Greetings to all! First and foremost, I fought the whole “blog” alternative kicking and screaming. I was told that people couldn’t find my novel because I decided NOT to put it in bookstores for the time being. Under These Circumstances can only be ordered online or through my P.O. Box at www.DaterBlackwellPublishing.com
So, I’m hearing that my novel has led to many arguments and debates! People saying they don’t believe Jay-Z stole my material, he’s done it before, I should have sued him, yada, yada, yada! I’ve created this page to set the record straight and of course to get your feedback after you’ve read it. As part of my Public Relations for my novel, yes, I sent press releases in the form of letters to hip-hop magazines and journalists. I’ve also posted the release on a couple of sites for your review because maybe some of you are a little more objective than others!
As a journalist myself, I was sorely disappointed at the response from those who I thought had integrity and objectivity, which is a character trait a journalist should always uphold. After the Dehavens and Calvin Kleins of this world came out with their own stories I could almost understand a few journalists thinking that this is another person “crying wolf”. Truth be told, I believed Calvin as soon as I heard about it because the same thing happened to me in 2003. I really believe the only way a person could understand the shock is if you were in their shoes! For example, imagine yourself living your life or doing certain things that only you know and all of a sudden you hear it blaring through your speakers. Trust me when I tell you, it is a surreal experience!
In closing, to the journalists and media organizations in the hip-hop industry that I had great respect for and didn’t take me seriously, I understand. Why bite the hand that feeds you? To the journalist who stood toe to toe with one of the “Powers That Be” (unnamed hip-hop magazine), contacted me, and basically said I’d been “blackballed”, all is well. Just remember that everything done in the dark eventually comes to light as you read for yourself. Yes, I’ve said it all along. He got me!
There was no need to apologize on behalf of your employer. You may have said, “It’s a man’s world!” but on the same note as the Godfather of Soul also said, “I don’t need nobody to give me nothing…open the door and I’ll get it myself!” Just know, today the door is being kicked down! To all those who dare enter and read Under These Circumstances, peace and blessings. I hope you enjoy my novel! Trust me when I say, you’re going to look at your favorite rapper in a whole new light.
P.S. And for all the prospective haters (stans) that I’m sure will defend him, I will totally understand your pain. As a child, I was devastated when I found out the TOOTH FAIRY was really my mom!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Press Release
I just wanted to give you the scoop that I have been waiting to reveal since 2003. Being that your establishment is the voice of hip-hop, it would be unjust if I didn’t contact you. My name is Dater Blackwell and I am a journalist and author in North Carolina. When I completed my first novel, I sent copies to several hip-hop companies. I did this because I knew that my content was too raw to send to a regular publishing house and they wouldn’t understand it. This was also during the time when rappers were involved in the Hip-Hop Action Summit about the drug laws.
In May of 2003, I sent it to Roc-A-Fella Records and never received a response. However, I did hear some of my content on the Black Album in October/November 2003! I’ve told people this for several years and to be quite frank, some people didn’t believe me. Then they saw the dates on my work and listened to his lyrics that came out six months after he received my novel.
When they say truth is stranger than fiction, people are going to be shocked by what Jay-Z did with my novel. I sent him and his partners at the time, Damon Dash and Kareem Burke, copies also. So, they also know that it’s true if they read it as well.
My novel is based on the mandatory minimum drug laws and three college students that get sucked into it by one of their Dominican boyfriends and his friends. Needless to say, Jay-Z has portrayed himself as the characters and recited several of their words in my novel. I hope that you will take me seriously and as you read my novel, notice anything remotely similar to The Black Album. American Gangster was not his first concept album. My novel, Under These Circumstances, was. He is reciting lines from most of the villains in my book and has even said things in public interviews, exactly like the characters in my book. (This can be proven with the date on my CDs as well and the dates he said these things in interviews with several magazines years later.)
When he said allow me to re-introduce myself that came from Raul Santana in the last chapter, page 522. You would have to read the whole novel to understand how cut-throat this character is. I came, I saw, I conquered, came from Robyn’s character, page 235. I just rolled the dice trying to get some change came from Boo Boo’s character, page 509. The concept of 99 Problems is taken from pages 68-76.
These are just a few things. He said it best: Men lie, women lie, but numbers don’t. This includes dates. Trust me when I tell you, it’s going to blow everyone away, including Jay-Z. I’m sure he thinks that I’ve forgotten, or perhaps I should have been flattered that he used my novel (I wasn’t). In my book, I used certain song lyrics or hooks from a few songs and Jay-Z saw how I wrote it and ran with it! I know I did not base my characters on him! Please contact him for verification. When I sent it to him, it was titled Circumstance Made Me What I Am. I decided to change the title to shorten it. Once he recognizes my name, he’ll know the jig is up! If he says anything other than the truth, you will really later see and READ it for yourself.
One last thing, this year several of my friends told me that he ordered thousands of dollars worth of white orchids for his wedding. Please read page 57 and you will see more of them throughout the novel. White orchids have significance in my novel. Read it with a high lighter in hand! There was also an incident in London when he tried to make a pass at two young models. It is currently on Rhymeswithsnitch.com. At any rate, he told them both that he would like to get to know them better. Please read page 51! He is still out there using these lines!
I honestly didn’t publish my book to bash or hate on Jay-Z. I know people often confuse truth with hate. I’m only coming to you all to set the record straight. I wrote and published my novel to bring awareness to the mandatory minimum drug laws. My book is raw and very relevant. I’ve received great reviews and it definitely caught the attention of Jay-Z. I was inspired to write it from my own personal tragedies with friends and family members. I had no clue Jay-Z would use my book for his Black Album.
Sincerely,
Dater Blackwell
In May of 2003, I sent it to Roc-A-Fella Records and never received a response. However, I did hear some of my content on the Black Album in October/November 2003! I’ve told people this for several years and to be quite frank, some people didn’t believe me. Then they saw the dates on my work and listened to his lyrics that came out six months after he received my novel.
When they say truth is stranger than fiction, people are going to be shocked by what Jay-Z did with my novel. I sent him and his partners at the time, Damon Dash and Kareem Burke, copies also. So, they also know that it’s true if they read it as well.
My novel is based on the mandatory minimum drug laws and three college students that get sucked into it by one of their Dominican boyfriends and his friends. Needless to say, Jay-Z has portrayed himself as the characters and recited several of their words in my novel. I hope that you will take me seriously and as you read my novel, notice anything remotely similar to The Black Album. American Gangster was not his first concept album. My novel, Under These Circumstances, was. He is reciting lines from most of the villains in my book and has even said things in public interviews, exactly like the characters in my book. (This can be proven with the date on my CDs as well and the dates he said these things in interviews with several magazines years later.)
When he said allow me to re-introduce myself that came from Raul Santana in the last chapter, page 522. You would have to read the whole novel to understand how cut-throat this character is. I came, I saw, I conquered, came from Robyn’s character, page 235. I just rolled the dice trying to get some change came from Boo Boo’s character, page 509. The concept of 99 Problems is taken from pages 68-76.
These are just a few things. He said it best: Men lie, women lie, but numbers don’t. This includes dates. Trust me when I tell you, it’s going to blow everyone away, including Jay-Z. I’m sure he thinks that I’ve forgotten, or perhaps I should have been flattered that he used my novel (I wasn’t). In my book, I used certain song lyrics or hooks from a few songs and Jay-Z saw how I wrote it and ran with it! I know I did not base my characters on him! Please contact him for verification. When I sent it to him, it was titled Circumstance Made Me What I Am. I decided to change the title to shorten it. Once he recognizes my name, he’ll know the jig is up! If he says anything other than the truth, you will really later see and READ it for yourself.
One last thing, this year several of my friends told me that he ordered thousands of dollars worth of white orchids for his wedding. Please read page 57 and you will see more of them throughout the novel. White orchids have significance in my novel. Read it with a high lighter in hand! There was also an incident in London when he tried to make a pass at two young models. It is currently on Rhymeswithsnitch.com. At any rate, he told them both that he would like to get to know them better. Please read page 51! He is still out there using these lines!
I honestly didn’t publish my book to bash or hate on Jay-Z. I know people often confuse truth with hate. I’m only coming to you all to set the record straight. I wrote and published my novel to bring awareness to the mandatory minimum drug laws. My book is raw and very relevant. I’ve received great reviews and it definitely caught the attention of Jay-Z. I was inspired to write it from my own personal tragedies with friends and family members. I had no clue Jay-Z would use my book for his Black Album.
Sincerely,
Dater Blackwell
Book Summary
Worlds collide when two-strong willed women have a chance meeting during pivotal points in their lives. But…is it chance or fate? Janie Fitzgerald-Kirkpatrick, a corporate attorney, is determined to make partner at her law firm by any means necessary even if it’s at the expense of her husband and their future family. She meets Simone Sanders, a college student, whose mantra since arriving at N. C. A & T is, “I’m grown”. This will soon change once her suave Dominican lover she innocently meets on her birthday has her backed against a wall. Fidel Sanchez becomes the man of her dreams until he leads her to a never-ending nightmare. Simone’s roommates Kenya Kiplagat, her best friend and Robyn Thomas, her notorious nemesis become entangled in her romance that leads to shopping sprees, Jacuzzis, jail cells, morgues and unfulfilled dreams. The one thing that links Janie and Simone will prove to be lifesaving as they go on a journey neither would have ever imagined. The question is who will survive it? From the tree-lined streets of Greensboro, North Carolina to the mean streets of Miami, Florida, and the sandy beaches of the Caribbean via yachts and planes, Dater Blackwell methodically takes readers on a ride that will change their perception of chance encounters and the purpose behind it all.
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