Urban Reviews: Tell our
readers about Code-47.
Justin Thomas: Code-47 is the
story of a young Black schemer named Keith Joseph. Keith is
ready to use his con skills to turn the music industry upside
down, expose its plans against Black artists and its Black
audience, and ultimately make the system destroy itself.
Urban Reviews: Where did you
come up with the idea for this novel?
Justin Thomas: I’m constantly hearing our
people [Black people] complaining about Hip Hop, the music
industry, and how we are constantly slighted by it. I have a
lot of friends who have either been in the industry, or are in
the music industry. Several characters in Code-47 are
based on these friends of mine. I decided to create a story
about young, intelligent Black characters (men and women) that
create Hip Hop songs that act like Negro Spirituals. They look
like the average thug, Hip Hop songs, but they actually are
encoded with ancient Black concepts and spirituality. When the
Black audience begins to decode the songs and start to learn
and wakeup, and White record executives find out the true
meaning of the songs, it becomes explosive. I’ve always
described the book as Harlem Nights meets Ocean’s
Eleven.
Urban Reviews: What made you
want to try your hand at writing?
Justin Thomas: God.
Urban Reviews: What are
your goals as a writer?
Justin Thomas: To educate. I know my
writing can shake people. Not many people like what I write. I
challenge Black people to think. This ain’t a street novel.
This ain’t a ho’ book. This isn’t a 300 page personal about a
failed romance. This is about a group of Black people who
fight back, they don’t complain, they take action
intelligently, outsmarting the system. The information learned
can be scary. When the reader learns it, he or she must then
take responsibility of what has been learned, and too must act
upon it. This book is not about downing Black men or Black
women. It does not just state problems but finds a solution to
them.
Urban Reviews: Has the book
business been everything you had imagined it would be?
Justin Thomas: Yes. I love the business
as much as the creativity. Most artists concentrate on just
the art, but business must always be learned. Business too can
be an art. I have gone between two wonderful Black companies:
DaChosen Publishing (with my first book) and now
Ancient-Art-of-Facts (that accommodate my prolific writing
schedule). They are not afraid to be different and showcase
other types of Black writers.
Urban Reviews: If you
could change one or more things relating to your book, what
would it be?
Justin Thomas: I was so involved with the
editing process that I’m very content with the final product.
Urban Reviews: Do you have
any ideas or planned releases for the future?
Justin Thomas: Yes. I’m writing a book
that will be released late 2009. It’s historical fiction. You
can follow the progress of the book on my blog
http://the1120spot.blogspot.com/. I have also finished my
second epic poem, which will be released next year.
Urban Reviews: Do you have
any favorite authors or books?
Justin Thomas: Like any good author, I
try and read books about history. I always stress to do
research. My favorite will always be Blacked Out Through
Whitewash by Dr. Suzar Epps. It’s a heavy book. Proceed
with caution. All illusions will be shattered.
Urban Reviews: What do
you like to do outside of writing?
Justin Thomas: Hangout in Brooklyn—or the
city at large—with my fiancée and friends.
Urban Reviews:
Is there anything else you would like to share about
yourself or your novel?
Justin Thomas: To
semi-quote the Joker … “This [scene] deserves a better class
of [writer]. And I’m gonna give it to ‘em. You’ll see. I’ll
show you. Starting tonight [mediocrity] will die. I’m a man of
my word.” |
