The dominant religion of the year 2109 is Verbalism (a.k.a. The Word)-a belief system centered on the lyrical and written wisdom of rappers and countless other scribes throughout the ages who are regarded as prophets. Confused by his inability to grasp the subtleties of this faith, El Adrel travels east across the wasteland of a once great United States to find the "Bible" of his religion, The Hip Hop Manifesto. Guided by mystics, who possess extraordinary mental powers, and his own conscience, El Adrel navigates his way through the clutches of a temptress and the control of a demigod on the road towards self-realization and empowerment. In the end, he must make a choice: will he embrace a new order and choose power and wealth, or will he answer the voice that calls to him and give in to his destiny?