Mogul

Dean (Hiding in Hip Hop: On the Down Low in the Entertainment Industry%E2%80%94from Music to Hollywood) continues his controversial coverage of the down low lifestyle with a disappointing and salacious debut novel. Aaron Tremble, aka Big A.T., a hugely successful hip-hop producer, is about to give a press conference to make the biggest announcement of his life, one that could ruin his career and for sure his relationship with his girlfriend and baby momma, Jasmine, but as he's about to say the words, he passes out and falls over backwards in front of the hordes of waiting reporters. Buying himself some time, Big A.T. reflects on his sexual awakening as a gay teen and his start in the music world. He was a hungry young producer when he was introduced to Pop, who hooked him up with a group of powerful, influential and secretly gay industry movers and shakers. With the help of this circle, Big A.T. rose quickly to the top. But compromising photos appear, and he's got to make the decision whether to come out of the closet. Dare he expose the world of hip-hop in all its macho posturing? Unfortunately, Dean's got the subject for a compelling novel, but he doesn't have the story. There's not a sympathetic character in the bunch, the dialogue is wooden, and transgressions have no consequences. It's all set up for a sequel; hopefully, not for more of the same. (June)