This biography highlights the life and accomplishments of Eminem. Readers learn about his early life, inspiration to pursue music, and successes as a hip-hop artist. With striking photographs and thought-provoking sidebars, the book brings to life Eminem's difficult early life, rapid rise to fame, and lasting legacy. Features include a timeline, glossary, online resources, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.
To this day Debbie Nelson is asked why she abandoned her son Marshall as a boy, beat him repeatedly, and then had the audacity to dog him with lawsuits when he became rich and famous. My Son Martial, My Son Eminem is her rebuttal to these widely believed lies-a poignant story of a single mother who wanted the world for her son, only to see herself defamed and shut out when he got it. Debbie Nelson encouraged her talented son to chase success-even when Eminem hijacked her good name in his lyrics and press for "street cred," a movie that ultimately alienated them from each other by the notoriety and bitterness it spawned. In My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem, Debbie Nelson details the real story of Eminem's life from his earliest days in a small town in Missouri and his teenage years in Detroit, to his rise to stardom and very public mom-bashing.
In this “triumphantly funny” (AV Club) memoir, comedian Jensen Karp tells the story of how, as a Jewish kid from the L.A. suburbs, he became a rap battle legend—and then almost became a star. “The funniest person I follow on Twitter finally got smart and wrote about his unlikely—and hilarious—odyssey as teenage rapper Hot Karl.”—Kevin Smith, New York Times bestselling author of Tough Sh*t When twelve-year old Jensen Karp got his first taste of rapping for crowds at his friend’s bar mitzvah in 1991, little did he know that he was taking his first step on a journey that would end with a failed million-dollar recording and publishing deal with Interscope Records when he was only nineteen. Now, in Kanye West Owes Me $300, Karp finally tells the true story of his wild ride as “Hot Karl,” the most famous white rapper you’ve never heard of. On his way to (almost) celebrity, Jensen shares his childhood run-ins with rock-listening, Southern California classmates, who tell him that “rap is for black people,” and then recounts his record-breaking rap battling streak on popular radio contest “The Roll Call”—a run that caught the eye of a music industry hungry for new rap voices in the early ’00s. He also introduces his rap partner, Rickye, who constitutes the second half of their group XTra Large; his supportive mom, who performs with him onstage; and the soon-to-be-household-name artists he records with, including Redman, Fabolous, Mya, and will.i.am. Finally, he reveals why his album never saw the light of day (two words: Slim Shady), the downward spiral he suffered after, and what he found instead of rap glory. Full of rollicking stories from his close brush with fame, Karp’s hilarious memoir is the ultimate fish-out-of-water story about a guy who follows an unlikely passion—trying to crack the rap game—despite what everyone else says. It’s 30 Rock for the rap set; 8 Mile for the suburbs; and quite the journey for a white kid from the valley.
'Angry Blonde' is the book that all Eminem fans have been waiting for, including an introduction by Eminem himself and fifty unpublished photos. The book sheds light on the hugely controversial persona of Eminem, whilst discussing his songs and t
Decoded is a book like no other: a collection of lyrics and their meanings that together tell the story of a culture, an art form, a moment in history, and one of the most provocative and successful artists of our time. Praise for Decoded “Compelling . . . provocative, evocative . . . Part autobiography, part lavishly illustrated commentary on the author’s own work, Decoded gives the reader a harrowing portrait of the rough worlds Jay-Z navigated in his youth, while at the same time deconstructing his lyrics.”—Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times “One of a handful of books that just about any hip hop fan should own.”—The New Yorker “Elegantly designed, incisively written . . . an impressive leap by a man who has never been known for small steps.”—Los Angeles Times “A riveting exploration of Jay-Z’s journey . . . So thoroughly engrossing, it reads like a good piece of cultural journalism.”—The Boston Globe “Shawn Carter’s most honest airing of the experiences he drew on to create the mythic figure of Jay-Z . . . The scenes he recounts along the way are fascinating.”—Entertainment Weekly “Hip-hop’s renaissance man drops a classic. . . . Heartfelt, passionate and slick.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
'My favourite book' Tinchy Stryder BA Business Life Book of the Month The ultimate hustle is to move freely between the street and corporate worlds, to find your flow and never stay locked in the same position. This is a manifesto for how to operate in the twenty-first century, where everything has been turned on its head. Building on the runaway success of Robert Greene's The 48 Laws of Power (almost five million copies sold), the 'modern Machiavelli' teams up with rapper 50 Cent to show how the power game of success can be played to your advantage. Drawing on the lore of gangsters, hustlers, and hip-hop artists, as well as 50 Cent's business and artistic dealings, the authors present the 'Laws of 50', revealing how to become a master strategist and supreme realist. Success comes from seeking an advantage in each and every encounter, and The 50th Law offers indispensable advice on how to win in business - and in life.
This biography highlights the life and accomplishments of Lil Uzi Vert, covering his early life, inspiration to pursue music, and successes. With striking photographs and thought-provoking sidebars, the book discusses Lil Uzi Vert's unconventional music, high-energy performances, and musical collaborations. Features include a timeline, glossary, online resources, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.
A new Graphic Novel from the creative team behind the best-selling Godspeed: The Kurt Cobain Graphic. This is a story about the world's one and only true crossover rap superstar, one that is as profound and profane as the man himself. From Government housing slums in Detroit to the bling-bling penthouses of the Hip-Hop monarchy, Marshall Mathers has had quite a journey. In My Skin documents a life that is angry, vivid and shockingly honest. Using the stories, characters and rantings from his albums, a dramatic, operatic and highly comedic adventure is told. In addition to biographical events, the authors draw on the self-created characters that exist in Eminem's music.
A revealing biography of Kanye West explores the artist—and the man. Kanye West is a star. His music has jumped from sensation to staple in the rap industry, while his personality, his philosophies, and his willingness to speak out for what he believes in regularly place him at the center of controversy. Kanye West: A Biography traces the star's life from his birth through the present day to paint a detailed picture of the artist and the man. Raised by a single mother who was an English professor in Chicago, West admits he came from "the wrong side of the mall" rather than the wrong side of the tracks. His name, his style, and the way he conducts his business are unique. His thoughtful reflections in interviews reveal a complex man few have taken the time to understand. This biography looks at that multifaceted star, exploring his career as singer and producer, but also looking at the forces that prepared him to chase his dreams—and chase off anyone who stood in his way.
Are you the world's biggest Eminem fan? Or do you want to know everything there is to know about the rapper and best-selling artist of the last decade? If so, then this is the book for you! Contained within are 101 amazing facts about everything, from his upbringing as Marshal Mathers III, how he got started in the music industry, his rocky relationship with Kim and much more. The book is easily organised into sections so you can find the information you want fast and is a great addition to any bookshelf.
