Nelson George Knihy

The book provides an unflinching look at the 1980s, highlighting the struggles of crack, AIDS, and the setbacks faced by the civil rights movement during the Reagan era. It also celebrates the achievements of black performers, athletes, and activists who broke into mainstream culture. Through a chronological retrospective, it profiles influential figures like Bill Cosby and Louis Farrakhan, while examining significant events such as the release of the first rap single and the controversial Willie Horton ad campaign.

Exploring the cultural impact of a groundbreaking variety show, this book highlights how it showcased the vibrant musical landscape of young African Americans, featuring genres like R&B, funk, and disco. Created by Don Cornelius, the show brought together a diverse array of iconic artists, including James Brown, Gladys Knight, and Elton John, reflecting the evolving tastes and styles of its audience. The narrative captures the significance of the show in shaping music and fashion while celebrating its role in the cultural dialogue of the era.

Celebrated for its authenticity, this book captures the essence of urban life with a compelling narrative that resonates deeply with readers. It combines the impactful storytelling found in The Autobiography of Malcolm X and the emotional depth of The Color Purple, making it a powerful exploration of personal and social themes. With a concise format akin to Tuesdays with Morrie, it offers an engaging and heartfelt reading experience that is deemed essential by notable figures like Chris Rock.

The narrative explores the evolution of black music over the past fifty years, highlighting its significance and challenges within white American society. It details the journey from "race music" to the mainstream dominance of R&B, examining how cultural shifts led to the dilution of its original essence through crossover influences. Nelson George's passionate storytelling provides a critical perspective on the intersection of race and music, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for authenticity and recognition in a changing musical landscape.

Ex-bodyguard D Hunter is swept into the City of Angels on a dark mission to find his mysterious grandfather's killer.

This is the story of Tamla Mowtown Records, the Detroit hit factory that set the world dancing in the '60s. It presents the stories behind the rise of such all-time great acts as Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, The Temptations and the Jackson 5. schovat popis

Exploring the transformative impact of black youth culture on mass media, this book provides an in-depth analysis of hip hop's evolution and influence. Through the lens of a seasoned producer and writer, it chronicles the genre's rise and its role in shaping societal narratives. The narrative delves into the intersections of music, identity, and media, offering a comprehensive perspective on hip hop's cultural significance and its lasting legacy in America.

"Former bodyguard D Hunter has moved to Los Angeles to become a talent manager. Business is good: he has signed a hot Atlanta rapper named Lil Daye for management and negotiated a lucrative endorsement with a liquor band. However, when D learns of the liquor CEO's unsavory sexual habits and reactionary political views, he worries that he has sold his soul. Back in Brooklyn, a body has been found in the waters near the Canarsie Pier, a body that connects D and the retired hit man Ice to incidents from back in The Plot Against Hip Hop, the second book in the series. Because of this discovery, an FBI agent wants to speak to D, which is making Ice nervous. And Ice is not a man you want worrying about you. Meanwhile in London, Serene Powers, a vigilante and sometime collaborator with D, breaks up a human trafficking ring. In the process, she makes some new, unlikely allies. When Serene returns to the US, D asks her for assistance with a sensitive and volatile matter in Atlanta involving Lil Daye, his wife, his mistress, and a thug on his payroll named Ant. The Darkest Hearts reflects the challenges of being a black businessperson in an era when the rules of entrepreneurship are constantly shifting beneath an increasingly polarized political environment." -- from goodreads.com

Thriller takes us back to a time in 1982 when Michael Jackson was king of the charts, breaking the color barrier on MTV, heralding the age of video, and becoming the ultimate representation of the crossover dreams of Motown's Berry Gordy, who helped launch Jackson's career with the Jackson 5. In this incisive and revealing examination of the making and meaning of Thriller , Nelson George illuminates the brilliant creative process (and work ethic) of Jackson and producer Quincy Jones, deftly exploring the larger context of the music, life, and seismic impact of Michael Jackson on three generations. All this from a groundbreaking journalist and cultural critic who was there. George questions whether the phenomenon Jackson became is even possible today. He revisits his early writings on the King of Pop and examines not only the stunning success of Thriller but also Jackson as an artist, public figure, and racial enigma—including the details surrounding his death on June 25, 2009.

A leading critic of black popular culture and the acclaimed author of The Death of Rhythm and Blues and Buppies, B-Boys, Baps and Bohos follows up his successful first novel, Urban Romance, with this funny and passionate portrait of a young man's coming of age in the fast lane of the music industry.