Brooklyn author uses hip-hop in books to inspire young minds

An author from Brooklyn is using the art of hip-hop to write books for young minds.

News 12 Staff

Jul 2, 2019, 12:01 PM

Updated 1,766 days ago

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An author from Brooklyn is using the art of hip-hop to write books for young minds.
McKell Rodney is putting his skills to use, writing a series of books about hip-hop.
The series tells narratives of love, dreams, black history and life lessons.  

His book “Trillions from Slavery Yet You Still Hate Me” was inspired by a dream, becoming one of some 11 books written by Rodney.

Rodney says he started writing in college, penning “Trillions” after he had a dream about Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. He says civil rights leaders inspired his book.

Rodney who is originally from Trinidad came to Brooklyn when he was 12 years old, growing up in Flatbush.
“It was kind of tough getting adjusted, you have to adapt, and all these people made fun of your accent,” says Rodney.

Knowing what it is like to be an outsider, Rodney’s book “Smally Clawly” and the “Crab Connection” have grabbed the attention of students at M.S. 35, where he is an assistant teacher.
“I just want them to know they can do anything, follow their own dreams,” says Rodney.


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