Frank Carlson Library

Themes: Hi-Lo, urban nonfiction, music, entrepreneur, Hip-Hop, celebrities, biographies. Armando Christian Pérez would record his rapping over other songs. This made him one of the most popular local rap artists in Miami. He called himself Pitbull and explained how he and the dog were alike: "They bite to lock. The dog is too stupid to lose. And they're outlawed in Dade County. They're basically everything that I am. It's been a constant fight."...

Themes: Hi-Lo, urban nonfiction, music, entrepreneur, Hip-Hop, celebrities, biographies. From gospel choirboy to Star Search winner, Usher, whose full name is Usher Terry Raymond IV, is not just a multi-platinum recording artist. He's a singer, a dancer, and an actor. He is a composer. He has written songs for many famous artists. Usher is a proud father. He is also a mentor, a person who helps or teaches people. He works hard as an activist. He does...

Themes: Hi-Lo, urban nonfiction, music, entrepreneur, Hip-Hop, celebrities, biographies. The world knows 50 Cent as a hip-hop artist and movie star. He has won dozens of awards and made millions of dollars. He works to end hunger around the world. But 50 Cent, also known as Fiddy, grew up living a very different life in South Jamaica, Queens. It was the height of the 1980's crack epidemic. And Fiddy was dealing crack by age twelve... There's no doubt...

Themes: Hi-Lo, urban nonfiction, music, entrepreneur, Hip-Hop, celebrities, biographies. People find it very hard to describe Nicki Minaj. She is a very successful solo rap artist. But that leaves out her talent in other styles of music. You could describe her as a fierce feminist. But she also works hard at being really cute. Fans of Nicki Minaj understand that she is anything but simple. There's no doubt about it, today's students listen to an average...

Themes: Hi-Lo, urban nonfiction, music, entrepreneur, Hip-Hop, celebrities, biographies. Bad-boy Chris Brown signed with Jive records at age fifteen. "I hope I can be the next Michael Jackson," Brown said. His first album was an instant top-ten hit. Grammy nominations brought him even more attention. Billboard named Chris 2008's Artist of the Year. He maintained a low profile after his assault of then-girlfriend, Rihanna. But now he's back on top....