“Unsigned Hype”
“Unsigned Hype” by Booker T. Mattison
Filmmaker and author Booker T. Mattison reads from his novel, “Unsigned Hype,” the tale of 15-year-old Tory Tyson whose dream come true turns into a real life nightmare.
MATTISON: (Reading from book) I’m sure most people my age would kill to be in my position. I have a number one record. I’m the main act at the biggest concert series in New York and I made more money in one summer than most people’s parents make in a whole year. Tory, he’s a classically trained pianist. But Tory, he’s headstrong, he’s gifted, he’s arrogant, and he’s not interested in using his musical talent to play the piano. He’s more interested in using his musical gift to produce hip-hop music, and he is able to fulfill that dream.
But Tory soon discovers that fame costs, and sometimes the price is high.
MATTISON: (Reading from book) He spins me around and handcuffs me. “You’re under arrest.” He reads me my rights as he gives the cuffs an extra tight squeeze. When we get to the police station, they hustle me into an interrogation room. A tough looking agent who could easily pass for a drill sergeant comes in, wearing a scowl instead of military fatigues. “You’re going to do a whole lot of time for this, you know that, right?”
Tory is living his dream, but the glare of the spotlight threatens to take his freedom and his life.
MATTISON: (Reading from book) Before I have time to react, he starts firing. I hold up the record that’s in my hand and fall backward. I stumble from the platform and my legs buckle underneath me. I tumble off the back of the stage, which is at least 10 feet off the ground. I hear people screaming and more shots being fired as I’m falling. When I hit the ground, everything goes silent.
Booker T. Mattison hopes Tory’s story will send a very clear message.
MATTISON: We often think about, hey, how different will my life be if I was rich and if I was famous, but we don’t give as much time to considering the increased scrutiny and responsibility that comes from the riches and the fame.
You can pursue your dreams, but you can do it without selling your soul, and the way to do that is to have certain standards to recognize the importance of character and integrity, and the existence of truth.
“Unsigned Hype” by Booker T. Mattison
Filmmaker and author Booker T. Mattison reads from his novel, “Unsigned Hype,” the tale of 15-year-old Tory Tyson whose dream come true turns into a real life nightmare.
MATTISON: (Reading from book) I’m sure most people my age would kill to be in my position. I have a number one record. I’m the main act at the biggest concert series in New York and I made more money in one summer than most people’s parents make in a whole year. Tory, he’s a classically trained pianist. But Tory, he’s headstrong, he’s gifted, he’s arrogant, and he’s not interested in using his musical talent to play the piano. He’s more interested in using his musical gift to produce hip-hop music, and he is able to fulfill that dream.
But Tory soon discovers that fame costs, and sometimes the price is high.
MATTISON: (Reading from book) He spins me around and handcuffs me. “You’re under arrest.” He reads me my rights as he gives the cuffs an extra tight squeeze. When we get to the police station, they hustle me into an interrogation room. A tough looking agent who could easily pass for a drill sergeant comes in, wearing a scowl instead of military fatigues. “You’re going to do a whole lot of time for this, you know that, right?”
Tory is living his dream, but the glare of the spotlight threatens to take his freedom and his life.
MATTISON: (Reading from book) Before I have time to react, he starts firing. I hold up the record that’s in my hand and fall backward. I stumble from the platform and my legs buckle underneath me. I tumble off the back of the stage, which is at least 10 feet off the ground. I hear people screaming and more shots being fired as I’m falling. When I hit the ground, everything goes silent.
Booker T. Mattison hopes Tory’s story will send a very clear message.
MATTISON: We often think about, hey, how different will my life be if I was rich and if I was famous, but we don’t give as much time to considering the increased scrutiny and responsibility that comes from the riches and the fame.
You can pursue your dreams, but you can do it without selling your soul, and the way to do that is to have certain standards to recognize the importance of character and integrity, and the existence of truth.
Click here to find out how.
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