{"product_id":"top-billin-stories-of-laughter-lessons-and-triumph-9780063237629","title":"Top Billin': Stories of Laughter, Lessons, and Triumph","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the MTV trailblazer, stand-up comedian, and actor, a hilariously candid memoir that is an intimate, entertaining, and heartfelt tour through the exclusive, elusive, and eternally iconic world of '90s pop culture.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eImagine 50 Cent's \u003cem\u003eHustle Harder, Hustle Smarter \u003c\/em\u003ewritten by a nerdy Black kid from Newark, New Jersey, who made it big despite the skepticism of his family. That's \u003cem\u003eMixing It Up.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBill Bellamy is Carlton Banks's slightly cooler and comedically inclined alter-ego--a guy who went against the grain and left a promising corporate career path to pursue comedy (much to the dismay of his family). Making the leap paid off--in ways Bill never expected. In \u003cem\u003eMixing It Up, \u003c\/em\u003e he looks back at his time at MTV during the '90s, when the cable music channel was at the epicenter of pop culture. He recounts his legendary interviews with the biggest pop stars--Tupac, Biggie, and Kurt Cobain--making friends with Janet Jackson, and even coining the infamous term \"booty call\" on HBO's \u003cem\u003eDef Comedy Jam. \u003c\/em\u003eDuring his time at MTV, Bill broke color and class barriers, appearing four times a week on the network's various programs, including \u003cem\u003eMTV Jamz \u003c\/em\u003eand \u003cem\u003eMTV Beach House.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMixing It Up\u003c\/em\u003e is an exclusive, all-access backstage pass to Bill's career and life. It's all in here--memories, music, and unforgettable moments, including conversations with some of the decade's legendary artists, the best of the '90s celebri-tea, nostalgia, and insights on what it meant to be a tastemaker during one of the most exciting and innovative periods in music and American pop culture history.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Amistad Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 04\/25\/2023\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780063237629\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 240\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.42lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal Prepub Alert\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/01\/2022 pg. 19\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 01\/15\/2023\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 02\/27\/2023\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Bill Bellamy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42753369276597,"sku":"9780063237629","price":25.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_df482cca-276e-4a37-9134-1a1bd92c1e56.jpg?v=1677594136","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/top-billin-stories-of-laughter-lessons-and-triumph-9780063237629","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}