Street Lit
Named for its city settings, this genre often touches on themes of violence, crime, sex, and romance, and it's usually written by and about Black Americans. Street literature is known for its gritty tone, complicated villains and antiheroes, protagonists struggling with moral uncertainty, and depiction of the often difficult realities of life in the city.
New to street lit? Try these favorites:
A Hustler's Wife (2013)
Nikki Turner
A sweet and innocent girl from a well-to-do family falls in love with a notorious drug kingpin who is soon sentenced to life behind bars.
The Cartel 1 (2017)
Ashley & JaQuavis
The port of Miami brings in millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine every year, and the Cartel controls eighty percent of it. The Diamond family is a force to be reckoned with, but all hell breaks loose when they lose their leader.
B-More Careful (2000)
Shannon Holmes
A drug dealer learns that the complicated and dangerous woman he fell in love with was only after his money and decides to seek his revenge.
The Coldest Winter Ever (2005)
Sister Souljah
Winter, the young, wealthy daughter of a prominent Brooklyn drug-dealing family, has her street smarts and seductive skills put to the test of a lifetime when she takes over her father's empire.
Newer titles you may enjoy:
Daugher of a Queen Pin (2022)
Treasure Hernandez
Krystal can be anything in life she desires. Well, at least that’s what her teachers tell her. However, the brutal truth is that Krystal is destined to follow in the family business.
Public Enemy #1 (2022)
Kiki Swinson
Former journalist Khloé figures if she’s going to risk her life, she might as well make big money as a private investigator. But this reckless newbie needs a major case to make her name—and really show she can handle the toughest streets.
The Streets Keep Pulling Me Back (2022)
Brittani Williams
Tank is ready to retire from his life of running the streets and the city -- in matters both legal and illegal -- but his plans are upended when vengeance rears its ugly head.
Lawless (2020)
K'wan
Bernie travels to New Orleans with her new fiance for a relative's funeral and becomes caught in a murder mystery that unearths secrets from her fiance's past.