| YEAR END REVIEW 2008 |
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By David A. Mitchell
As we wrap up 2008 and head into the New Year, or as I like to call it, the Obama era, let's take a look back at what made '08, well, memorable. |
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| Top Ten Industry News Stories of 2008 |
Barack Obama |
(January) It seems like a life-time ago, but remember primary season for the Presidential campaign had gotten into full swing. On the Democratic side, history was being made by a woman, Hillary Clinton, and an African American man, Barack Obama—both battling feverishly for the top post. Of course Black Entertainment Television got in on the action with a series of compelling interviews titled, "What's In It For Us: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and the Black Vote?" The music industry would go on to be a strong supporter for Obama's candidacy—with artists like Will I Am and John Legend, among others recording tributes; labels like Hidden Beach producing compilation albums, and artists such as Stevie Wonder and Jennifer Hudson performing during campaign rallies and conventions. |
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(February/March) It's our Anniversary: The Grammy organization hosted its 50th Annual Grammy Awards show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Of course it was a star-studded event showcasing a line-up of talent that consisted of current chart-toppers and seasoned vets. In my mind, the evening's highlight was the electrifying pairing of Beyoncé and Tina Turner singing the classic "Proud Mary." Of course I need to be a bit self-serving and state that 2008 was also the 20th Anniversary of Urban Network. During our Conference we capped off the event with keynote speeches from superstar producer Jimmy Jam, Starbucks Entertainment President Kenneth Lombard, and classic performances by Rahsaan Patterson and Mint Condition. |
Eliot Spitzer |
(March) In a story that has sent shockwaves throughout the world of politics, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer (known as "Mr. Clean") was accused of 'engaging' with a high-priced call girl. Spitzer's downfall reeked of hypocrisy because he was known for his ethical reform approaches. Spitzer went to great lengths to try and change the way radio stations and record companies did business. In the spring of 2006 and after two years of investigations, Spitzer, through a series of costly financial settlements, forced all of the major label music groups (supposedly under New York jurisdiction) to retool how they do business with radio stations nationwide. |
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(April) Talk about your paradigm shift. During the Spring, it was announced that Barry Weiss had assumed the position of Chairman and CEO of the BMG Label Group, and Clive Davis would reduce his role within the company assuming the newly-created post of Chief Creative Officer, SonyBMG Worldwide. |
Jay-Z & Beyoncé |
(April) After years of speculation that they were even together, Pop/R&B princess Beyoncé, and Hip-Hop mogul Jay-Z had secretly gotten married at the groom's Tribeca apartment. Celebrity marriages are always of curiosity to the media and paparazzi; for one it's the pairing of a financial partnership. Who's worth more? Is there a pre-nup in place? Secondly, for those tabloids and gossip blogs, you get two for the price of one. Third, and this is the downside, pundits and celebrity watchers are interested in how long the marriage will last. Hopefully, for B & Jay it will be until death do us part. |
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(June) The BET Awards continues to be the catalyst that brings together top African American recording artists in a number of genres. Artists such as Chris Brown and Kanye West took home trophies, while veterans like Al Green and Quincy Jones were honored respectively for their lifetime and humanitarian achievements. It should be noted that the Soul Train Awards discontinued its annual televised event—even seeing its creator and original host Don Cornelius arrested later in the year for Domestic Abuse charges. |
R. Kelly |
(June) A Cook County jury acquitted R&B superstar R. Kelly of child pornography charges on June 13, culminating years of media coverage, lots of speculation, a highly-circulated sex tape and a high-profile trial rich in courtroom drama and celebrity intrigue. The jury of nine men and three women deliberated for 7 hours before finding Kelly not guilty on all 14 counts. |
Lil Wayne |
(June) Rapper Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III sold 423,000 copies in its first day of release, citing figures from Nielsen SoundScan. He owned the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Hot 100 pop chart for several weeks with his song "Lollipop," and scored another Top Ten hit with "A Milli." Tha Carter III would go on to be the biggest selling album of 2008, and land Wayne a stellar eight Grammy nominations by year's end. |
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(September) MySpace, the world's premier social network with the blessing of all of the major music groups, unveiled its new 'MySpace Music' platform injecting the world's richest online music community with a host of new features for both users and artists. |
Shakir Stewart
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Jheryl Busby
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(November) The Passings of Shakir Stewart and Jheryl Busby: Both of their untimely deaths took place within the same November week and sent shockwaves around the industry. Sharkir died by apparent suicide and was Executive VP of Def Jam Records, having taken over the job left vacant by Jay-Z earlier in the year. He had accomplished much in his short 34 years, signing artists such as Young Jeezy to the label, and one-time running HITCO, his mentor and friend L.A. Reid's music publishing company. Shakir can still be seen on the BET reality show grooming his young protégés Brutha. Mr. Busby was 59 and had been sick for quite some time. He worked at numerous labels over the years, including tenures as President of MCA and Motown Records. He also oversaw the Black Music Division for Dreamworks for a while, and was a principal in One United Bank in Los Angeles. Simply, they will both be missed! |
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| Top Ten Picks - The Best of 2008 |
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Raphael Saadiq "The Way I See It" - The first time I heard this album I simply fell in love with it. Raphael picked a theme, 60s music, and perfectly locked himself within the best that particular decade had to musically offer. It's sheer perfection, especially the cut, "Never Give You Up," featuring one of the hottest upcoming talents, C.J. and Stevie Wonder on the harmonica. |
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Donna Summer "Crayons" – I was in love with this woman while growing up, and all of her disco bliss. This was a fine comeback album for the 60 year-old pop diva, with lots of great dance/pop tunes and a delicious mid-tempo, titled, "Drving Down Brazil." |
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John Legend "Evolver" – "Green Light" may be John's biggest hit yet, especially since so many people consider him primarily to be a balladeer—that's not a bad thing, after taking one listen to "Good Morning," one of the best songs I've heard this year. |
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Amy Winehouse "Frank" – This is actually Amy's debut album, but it was officially released in the U.S. this year. If you are a fan of this controversial personality, I suggest you get a copy of this CD; listening to the infectious "In My Bed" and the classic "Moody's Mood for Love" are reason alone. |
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Janet Jackson "Discipline" – "Feedback," "Luv" "Rock Wit You" and "Can't Be Good," what happened? This is the best and most cohesive Janet since All For You. I loved the songs, the videos—this should've been a major event album with the sales to reflect. |
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Solange Knowles "Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams" – When I first heard Solange was releasing an album, I thought it would be in the vein of Ciara or Ashanti, but this girl grew up and presented us with one of the most adventurous soul-psychedelic projects to hit the charts in sometime. |
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Lil Wayne "Tha Carter III" – My Lil Wayne experiences were always about the singles and his guest features, but Tha Carter III is a classic hip-hop album, ranking with the best of 'em. Radio got it right, going with my faves "Got Money" and "Mrs. Officer." |
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Jazmine Sullivan "Fearless" - Arguably the best new voice to come out of 2008, Sullivan is a career artist. I'm a big fan of "Need You Bad," and "Lions Tigers & Bears." Something about the "Bust Your Windows" theme doesn't make me feel too comfortable about parking my car out on the open street. |
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Sergio Mendes "Encanto" – The elder statesman Mendes continues to exercise his formula of collaborating with younger stars delivering some of the most engaging mixes of Brazilian and American contemporary music. Stars include Will I Am, Fergie, Ledisi, and Natalie Cole. |
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BeyoncÉ "I Am...Sasha Fierce" – I still have yet to receive a copy of this album (hint, hint!). But I attended the listening party hosted by Matthew Knowles where he played each and every track, told us the story behind each song, and I took notes. In a nutshell, I get it. Two album set; the first being an introspective collection of left of center pop tunes (a la Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera), the second being B-Day, the sequel; chock full of future hits!! |
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| Top Ten Favorite Singles |
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"You're The Only One " - Eric Benét
"The Way That I Love You" – Ashanti
"Mrs. Officer" - Lil Wayne
"Four Seconds" – Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Timberland
"Nothing Left To Say" - Mint Condition
"Nobody" – Ne-Yo
"Dance Like There's No Tomorrow"- Paula Abdul
"Here I Stand" – Usher
"No Air" – Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown
"One Love" - Noel Gourdin |
[In Memoriam]
Bernie Mac – Comedian, Actor
Bo Diddley – Rock & Roll Pioneer
Bob Jones – Record Executive, Public Relations
Buddy Miles – Vocalist, Musician, Drummer
David McCoy – Entertainment Attorney, Political Consultant
Dee Dee Warwick – R&B/Pop Singer
DJ K-Swift – Baltimore Air-Personality
Dr. George Butler – Jazz Producer, A&R Exec
Isaac Hayes – Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Actor
Jerry Wexler – Producer (Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin)
Jheryl Busby – Record Executive, Motown, MCA, DreamWorks
Johnny J – Producer, Songwriter (Tupac)
Levi Stubbs – Lead Singer of the Four Tops
MC Breed – Rap Recording Artist
Norman Whitfield – Motown Songwriter-Producer
Odetta – Folk Singer, Civil Rights Icon
Pat Tobin – PR, Media Relations Specialist
Pervis Jackson – Singer, Member of the Spinners
Pimp C – Rap Recording Artist, Member UGK
Ragan Henry – Radio Owner, Broadcaster
Sami McKinney – Songwriter-Producer
Sean Levert – R&B Recording Artist
Shakir Stewart – Record Executive, Def Jam |
| YEAR END REVIEW 2008 |
Best Albums of 2008
by A. Scott Galloway - Music Editor - Urban Network |
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Nicki Richards
Nicki
(self-released)
I haven't even reviewed this album yet, but you'll be reading more about it in months to come. In short, Nicki has built herself quite a reputation as a behind the scenes vocal pro post the release of her outstanding 1991 Atlantic Records debut, Naked (To The World). She is currently touring the world with Madonna as a backup singer (and making boo-ya bank)! More important, she called up the confidence and spirit to finally make a follow-up to Naked that she calls Nicki – self releasing it for now via CD Baby and DigStation. As someone who has been anxiously instigating Nicki's return, I am often at a loss to express how amazing this album is - whether I have my subjective fan's cap on or my cold hard critics brim on. This is a thoroughly inspired album in which Nicki has harnessed all of the vast influences she's gleaned from R&B, Jazz, Pop, Rock and Gospel, then channeled them into a program that moves from spiritual to soul-baring to sensual to shock-a-lock-a boogie down with effortless ease. And because she can call masters like Lenny White, Marcus Miller, the Tower of Power Horns, Victor Bailey and Joe Sample among her friends, PLUS tap the natural vocal resources of her mother, grandmother and brother, Nicki's album literally vibrates with top-flight musicality. However, it's truly all about Nicki - the singer, the songwriter, the arranger, the producer and the emboldened visionary who has chosen to do the true artist thing and sing in depth about her life, her loves, world issues and more with revealing candor, sass and jazz. I love this album – 17 songs for the 17 years she's been away as an artist. I will be championing it HARD all next year, so get ready. Since I've been living with it for over two months now and it is available on-line, Nicki Richards' Nicki is my favorite album of the year.
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Cindy Blackman
Music for the New Millennium
(Sacred Sound)
Jazz drummer Cindy Blackman - known in the pop world for years of rockin' with Lenny Kravitz - brings a modern approach to composition on this album vs. the more traditional ones of her past. This gives her plenty of room to flex her expansive "rhythmatics" in every section of a song. Truly one from the heart, many of the pieces are dedicated to people she loves, and there is a burning synergy between Cindy and all the members of her quartet (JD Allen, Carlton Holmes and George Mitchell).
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Sharon Robinson
Everybody Knows
(S.R. Songs)
This lady has a haunting and minimalist style all her own as a singer, songwriter and producer that was first heard at the service of the great Canadian poet/singer Leonard Cohen on his classic Ten New Songs. The mysterious Robinson has finally ended the agonizing wait for her to record her own 10-song album of sobering musings on love and life. The music has a molasses-like magnetic pull that holds you captive to the very last note. The poetess was just as spellbinding at the Hollywood Bowl last summer. I long to hear her collaborate with Michael Franks for I suspect they could be soul mates. |
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Danilo Perez w/Claus Ogerman
Across the Crystal Sea
(EmArcy/Decca)
Danilo's fluid piano fits the great Claus Ogerman's compositions and arrangements like a glove in this dreamy mood maker of a disc that also includes one of Cassandra Wilson's most striking vocal performances ever on "(All of a Sudden) My Heart Sings."
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Lalah Hathaway
Self Portrait
(Stax)
The essence of Lalah all comes together here – a cohesiveness to mood and tempo, and a vibrant balance between the stone ground soul of father Donny's era and the more detached and galactic soul vibe of today. Self Portrait picks up an autobiographical thread begun on Outrun the Sky with confessionals such as "That Was Then," "Learning to Swim" and "Little Girl" mixed with wisdom meditations like "On Your Own," the hair-raising dual voices on "Naked Truth" (both Lalah's), and the closing musings of "Tragic Inevitability."
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Labelle
Back to Now
(Verve)
The reunion of Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash that has long been waited for was well worth it from ballads like "Candlelight" and "Superlover" to social messages like "System" (produced by Lenny Kravitz) and their cover of black rockers Mothers Finest's "The Truth Will Set You Free," plus a new Kenny Gamble anthem "Tears for the World" and a gem from the vault "Miss Otis Regrets." Bravo times three!
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Jazmine Sullivan
Fearless
(J Records)
This young lady has come out of nowhere to drop one of the most sonically interesting pop records of the year. Her voice (urgent upfront, heavenly in overdubbed backgrounds) is cushioned by the aural tapestries of experts like Salaam Remi, Missy Elliott and Stargate. There were a few new ladies who successfully dodged the cookie cutter this year (including Janelle Monae and Estelle), but Ms. Sullivan landed at the mainstream head of the pack. |
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Buddy Guy
Skin Deep
(Bullseye/Jive)
Buddy Guy is a living blues legend that has played with and associated with most ALL of the greats of the blues. That legacy is addressed on numbers like "Who's Gonna Fill Those Shoes," where he runs down a list of those who've gone on (from Sonny Boy Williamson to Stevie Ray Vaughan) and begs that musical question. The guitar slinger is still burnin' on smokers like "Best Damn Fool," "Smell the Funk" and "Hammer and a Nail," but waxes most poignant on "Skin Deep" – a reflection on his friendship with a white boy he grew up with in the South that has lasted to this day. |
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Nikka Costa
Pebble to a Pearl
(Stax)
To me, Nikka has always been the reincarnation of Lydia Pense of the San Francisco rockin' soul horn band Cold Blood from the late '60s – more controlled than a Janis Joplin yet wielding a mojo that could stand up to peers past and present. The great thing is that this album has songs that stick with you like the crazy hooky "Stuck To You," "Without Love" and "Keep Pushin'," to the Stevie-esque title track, the bluesy "Lovin' You" and "Love to Love You Less," and the dub reggae "Damn I Said it First." Every vibration rings authentic and Nikka sings them like she's lived them. |
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Donna Summer
Crayons
(Burgundy)
Sobering reality and hard-earned wisdom make Ms. Summer's Crayons (her first album of all new material since 1991) an intimate statement. The lady's star still shines on dance floor romps like "I'm a Fire," yet the real appeal is what's on the woman's mind in songs like the world unification anthem "Crayons" (a reggae duet with Ziggy Marley), "Fame (The Game)," "Drivin' Down Brazil," "Sand On My Feet" and "Be Myself Again" (on which she contemplates whether her stardom came at too expensive a price)." |
| Best Songs of 2008 |
"Hold Tonight"
Leon Ware
The master collaborated with many younger artists on his latest offering, Moon Ride, but the most lasting impression was made with this luscious cascade of timelessness that he handled alone. Transfixing.
"Blast!"
Marcus Miller
M&M took the Middle Eastern melody lines and ambiance that hip hop producers were merely lifting and toying with, and Frankenstein'd it into a living, fire-breathing Molotov Funk Tale. Inebriating.
"Blackhouse"
Amp Fiddler
Tapping into the ample well of Sly Stone and George Clinton, Detroit's Amp Fiddler reflects back on the touchstones of negritude that have led to America's eminent inauguration into office of the first Black President. Deep Soul.
"One Man's Stone"
Amy LaCour
This lady's debut EP floated into my life one sunny afternoon and this song from it introduced me to a thinking woman's cross between Bill Withers and Norah Jones. Rooted.
"You're the Only One"
Eric BenÉt
Brother Benét gets his mojo back with this tender throwback of `70s style Philly Soul that deservedly topped the R&B charts for four weeks this summer - a sweet, mouthwatering popsicle of soul. Delicious.
"Please Excuse My Hands"
Plies f/ Jamie Foxx & The Dream
Y'all know I usually don't go for this kind of stuff, but Plies kept it real with a sexy naughty mash note about finding his woman too irresistible not to feel up. It kept me smiling every chance I heard it. Straight Mackin'.
"Who's Your Daddy?"
Lina
I'm just a sucker for the way this lady melds the sounds of eras gone by with the sound of today, never more transfixing than how she freaked it on this song - coaxing boys into some semblance of responsible manhood. Spellbinding.
"Staying in Love"
Raphael Saadiq
Raphael makes like a one-man Four Tops on this golden era Motown throwback about the power of love. That it just so happened to be released the year we lost Levi Stubbs lends it a heightened level of relevance. Honorable.
"Won't Trade"
Q-Tip
Two and a half minutes of tongue-twisting mind-blowing rhyme from the Tribe Called Quest member's eagerly awaited third solo joint, flowed over a sampled soul sister with serious attitude. Righteous.
"No Air"
Jordin Sparks f/ Chris Brown
Jimmy Jam put me up on this one during a panel at this year's Urban Network Power Summit in Newport Beach. It truly is that rare transcendent slice of soul pop in today's increasingly barren radio landscape. Puppy Luv. |
| Best Concerts of 2008 |
Maxwell/Jazmine Sullivan
Shrine Auditorium – November 1
Rush
Nokia Theatre – May 8
Charles Lloyd (w/Moran/Rogers/Harland)
Catalina - March 30 (2nd set)
The Time Reunion (w/ Heidi Marie)
Flamingo Hotel (Vegas) – June 27
Wynton Marsalis/Willie Nelson/JALCO
Hollywood Bowl – July 9
Mint Condition/Rahsaan Patterson/Lina
Urban Network – March 29
Jay-Z/Mary J. Blige
Hollywood Bowl – April 16
Alicia Keys/Ne-Yo/Jordin Sparks/Jermaine Paul
Staples Center – May 5
LOWRIDER Band (The REAL WAR)
Temple Bar – September 28
Amp Fiddler/Baby Stone (f/ Sly Stone!)
Temple Bar – March 12 |
| Video of the Year |
"Honey"
Erykah Badu
(Erykah Badu & Chris robinson - Directors) |
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| YEAR END REVIEW 2008 |
2008: A Year In Hip-Hop Review
By Todd Davis |
| This is my recap of the year in Hip-Hop! These are personal Top Ten lists of albums, singles, movies, books — And, whether you agree or not, please just keep it self-contained, they're all only coming from MY opinion. With that being said, I can only hope that everyone just enjoys the read! |
| Top 10 Hip-Hop Albums (in no particular order) |
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The Game: LAX — After a few minor setbacks and delays, The Game finally returned with his third and quite possibly last CD, LAX. Keyshia Cole appeared on the radio friendly first offering "Game's Pain," while other cameos came courtesy of Ice Cube, Raekwon, Ludacris, and singers Bilal and Raheem DeVaughn, to name a few. Cool & Dre, Nottz, J.R. Rotem, Scott Storch, DJ Toomp, Hi-Tek and Kanye West all lent their superb production to the record. |
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E-40: The Ball Street Journal — The Ambassador of the "Yay" (Area), Earl "E-40" Stevens, used his only option "to go hard or go home" quite wisely, and came all the way wit it on his eighth solo entry, The Ball Street Journal. In my opinion it's a big step above '06's still solid My Ghetto Report Card. The jump off single, "Wake It Up," which features Akon, as well as the Ice T assisted "Earl," "Pain No More," his collabo with Snoop Dogg and The Game, "Give Her The Keys," which reunites him with his "U and Dat" co-star, T-Pain, and his freaky duet with Too Short, "Sliding Down The Pole," are just a few of the set's highlights. |
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Lil' Wayne: Tha Carter III — Possibly the most anticipated Hip-Hop release ever, the highly anticipated, oft delayed Tha Carter III somehow managed to actually arrive in June of this year. And, the Cash Money millionaire, Weezy F Baby, did indeed pull off a miracle of sorts. Thanks to the lead single, the ultra popular, auto-tune ditty, "Lollipop," a song with the late, great Static Major, rocketing Tha Carter III to multi-platinum status in an otherwise non-existent music marketplace. |
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Q Tip: The Renaissance — After years of empty promises, the eagerly awaited The Renaissance from, former, ATCQ, that's A Tribe Called Quest for those needing a "Hip-Hop for Dummies" manual, front-man Kamaal Ibn John Fareed, a.k.a. Q-Tip, finally bowed more than nine years after his lukewarm solo debut Amplified. With vocal assists from Raphael Saadiq, Norah Jones, D'Angelo and Amanda Diva, The Renaissance is a great new chapter in an already illustrious career in music. Let's just hope he doesn't take this long next time! |
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T.I.: Paper Trail — Often trouble rap star T.I. brought more of that "Trap Music" to the table, when his latest offering, Paper Trail, finally got its release, after having been pushed back multiple times, in September. Guests and production duties were handled by some of the hottest in the biz: Lil' Wayne, Rihanna, Usher, The-Dream, Kanye West, Jay-Z, B.O.B, John Legend, DJ Toomp, Swizz Beatz, Drumma Boy, Danja, to name a few...
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"Personal" honorable mentions go out to Young Jeezy for The Recession, EPMD's December comeback LP, We Mean Business, Plies' Da Realist, Bun B's II Trill, Devin The Dude's Landing Gear, 9th Wonder & Buckshot's The Formula, The Roots' Rising Down, Gnarls Barkley's The Odd Couple, Heavy D's reggae return, Vibes, and I am sure there's more but I have to remember my word count! (lol)
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| Top 10 Hip-Hop Singles (again, in no particular order) |
- Lil' Wayne: "Lollipop"
- Kanye West: "Love Lockdown"
- T.I.: "Whatever You Like"
- Young Jeezy: "Put On"
- Ice Cube: "Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It"
- T-Pain: "Karaoke"
- Jean Grae: "Love Thirst"
- Pete Rock: "Till I Retire"
- Pitbull: "Krazy"
- Plies: "Bust It Baby Pt. 2"
50's "Get Up"? Hmm...Nah, I got 10!
(And, countless mix-tape and mix-tape tracks — Too many to name...) |
| MOVIES (Top 10) |
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- The Dark Knight: Heath Ledger — All that needs to be said!
- Iron Man: Robert Downey Jr. magnificently turned things around at the box office!
- Tropic Thunder: Hilarity ensued!
- Kung Fu Panda: Animation at its finest!
- Pineapple Express: Another funny, funny flick!
- Step Brothers: More funny — This time from Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly!
- Twilight: Teenagers, vampires, and werewolves, Oh my!
- Hellboy II: The Golden Army: Not often is there a part 2 of anything that outdoes its predecessor Hellboy II did!
- Cadillac Records: Oscar contender, perhaps? It's about the legendary rise and fall of the historic music institute known as Chess Records.
- Seven Pounds: Will Smith is one of this generation's greatest actors, and this, too, may also be an award winner for Best Picture!
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| LITERARY WORKS (Top 10) |
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| Hiding in Hip Hop: On The Down Low in the Entertainment Industry—From Music to Hollywood: The story that many in Hip-Hop entirely ran from, but it eventually caught up with everyone, especially those still on the DL! |
| Insatiable: The Rise of a Porn Star: Very revealing and personal exposé from a worldwide porn legend! |
| Straight from the Source: An exposé from the Former Editor in Chief of the Hip-Hop Bible: A combination of scathing and detailed accounts, with an emphasis on their former H.N.I.C. = Scandal(ous)! |
| Let's Talk About Pep: A complete look into both the private and professional life of Sandra "Pepa" Denton of Salt-n-Pepa fame. |
Keep the Faith: A Memoir: Biggie's widow and the mother of his look-a-like son, CJ, R&B singer Faith Evans tells her amazing story. |
| Midnight: A Gangster Love Story: As an indirect sequel to The Coldest Winter Ever [1999], Sister Souljah finally continues her "thug" tales. |
| The Way I Am: Although his long overdue new album, Relapse, got postponed yet again, Eminem decided to still share something: His private reflections, drawings, handwritten lyrics, and never-before-seen photographs in his new book, The Way I Am. |
| My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem: Setting the Record Straight on My Life as Eminem's Mother: His mother, Debbie Nelson, with whom he's had a many years-long troubled and estranged relationship with, basically does what the title suggests — Sets (her side of) the record straight! |
| 21 Nights: A rare glimpse into the life, lyrics and mystique of the man, myth, living legend himself, Prince! |
Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice: Don't laugh! This was an excellent book choice in 2008. Not just geared towards the Brady Bunch fanatics throughout the universe, but basically anyone who wants or needs to hear a, pardon the pun, story about survival. There was an extreme dark side to and about Maureen that no one could've ever even vaguely imagined, but she conquered it. Kudos to her! |
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