Caught Up in the Rapture

Two young African Americans hoping for pop-music stardom become lovers-and pawns in a record-company power struggle-in this earnest debut. Jazmine Deems, a 26-year-old UCLA student anxious to escape her father's strict household, envies the freedom enjoyed by her best friend, Dakota, who introduces her to popular music, current fashion and sexy guys. Life hasn't been as smooth for Xavier Honor, aka X-Man, whose ""family"" consists of two street buddies and who hopes to rap his way out of the 'hood. X-Man and Jazmine meet at a party thrown by Black Tie Records, the company where producer Bobby Strong, having stumbled during his climb to the top, is looking over his shoulder at young producer Kirk Walker. Jazmine signs with Black Tie after Dakota makes a secret sacrifice on her behalf; X-Man also gains a contract. The two fall in love, while Bobby's world begins to crumble under pressure from his escalating drug use and bad judgment. On the eve of X-Man's and Jazmine's respective album debuts, a secret from X-Man's past becomes public, catalyzing a quick series of violent incidents. As X-Man and Jazmine narrate in alternating first-person voices, Jackson portrays the frailties and frustrations of South-Central L.A.'s residents with more compassion than subtlety. Her effort to tell a Cinderella story while retaining an attitude of hip-hop street credibility results in some awkwardness, but also in an engaging and up-to-date sudser. (May)