Backstage: Stories

by Nikki Turner

The undisputed Queen of Hip-Hop Fiction presents five knockout tales set in the fast-paced, high-stakes rap game–written by a hot lineup of authors with unmistakable swag and a gift for dropping sexy, thrilling stories.

From a big-time hustler who can’t give up the streets–even when it might cost him his rap career–to a fearless female emcee who goes both ways in the bedroom, these characters steam up the pages as they set out to make their mark, outsmart all the haters and hustlers looking to derail them, and rise to the top of the charts.

Backstage is a VIP pass to the glamorous, gritty music industry, a world Nikki Turner knows intimately–as she introduces writers you’ll want to read again and again.

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

After Nikki Turner read The Coldest Winter Ever by Sistah Souljah she was dismayed that there weren't other books like it. "I wanted to write the kinds of books I wanted to read," said the bestselling author, whose 2002 debut novel, A Hustler's Wife, would go on to sell more than a few 100,000 copies.
While Nikki Turner's first two novels were published by a small publishing house in the Midwest, in 2004 she signed a 2-book deal with One World, an imprint of Ballantine Books, which is part of The Random House Publishing Group. After publishing the first book under that deal, The Glamorous Life in 2005 as well as a short story collection edited by Nikki, Street Chronicles: Tales from da Hood, One World quickly signed Nikki up for three more Nikki Turner Original novels and negotiated a deal with her for her own book line, Nikki Turner Presents. "I want to give new authors the same kind of opportunity I was given," said Nikki. "I want to produce authors who will be household names."

(Taken from author's website)

Reviews

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book just didn’t do it for me !!!!! I love contemporary urban fiction but this book is just too dated & super out there for me .... I believe Nikki can stand alone and I’m always disappointed when Nikki teams up with other authors because their stories are not as good as they could be .... maybe someone else likes this .... I just didn’t but it was super nice for Nikki to help other authors ..... hopefully they’ve gotten better at their craft ....

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are 5 authors telling one story each here, with Turner included. Dana Dane and Styles P do the Intro and Outro, respectively. Krista Johns is the first author and I liked her story, 'I'm Good', a lot.
The second is Turley with 'Chasing The Ring' and this was also pretty good. Third comes Adams with 'Stolen Legacy' and I liked this as well so I figured I was on a roll.
Next came Ave with 'Lose To Win' which was very decent but focused on basketball which isn't my thing so I wasn't feeling this as much as the others.
Lastly, Turner came with 'Gun Music' which was of course hot. She didn't disappoint.
I liked, besides Turner's the first and second stories the best and wouldn't hesitate to read either one or preferably both, in a full length book. These are all new authors that I know of and the only one I've heard of before is Turley so it's obvious that Nikki Turner knows how to find talent and bring it.
I'm not sure what all the fuss about "backstage" was about though. Before and after the stories there was a lot of talk about "letting the reader in" to see what the backstage is like and that "everyone dreams of being backstage". Um, not sure about everyone else but I have dreams and they sure aren't of being backstage. Actually, in all honesty, I don't think I've ever wondered what being backstage was even like. Maybe at 12 I guess. No, not even then actually. Maybe I'm not the average person though so whatever.
If you're wondering what being backstage is like this might do it for you - it claims to do it for you anyway. If you just like a good compilation then this might be your book too.

[Lena♥(Nothing Like Your Last,Im Your Present) Lakeisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the stories was good in this book,but my favorite was "Gun Music" of course by the Queen herself Nikki Turner! :)

[MIAMOR ITAUMA]

HATED IT.... SORRY

[E G · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like it all. slow read. I think. I'm growing out of the Milking Turner phase. You be the judge!

[Missshortie · Rating 3 out of 5]

so far good on last chapter hope nikki coms through :-)

[Natasha Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book literally had me ok the edge of my seat after short story. This is the book you read if you really want something to keep you interested.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

A star for each story that I enjoyed.

[Teaguem2005 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book consists of 5 stories by various authors. Each has the common thread of the music industry. The last story was my least favorite. Overall, it was a pretty good compilation