Blue Banner Biographies
Contemporary Pop Entertainers V
Corbin BleuISBN 9781584156741List Price $25.70School/Library $17.95In StockA childhood filled with dance lessons, modeling work, and small parts in plays fueled Corbin Bleu’s dream to become a full-time actor—and it didn’t take long for that dream to be realized. At age sixteen, Bleu was cast in the Discovery Kids TV series Flight 29 Down; soon after, he won the part of basketball-playing best friend Chad in Disney’s High School Musical movie series. The movies catapulted Bleu from a working actor to an award-winning superstar who had to learn how to deal with paparazzi. Through it all, Bleu has remained true to himself, his family, and his fans. He dedicates his time to charities that benefit kids and animals and is determined to always remember how lucky he is. Find out what makes this actor, dancer, and singer a true star. |
Kanye WestISBN 9781584156772List Price $25.70School/Library $17.95In Stock
Though his upbringing was untraditional for a rapper, Kanye West rose to fame as a hip-hop star in the mid-2000s. Raised by a single parent who was a Fullbright Scholar and Chair of the English Department at Chicago State University, Kanye grew up in an upper-middle-class area of Chicago. Kanye was already a noted producer, but his middle-class background and preppy dress made him seem out of place for the hip-hop scene, which was dominated by gangsta personalities. A near fatal car accident became the catalyst for Kanye to prove he was also a rapper—one with talent and attitude. He began collecting awards for his music, and headlines for his arrogance. With an ear for crazy rhyme schemes and hit-making beats, and a knack for expressing topics that audiences can relate to, Kanye was determined to change the face of hip-hop and make history. |
RihannaISBN 9781584156734List Price $25.70School/Library $17.95In StockAt age fifteen, Rihanna received the break that most people only dream about: A chance meeting with a popular producer in her home country of Barbados quickly led her down the path to stardom. Within months, she auditioned for Def Jam’s CEO Jay-Z. Hours later, she signed a record deal that changed her life. By age nineteen, Rihanna had become an international superstar, topping the R&B charts in the United States and worldwide. In less than three years, she had released three albums, was nominated for several Grammy Awards, and had received numerous other music awards. Rihanna’s beauty and fashion sense have launched yet another piece of her young career. Magazines all over the world have featured Rihanna on their covers. CoverGirl Cosmetics named her their spokesperson in 2007. Life has really changed for this girl who used to call herself a tomboy when she was growing up in Barbados. |
Sean KingstonISBN 9781584156796List Price $25.70School/Library $17.95In Stock
Singer/songwriter Sean Kingston might be sporting diamond necklaces worth thousands of dollars these days, but his life hasn’t always been that flashy. Splitting his childhood between Miami, Florida, and Kingston, Jamaica, Sean dealt with more hardship than most kids. His parents were divorced. A run-in with the law at age eleven landed him in jail. By sixteen, Sean was homeless. Even with all that hardship, nothing stopped him from pursuing his music career. A big fan and user of MySpace, Sean sought out a record producer who could make him famous. With a lot of persistence, he found the perfect person to get the job done—producer J.R. Rotem. In less than a year, Sean topped the charts with “Beautiful Girls,” a song about heartbreak and losing a girlfriend. When faced with tough times, many people give up. Sean has pushed forward. This artist is living his dream. |
Soulja Boy Tell 'EmISBN 9781584156765List Price $25.70School/Library $17.95In Stock
Businessman, producer, hitmaker, and entertainer DeAndre Cortez Way, known as Soulja Boy Tell ’Em, received his first Grammy Award nomination for best rap song when he was in high school. “Before I was rapping, I was just a regular kid in school,” he said. “One day at school my friends were freestyling at the lunch table and that’s where it all started.” From his shoes to his shades and unique accessories, Soulja Boy designed his own movement. Wearing oversized shirts and brightly colored sneakers, the young rapper hit the stage with original songs and dance moves. Harnessing the Internet and employing guerrilla-style marketing, DeAndre capitalized on digital technology to build a fan base and sell millions of singles and ringtones. Combining fresh style with cutting-edge technology, DeAndre set new trends in entertainment while he was still a teenager. |
Taylor SwiftISBN 9781584156758List Price $25.70School/Library $17.95In StockTaylor Swift gave up going to slumber parties at age ten to sing at karaoke contests, fairs, and festivals. When she was eleven, she sang for thousands of people at a Philadelphia 76ers basketball game. Taylor lived on a farm in a place where country music was not very popular. She often felt alone, isolated from the people around her. It would have been easy to give up on her dream of being a country music singer. But Taylor was determined to do what it took to have people notice her as a singer. She went door-to-door in Nashville handing out CDs of her singing and asking for record deals. Still, the big break eluded her. Read about how hard work and firm belief in herself helped the tall blond from the East mold herself into one of the top singers and songwriters in country music. |
TimbablandISBN 9781584156710List Price $25.70School/Library $17.95In StockIt all started for Timothy Mosley when his mother bought him a Casio keyboard when he was a teenager. The Virginia Beach native taught himself how to play—but he didn’t stop there. He also taught himself how to play the guitar and drums. By the time he was finished with high school, Mosley, nicknamed Timbaland, was already sure that his life would be dedicated to music. He began writing songs, experimenting with sounds, and joining bands. His real talent, though, lay in helping others create a sound that was right for them. Find out how, from his first tinkerings on that Casio keyboard, Timbaland became one of the music industry’s most popular producers, helping people like Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, and Missy Elliott become megastars, and how he found a successful career as a recording artist in his own right. |
Toby KeithISBN 9781584156789List Price $25.70School/Library $17.95In StockGrowing up in rural Oklahoma, Toby Keith was raised with many traditional American values: a strong work ethic, patriotism, and devotion to family. At a young age, he gained a love for country music. He received his first guitar at age eight and started learning basic melodies and writing his own music. Before launching a successful country music career in his thirties, Toby followed in his father’s footsteps and worked in the Oklahoma oil fields. Then he played semiprofessional football with the Oklahoma Drillers. But his passion for playing music never died. Find out how, after spending seven years on the road, performing in tiny bars and clubs and never giving up, Toby’s music career finally took off. |
Vanessa Anne HudgensISBN 9781584156727List Price $25.70School/Library $17.95In StockShe had played bit parts on a handful of TV series but, until High School Musical came along, Vanessa Anne Hudgens was just another pretty young actress. A hit in more than 100 countries, the HSM movies made Hudgens a bona fide star. She sang and danced on an international concert tour, got her own record deal, and found her image on merchandise ranging from posters and T-shirts to toys and video games. Fans began copying her fashion styles and the paparazzi were following her everywhere. When nude photos of the young actress popped up on the Internet, Hudgens quickly learned about the downside of fame; she also learned the importance of family, friends, and fans. She’s grateful for those who’ve stood by her through good times as well as bad. Find out how this determined actress stays true to her pre-fame self, and why Vanessa Hudgens is more than just a pretty face. |
Contemporary Pop Entertainers V: Complete Set (9 titles)ISBN 9781584157281List Price $231.30School/Library $161.55In Stock |
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