Horn Book Review
These biographies highlight contemporary African American singers and actors. The texts don't sugarcoat their subjects' lives (e.g., Jay-Z's drug dealing past is fair game, along with Oprah's criticism of his songs' use of the N-word). Many of the sound-bite-ish quotes come from pop-culture interviews ("According to People magazine..."; "...he later told Playboy magazine..."). Oddly, no photos or illustrations are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. [Review covers these African-American Icons titles: Jay-Z, Chris Rock, Tyler Perry, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jennifer Hudson, and Beyonci.] (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Chris Rock has made a name for himself by making light of serious topics and finding catharsis in laughter. From humble beginnings in a tough neighborhood in Brooklyn to an eventual stint on Saturday Night Live and a legendary status in stand-up comedy, Rock honed a sharp insight into the world around him. No topic is too sensitive for his comedy routines, and this book does not shy away from quoting his most notorious acts, with slight modifications that eliminate much of the profanity. The tone is breezy, and the depiction of Rock appropriately complex, and where else are you going to get insight into such films as CB4, Lethal Weapon 4, and Pootie Tang? Drawing on multiple interviews with Rock himself, this biography celebrates the candor and honesty of this often controversial comedian.--Anderson, Erin Copyright 2010 Booklist
