all good or are all dogs. I also didn’t like how judgmental Jazz was of Dakota although Dakota constantly seemed to be working her help Jazz reach her full potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2017
As a child I was an avid reader, my shelves were filled with Beverly Clearly and Judy Blume. By the time my teen years roared in, my downtime was filled with music, dancing and hanging with the girls... crack a book? Cha!
In 1991, my mom bought this book for me as a Christmas gift, and it was that season that sparked my foray back into reading for entertainment... I haven't stopped since. That's all I need to say, if you are unfamiliar with Ms. Jackson well then I suggest this be your first taste.
In 1991, my mom bought this book for me as a Christmas gift, and it was that season that sparked my foray back into reading for entertainment... I haven't stopped since. That's all I need to say, if you are unfamiliar with Ms. Jackson well then I suggest this be your first taste.
July 8, 2012
Now this book was actually good by sheneska.
September 6, 2017
Great read
Read
June 10, 2016Read back when first released.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews