Few authors have written a “rap novel,” but author Ricardo Cortez Cruz is one of them.

He’s coming to NIU today to discuss issues that prompted his book, “Straight Outta Compton,” which addresses social and cultural issues that most are afraid to talk about.

Cruz will speak at 7 p.m. today at the Holmes Student Center’s Carl Sandburg Auditorium.

“I’m very eager to come and talk,” Cruz said in a phone interview Wednesday. “It is something I look forward to. When I’m teaching and working on other projects, it is difficult for me to talk to ethnic minority students about the issues that bother them.”

Cruz is an associate professor of English at Illinois State University. “Straight Outta Compton” is written in a rap format that’s different from typical literary pieces and speaks directly to modern contemporary culture while appealing to a young person’s view points.

Cruz’s novels are much different than something typical of an associate English professor.

“He’s very creative in his prose, incorporating his love of music in his writing,” said Suzanne Coffield, director of the writer’s workshop in NIU’s English department. “He’s engaged in multiple communities of students, writers and social activists.”

Cruz won the 1992 Nilon Award for Excellence in Minority Fiction for the novel. He also has written a novel called “Five Days of Bleeding,” and currently is working on another.

“The thing I thought was best was that he could marry contemporary culture with English,” said Lisa King, a counselor for the CHANCE program.

Students at NIU can identify with Cruz because he addresses issues that affect young people and speaks to them in a way that they can understand.

“Sometimes what I have to say is not pretty, but always honest and with integrity,” Cruz said. “I’m definitely not the ‘Cosby Show’ approach to issues. My work tends to be gritty, agitating and uncompromising.”

Students are looking forward to seeing Cruz speak and hearing what he has to say.

“From seeing the flier, I think it would be something of interest because he’s a very unique writer,” said Will Harris, a junior business management major. “Using rap as a way to express knowledge is interesting to me and definitely worth seeing.”

Cruz has published more than 40 articles in journals, magazines and electronic forums. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including the African American Review, the Chicago Tribune and the Washington Post Book World.

The program is sponsored by CHANCE, ACCESS, the Center for Black Studies, University Resources for Latinos, Retention Programs, the English department and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

This show is free and available to students and faculty. For more information, call Ellen Franklin at 753-6628 or Lisa King at 753-1691.