Stories Rooted in Truth.
From Fayetteville, I write about the lives we’ve lived, the stories we carry, and who we can still become.
Stories from the Ville
I write from Fayetteville, North Carolina, and from the life that shaped me. My stories carry survival, music, fatherhood, and the work of becoming.
Where we begin does not limit where our stories can go.
Step Inside the Story
I wanted to give you another way to step inside this book. The Child Beneath the Market House brings together Fayetteville, music, and the voices of those who came before us. Through Kendrick’s story, I wanted to explore what happens when the past starts asking us to listen.
This preview brings a piece of that world to the screen. It’s an invitation to meet the story, feel its atmosphere, and get curious about what’s waiting in the pages. Whether you’ve already read the book or you’re discovering it for the first time, I hope this gives you another way to connect with it.
—DaQuan
The Child Beneath the Market House — book preview. Turn on sound to hear the story.
In the heart of Fayetteville, North Carolina, a young boy named Kendrick discovers that music can awaken the spirits of his ancestors—and the buried truths of his city’s past. The Child Beneath the Market House blends history, spirituality, and hip-hop soul into a haunting coming-of-age story about legacy, memory, and the cost of awakening what others tried to forget.
“What if the music that saved your life also helped you write your story?”
The Come Up: A Story from the Ville is a raw, lyrical memoir from DaQuan Bethea—father, husband, Fayetteville native, and son of the South. Inspired by the music and message of J. Cole, this deeply personal story follows DaQuan’s journey from struggle to self-discovery, blending vulnerability with cultural insight in a way that speaks to a generation seeking healing.
From the streets of Fayetteville to college hallways, military service, and fatherhood, DaQuan confronts what it means to grow up Black in America—while battling depression, addiction, and generational silence. Through it all, music is his therapy. J. Cole’s lyrics become lifelines, guiding him toward purpose and revealing how the stories we carry can become the stories that change others.
Written with soul, honesty, and spiritual depth, The Come Up isn’t just a memoir—it’s a mirror for anyone searching for meaning in the mess, and strength in the struggle.
This book is for:
Young adults trying to find their voice
Readers healing from trauma or addiction
Fans of J. Cole, hip-hop, and Southern storytelling
Anyone who knows what it feels like to battle silently and rise anyway
A story from the Ville. A letter to the culture. A soundtrack to becoming.
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Why I write
I write the truth—even when it hurts—so others can begin to heal.
Writing gives me a place to have an honest conversation with myself—to reflect on what I’ve lived, understand what I’m feeling, and put words to what I’m still figuring out.
I don’t know everything my future holds, but I carry my passion for God and my pursuit of happiness into it. Through my stories, I hope you find room to reflect on your own life, too.
Have a story to share, a question about the books, or an idea for working together? I’d love to hear from you.