In this episode of Black Art Is Lit, Nykieria Chaney reads the first chapter of Pastor Mason "Ma$e" Betha explosive memoir, Revelations: There’s a Life After the Lime.

This opening chapter is a rare look inside the mind of one of hip-hop’s most elusive figures—past the shiny suit era, past Bad Boy mythmaking, and straight into the spiritual awakening that changed everything.

Ma$e pulls no punches as he reflects on fame, the Harlem World days, the pressure of the spotlight, and the crossroads that sent him searching for purpose beyond the industry. From Biggie and Diddy to moments of danger, intuition, and divine intervention, this chapter sets the tone for a memoir that blends hip-hop history, personal testimony, and raw honesty.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Why Ma$e walked away at the height of his career

• How spiritual signs and warnings shaped his path

• Early reflections on Biggie, Tupac, Diddy, and the industry machine

• A vulnerable look at identity, calling, and the cost of fame

Whether you’re a lifelong Ma$e fan or discovering this book for the first time, this chapter is a powerful entry into one of the most complicated journeys in hip-hop culture.

In this week’s episode of Black Art is Lit, host Nykieria Chaney reads the powerful first chapter of Black Girls Must Die Exhausted by Jayne Allen, a deeply moving novel exploring the realities of modern Black womanhood.

“Black girls must die exhausted” is something that 33-year-old Tabitha Walker has heard her grandmother say before. Of course, her grandmother (who happens to be white) was referring to the 1950’s and what she observed in the nascent times of civil rights. With a coveted position as a local news reporter, Marc-- a “paper-perfect” boyfriend, and a standing Saturday morning appointment with a reliable hairstylist, Tabitha never imagined how this phrase could apply to her as a black girl in contemporary times – until everything changed.An unexpected doctor’s diagnosis awakens Tabitha to an unperceived culprit, threatening the one thing that has always mattered most - having a family of her own. With the help of her best friends, the irreverent and headstrong Laila and Alexis, the former “Sexy Lexi," Tabitha must explore the reaches of modern medicine and test the limits of her relationships to beat the ticking clock on her dreams of becoming a wife and mother.She must leverage the power of laughter, love, and courageous self-care to bring a healing stronger than she ever imagined - before the phrase “black girls must die exhausted” takes on a new and unwanted meaning in her own life.

Black Girls Must Die Exhausted, Jayne Allen, the 92%, Black literature, infertility podcast, book podcast, Black authors, contemporary Black fiction, strong Black woman, Nykieria Chaney, Black Art is Lit, Black Art is Lit Podcast

Octavia Butler didn’t just write fiction—she wrote the future. And in Parable of the Sower, that future looks a lot like our present. Economic collapse, climate disaster, political instability—it’s all here.

In this episode of Black Art is Lit, host Nykieria Chaney reads the first three chapters of Butler’s groundbreaking novel and breaks down why this book is more relevant than ever. Whether you’re reading it for the first time or revisiting it, this story demands to be heard.

Book Summary:
In 2024, America is unraveling. Climate change has ravaged the land, the government is powerless, and communities live in fear behind walls that can barely protect them. Amidst this chaos, 15-year-old Lauren Olamina possesses a unique gift—hyper-empathy, the ability to feel the pain of others as if it were her own. But as her home becomes increasingly unsafe, she begins to form a new belief system called Earthseed, built on the idea that "God is Change." As she sets out on a dangerous journey north, Lauren must navigate violence, uncertainty, and the possibility of creating something better from the ashes of the old world.

Nykieria Chaney is a playwright, photographer, and literary curator dedicated to amplifying voices that shape culture, history, and storytelling. As the host of Black Art is Lit, she brings powerful works to life, reading the first chapters and diving deep into their impact.

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