Writing

Barry Michael Cooper

Barry Michael Cooper (June 12, 1958 – January 22, 2025) was an influential American writer, producer, and director, renowned for his impactful screenplays in the realm of urban cinema. His most notable works include the films *New Jack City* (1991), *Sugar Hill* (1994), and *Above the Rim* (1994), collectively referred to as his "Harlem Trilogy."

Cooper's career began in journalism, where he served as a music critic for *The Village Voice* from 1980 to 1989. His groundbreaking article, “Teddy Riley's New Jack Swing: Harlem Gangsters Raise a Genius,” published in 1987, is often credited with coining the term for the fusion of R&B and rap. That same year, his provocative piece, “Kids Killing Kids: New Jack City Eats Its Young,” caught the attention of Quincy Jones, leading to Cooper being hired to rewrite a screenplay about notorious Harlem drug dealer Nicky Barnes, which ultimately became *New Jack City*.

The film marked the start of Cooper's exploration of Harlem's socio-cultural landscape and was followed by *Sugar Hill* and *Above the Rim*, the latter co-written with Jeff Pollack. These films significantly shaped hip-hop culture, influencing artists like Jay-Z and P. Diddy.

In 2005, he made his directorial debut with the web series *Blood on the Wall$* and produced a highly-rated episode of BET's *American Gangster* in 2008. Cooper also shared his insights through a blog, leading to the publication of *Hooked on the American Dream, Vol. 1* in 2011. He passed away in Baltimore, Maryland, leaving behind a legacy that profoundly impacted urban storytelling.

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