Top Billin': Stories of Laughter, Lessons, and Triumph -- Bill Bellamy, Hardcover

From 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.

Imagine 50 Cent's Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter written by a nerdy Black kid from Newark, New Jersey, who made it big despite the skepticism of his family. That's Mixing It Up.

Bill 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 Mixing It Up, 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 Def Comedy Jam. During his time at MTV, Bill broke color and class barriers, appearing four times a week on the network's various programs, including MTV Jamz and MTV Beach House.

Mixing It Up 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.

Author: Bill Bellamy
Publisher: Amistad Press
Published: 04/25/2023
Pages: 240
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.92lbs
Size: 9.26h x 6.35w x 0.96d
ISBN: 9780063237629

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal Prepub Alert 11/01/2022 pg. 19
Kirkus Reviews 01/15/2023
Publishers Weekly 02/27/2023