MOGUL

Is the hip-hop community ready for an openly gay producer? Conflicted rap impresario Aaron “Big A.T.” Tremble is about to find out.

In spite of an undeniable attraction to men, young Brooklyn-born wannabe A.T. learns quickly to keep his sexuality under wraps. His first male lover, George, was a basketball teammate who encouraged him to keep up a straight façade in public. But A.T.’s hopes for a more open relationship were dashed when George went away to college. His heart broken, A.T. decides to channel his passion into making music. His big break comes when he meets music legend “Pop” at a party. Unbeknownst to the eager hopeful, Pop is head of the “family,” a powerful group of down-low gay black men working in the music industry. They support each other and collaborate, while keeping their private lives secret. The family can make or break a career, and there is a casting couch. Pop is instantly impressed with A.T.’s drive, among other things. Their physical connection cools quickly, but Pop’s mentoring steers A.T. into phenomenal success. He starts his own “Change Up Records” label and signs rapper Jerome “Tickman” Taylor as his first artist. The two easily fall in love, realizing A.T.’s desire for a deep connection. But he heeds Pop’s advice, and both guys stay in the closet. A.T. also meets Jasmine, a beautiful girl with ambitions to be with a high-profile man. He is attracted to her, and they become a couple, even though his heart belongs to Tickman. Jasmine gets pregnant and moves into his apartment, but A.T. continues to see Tickman, even after his baby girl, Tiffany, is born. Jasmine knows something is up, but suspects her man might have other women on the side. A.T., to his credit, really wants to come clean with her, but he is afraid of losing everything. Eventually, a senseless act of violence and some compromising photos make his decision for him, and he steps bravely into unknown territory. Livened up by its many explicit sex scenes, Dean’s (Hiding in Hip Hop, 2008) fiction debut is filled with clichés and under-written characters, but its gossipy premise will be compelling to some.

Taboo-busting portrait of a hidden world behind the music.