Nick Brooks’ “Up in Smoke” masterfully bridges the worlds of words and music, sparking fresh conversations in Black storytelling.
Nick Brooks, the award-winning author, filmmaker, and musician, is once again redefining the boundaries of storytelling with his groundbreaking dual release — a novel and a hip-hop album, both titled Up In Smoke, released on May 6, 2025. Already known for his genre-blending creativity and deeply rooted narratives, Brooks is setting the stage for a cultural moment that fuses murder mystery with the rhythms of hip-hop — a feat rarely, if ever, attempted in modern media.
Born and raised in Washington D.C. during the height of the crack epidemic in the 1980s and ’90s, Brooks had every reason to become another statistic. But guided by the spiritual foundation instilled by his grandfather, a pastor who believed in education and purpose, and the fierce spirit of his mother, Nick found direction. “Spirituality, faith, and education — that’s what helped me navigate through D.C. in those times,” Brooks shares.
Entertainment was always on his heart. As a child, he would sit in front of the TV with his parents, captivated by rappers, movies, and characters that lit his imagination on fire. “I was a true storyteller with personality,” he says. At age 15, he started rapping — and never looked back. Today, he performs under the stage name Ben Kenobe, a nod to his middle name Benjamin and his deep love for Star Wars. “I always understood the forces,” he says. “It hit me in a different way.”
His latest project Up In Smoke is much more than a book or an album — it’s a revolutionary storytelling experience. The novel, a gripping murder mystery set in D.C., follows two boys attempting to solve a murder that occurred during a Black Lives Matter protest. “It’s got a lot of twists and turns. It’s a fun, engaging read,” Brooks explains.
A former educator who worked closely with at-risk youth, Nick crafts his stories with reluctant readers in mind — especially young Black and brown boys. “I get calls all the time from parents saying their kids are reading my books. That warms my heart,” he says. With Up In Smoke, Brooks is doubling down on his mission by connecting with youth through both the page and the speaker.
The Up In Smoke album, also released on May 6, mirrors the narrative of the book but from a third-person perspective — and it contains actual clues to solving the mystery. Together, the book and album form a companion experience. “It’s never been done like this,” Brooks says. “Merging the ‘who done it’ genre with hip-hop — this is for the culture. This is how we get more kids to read.”
The music isn’t just a gimmick either. As Ben Kenobe, Nick has already composed tracks for major films like They Cloned Tyrone (Netflix) and The Cypher (HBO). His sound is cinematic, layered, and driven by his mission to elevate the storytelling experience.
But Nick’s impact doesn’t stop there. His debut novel Promise Boys gained critical acclaim and led to a major deal of him selling the TV show of the same name to Netflix in 2023. He is Co-Executive Producing alongside Barack and Michelle Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions. He’s also in development for his first feature film, bringing his creative journey full circle from his first film Hoop Dreamin, which earned him the George Lucas Scholar Award and a finalist spot in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in Film.
When asked what his greatest challenge has been, Brooks responds with quiet wisdom: “Patience. Having patience and just knowing that it’s going to work out.” And his greatest accomplishment? Without hesitation: “Up In Smoke. I’m proud of the novel and the album. It was a great idea, and I’m proud of the work I put in.”
But perhaps his most powerful words come when reflecting on his legacy:
“That I was a revolutionary. That I changed the trajectory of my family and also people who looked like me. Black people.”With Up In Smoke, Nick Brooks isn’t just telling a story — he’s starting a movement.
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