The Timeless Power of Black Coming-of-Age Stories

This is part two in a SNOBHOP series inspired by the new Netflix series Forever. We started it a few weeks ago, and continue throughout June. Let’s get it!

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A few weeks ago, Mara Brock Akil blessed the culture with a new series named "Forever," based on the novel of the same name by Judy Blume.

After finishing it, I began to think about the importance of coming-of-age stories, especially in Black Culture.

Coming-of-age stories are told in both music and film, and I think we love them because they offer a level of versatility and character-building that you typically don’t see in other mediums of expression.

In the TV & film stories, the stakes feel higher, and the uncertainty the characters face is both nostalgic and gut-wrenching because you know how most of their stories end; after all, with age comes wisdom… and regret.

Moreover, the same can be said about many rappers' albums, which also explore a lot of the same themes. More to the point, many Black film executives and producers often start their careers with somewhat autobiographical coming-of-age tales.

So, with Juneteenth just passing, this feels like a good week to revisit some of the best (and underappreciated) coming-of-age stories in Black culture.

Let’s talk about it.

THE FILMS

I. CROOKLYN

This was one of Spike Lee’s dopest films from his early '90s run; it’s the epitome of a coming-of-age tale.

The story of Crooklyn follows the Carmichael family — a Harlem crew comprised of actors Delroy Lindo, Alfre Woodard, and their children.

However, the actual focal point of the movie is Troy, the lone girl in the family, who is navigating childhood without a crucial person in her corner: her mom.

From living with a father whose unrealized dreams informed much of the family’s hardships to Troy having to step into the void left by her mother at a young age, Crooklyn is a masterpiece.

It’s equal parts tragic and brilliant — seeing it with fresh eyes as an adult, I can appreciate it in a different way. The music is top-notch, too.

I highly recommend it if you’ve never seen this gem from Spike Lee.

II. BOYZ N DA HOOD

You could write a dissertation on Boyz N Da Hood. Part of what makes it an interesting story is that it tells the story of Black manhood from multiple perspectives.

On one hand, you had Furious Stylez, who was deeply committed to the Black community. And though he wasn’t married to Trey’s mom, he was insistent on being a present force in his son’s life, knowing what it took to make it to adulthood.

Then there’s Trey, who was right on the cusp of adulthood.

Trey was the only one in his friend group living in a relatively stable household. In contrast, his best friend, Doughboy, was despised by his mother because of the disdain she had for his father, and his brother Ricky was the golden child; ironic because, without Doughboy’s protection, Ricky would’ve likely met a harsh fate sooner rather than later.

By the end, you see that Doughboy essentially lives in despair, while Trey’s hand in life assures him of success; the only thing that could stand in the way is himself.

(Imagine what would’ve happened if Trey never got out of the car)

The 2000s…

Gave us another solid (under-appreciated) group of coming-of-age tales. Two in particular that deserve to be highlighted actually come from the same person: Dallas Austin.

For those who don’t know about Dallas Austin, he’s a music producer responsible for many of TLC’s hits like “Creep” and “Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg.”

Outside of music, he gave us two key coming-of-age tales that were essentially based on his own life: Drumline & ATL.

I. Drumline

In the same way that A Different World inspired a generation to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), Drumline had a similar effect on Black culture.

Drumline is the story of a gifted drummer named Devon Miles (Nick Cannon) as he transitions from high school to attending North Carolina A&T on a music scholarship.

Initially, things are great.

Devon joined the band and became the man on the line, and started to get an authentic taste of the college experience.

But the only issue is that he can’t read music — a requirement of all music majors/scholarship recipients, and a secret he fiercely guarded, lest he lose his scholarship.

Drumline showcased the maturation process that Devon had to undergo, and in the process, it exposed a generation of youth to the world of band culture.

Instant Classic.

II. ATL

This movie was significant because it forever stamped the city, especially for those who weren’t from here.

ATL is a glimpse into old Atlanta, and many of the nuances that come with being from here. It also outlined the various pitfalls that Black youth can fall into right on the cusp of adulthood, like getting into the drug game, and it featured a lot of Atlanta greats.

But that’s not all.

If you weren’t outside in 2006, you don’t understand how big this movie was.

T.I., the star of the movie, had just dropped “What You Know,” which was dominating radio. His 4th studio album, “King,” dropped the same day as ATL, and when that combination hit the streets, it was the only thing anyone talked about for weeks. That summer belonged to T.I., and ATL became Atlanta lore.

Fans still clamor for ATL 2 (which is allegedly in the works).

THE ALBUMS

I think there are a few projects that don’t necessarily get mentioned as coming-of-age tales, but they still fit the bill.

Ironically, the Blog Era, which gave rise to some of today’s biggest stars, also includes projects that can be considered coming-of-age tales.

Here are just a few, in my humble opinion, that are in that category:

I. CHANCE THE RAPPER - ACID RAP

This tape emerged at the height of the Blog Era, and many Gen Zers say that Acid Rap helped them make sense of their early adult years. To date, this is one of Chance’s best projects, and it gives a glimpse into the mind of the rapper as he navigates adulthood as well.

Songs like Acid Rain see him wrestling with life’s questions in the same way that many of us did at that age (and still do).

II. J. COLE - FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

While Forest Hill Drive is often mentioned in conversations as a coming-of-age album, I think Friday Night Lights closely fits into that category.

Its younger brother, Forest Hills Drive, chronicles Cole’s upbringing in North Carolina from childhood to the present day, but Friday Night Lights was the album that guided many of his fans through their college years.

There’s an energy around Friday Night Lights that, when paired with the subject matter, makes it a coming-of-age album specifically for the fans.

III. Joey Bada$$ - 1999

Another favorite from The Blog Era — this album launched Joey into the mainstream, but it also plays like a 2010s version of Illmatic, offering a glimpse into what life is like on the streets of New York City.

Beyond these highlights, here are a few more honorable mentions:

1. Vince Staples - Summertime 06

2. Kendrick Lamar - GKMC

3. Tyler, The Creator - Wolf

4. Wiz Khalifa- Kush & OJ

EPILOGUE

The coming-of-age format is something that I think makes Black art really special, especially when you consider some of the other staples in TV & film that we didn’t really get to discuss today.

That said, if you haven’t seen the newest addition to this category, “Forever,” or even a few earlier on the list, like Crooklyn or ATL, they’re worth checking out.

Trust me, you won’t regret it.

One.