Literally Leander discussion

The book for November 2020 was On the Come Up by Angie Thomas. There will be spoilers in this thread, so consider yourself warned!

This month, our discussion prompts were adapted from an Epic Reads discussion guide. As always, don't feel pressured to use these. Any bit of discussion, whether it be your thoughts, opinions, or any questions of your own, are welcome!

1. “Nothing’s been the same for me since Nas told me the world was mine . . . It was like waking up after being asleep my whole life." How does hip-hop make Brianna feel powerful? What makes you feel powerful?

2. Why does Bri feel like her dreams could rescue her and her family? What are your dreams? Have you ever felt like a dream could save you?

3. Reputation is important in hip-hop. How do Milez’s and Bri’s reputations in the hip-hop community differ? How do their reputations change over the course of the novel? How are they both shaped by things they can’t control (i.e., gender, race, sexuality, economics, neighborhood)?

4. Curtis says, “Yeah, people leave us. But it doesn’t mean we alone." Who are Bri’s people? How have they all suffered under the weight of capitalism, racism, and violence? How have they survived and held one another up?

5. How does Bri define “the come up” throughout the novel? Does Bri get her come up at the end of the novel?

3. Reputation is important in hip-hop. How do Milez’s and Bri’s reputations in the hip-hop community differ? How do their reputations change over the course of the novel? How are they both shaped by things they can’t control (i.e., gender, race, sexuality, economics, etc.)
Bri discussed how she felt like other people had more control over her own life than she did. It was interesting that Miles, a wealthy teenager who lived in the suburbs, similarly felt powerless because of the reputation his father, Supreme, created for him. "'[Dad] does make me pretend to be straight,' Miles says. 'Milez with a z is supposed to be the teen heartthrob all the girls love, and one of Dad’s next cash cows.'" Even though Miles' sexuality does not directly impact his reputation as rapper Milez, it had a large influence on his life and led him to give up his career as Milez the rapper.

5. How does Bri define “the come up” throughout the novel? Does Bri get her come up at the end of the novel?
At the beginning of the novel, Bri defines "the come up" as being financially successful as a rapper and moving out of the Garden. However, she changed her definition of "the come up" when she learned that being financially successful as a rapper often meant not being true to herself and she was fine being associated with the Garden. I think Bri does get her come up at the end of the novel. She finds fame as a rapper while being true to herself. Bri also has a chance to get her come up, as she originally defines the phrase, by collaborating with a famous rapper. She thinks that the collaboration "is major. It could be the shot I need."

Here is my question: What role does music play in On the Come Up and in young adult novels generally?