Black Privilege

Publisher's Summary

Charlamagne Tha God - the self-proclaimed "Prince of Pissing People Off", cohost of Power 105.1's The Breakfast Club, and "hip-hop's Howard Stern" - shares his unlikely success story as well as how embracing one's truths is a fundamental key to success and happiness.

In his new book, Charlamagne Tha God presents his comic, often controversial, and always brutally honest insights on how living an authentic life is the quickest path to success. Beginning with his journey from the small town of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, to his headline grabbing interviews with celebrities like Justin Bieber, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, and Hillary Clinton, he shares how he turned his troubled early life around by owning his (many) mistakes and refusing to give up on his dreams, even after his controversial opinions got him fired from several on-air jobs. Combining his own story with bold advice and his signature commitment to honesty at all costs, Charlamagne hopes this book will give others the confidence to live their own truths.

©2017 Charlamagne Tha God (P)2017 Simon & Schuster Audio

Surprisingly Awesome

I was skeptical about reading this book just because I only really know Charlemagne other than radio personality. The title brought me in and the curiosity of what he has to say. Man the storytelling kept me. The content kept me. It wasn't just some simple 10 step book of being successful it was very thoughtful. I'll have to read this book again to entirely get the gems dropped in this one. Great read.

16 of 16 people found this review helpful

Wonderfully Bold, Brazen and Brash!

Listened to the entire book in a day. Charlamagne delivers his story with such a deliberateness and honesty, you can't hate the man for bearing his soul. You hear the stories of the things he's done and you hear them out as if you don't know things worked out in the end. His eight principles are those you can share with your kids...maybe not in the same language, but in theory. A great listen. I highly recommend it for someone who is just beginning their journey or someone who feel as if they have lost their way. Access your privilege!

36 of 38 people found this review helpful

Amazing, Inspirational, Needlessly Crude at Times

First, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Charlamagne's message and thoroughly respect his mindset, hustle, and work ethic. Unfortunately, the importance of hard work, planning, and starting from rock bottom is desperately misunderstood and devalued among our youths. This book shows them how supreme sacrifice and struggle can have a pay-off over time.

I would very much like to share this book with my 15 year old nephew, but am wondering if I need to wait until he's a little older. What I didn't like about the book was (in my opinion) the unnecessary use of vulgarity and some crucial points I believed he overlooked. I know Charlamagne's response to me would be that he's just keeping it real. And, that's the clean version of what he might say.

There are parts of this book that send the wrong message to young men. I feel that sharing intimate details of he and his wife's sex life added absolutely no value to the book and showed a serious lack of respect for her and their marriage. Just as in a lot of Hip Hop, it promotes misogyny, which is the primary culprit in the destruction our families. Young men need to understand that some things should remain sacred between a husband and wife, and should not be shared with anyone. Also, while thug life is all too much a reality among our youths, Charlamagne's portrayal of misbehaving in school, selling drugs and going to jail as no big deal is dangerous and irresponsible rhetoric. Too many black youths view selling drugs, gang banging, and going to prison as simply a right of passage through which they will/must travel.

Charlamagne reveals little to no remorse and relatively minor consequences for his actions. He simply portrays them as a means to an end. Maybe he's not sorry about the role he played in poisoning people or destroying a community. But, if he was going to be so explicit about other things in the book, he should have also addressed the pain and heartache that goes along with living that kind of life, as well as the predictable results that come from squandering an education. At the very least, he should have discussed the heartache he certainly caused his mother. That is, if he even realizes it.

Finally, too many of our so-called roll models glamorize selling drugs and/or theft as acceptable stepping-stones for financing their legitimate dreams (Jay-Z, P-Diddy, etc.), when education MUST be emphasized as THE means for escaping poverty LEGALLY. Black men must understand that caring for their families, respecting the mother of their children, and empowerment through education is the only way to end the generational cycle of poverty that runs rampant through our communities. Charlamagne missed some very important teaching/motivational opportunities by ignoring these simple facts.

52 of 57 people found this review helpful

Don't Judge a Book by It's Cover

I'm going to be honest. When I read the title of this book, I thought, "I'm not interested in race or any implications behind it right now." I was looking for a book that was going to teach me how to live life. Not another book about how a black person overcame oppression. Just wasn't looking for that the time. But I listened to it anyways after listening to the preview, and it was the best book I have read. It was more about life than anything else. Charlamagne also filled the book with more inappropriate punchlines than Will Ferrel in the Step Brothers. This was just incredible. I'm going to listen to it again.

86 of 98 people found this review helpful

Great book

first audible in fact my first book I've ever finished. this book make you feel motavtated and inspired to never stop chasing your dream even if have to take steps the pays next to none.

11 of 12 people found this review helpful

Atop the Mount Rushmore of books!

It has been a long time since I picked up an book and could not put it down. Black Privelage is one of those books that you will not and cannot put down. It is filled with so man nuggets and gems of wisdom that everyone should deposit into their life. I've been a huge Charlamagne fan for a long time and salute my fellow Carolinian brother for his contributions to our culture our community and to the world as a whole. I stand behind this work because it it exactly what every young person needs to hear as they journey towards success. So before you purchase anything else forget that new Michael Koors bag or those new Beats headphones invest in your life in your dreams and your purpose and get this book and let Uncle Charla speak truth into your life.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Really good book.

This book should be a requirement for young black teen boys! Really inspiring book. Keep up the good work.

18 of 21 people found this review helpful

Very insightful!!

I enjoyed the book. It was so good that I even took notes. The little stories provided to drive a theme home were great. I learned so much about Charlemagne that I didn't know before. I admit I am a little biased due to being a fan of his work on the Breakfast Club and Brilliant Idiots but as a fan I can say he practices what he preaches in this book. I connected a lot with certain things like the toy he believed was alive. I had a similar experience with that as well. The only negative thing I would say would be sometimes if felt like we got off track when telling the stories with the name dropping and different asides. It was cool via audiobook because it felt more like a convo but not sure how it would be in actual print!! Great start to your writing career!! Will keep a look out from much more!!

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Laughs, jaw drops, and more

I Thoroughly enjoyed this story. I could relate to so many parts throughout his childhood and establishing his career. What a great outlook to have when one thinks they have lost, they really have won. Thank you for your opportunity as you said so well.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great Read!

I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be a smooth read with a lot of little gems scattered through it. Charlamagne did a good job with the narration. Overall, very inspiring book and I highly recommend it as a must read!!!

10 of 12 people found this review helpful

Amazing!!

Thank you so much for sharing your story. This is a book is 11/10 and I will definitely be listening to it again and again and again. I hope your book tour includes London as well.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Amazing truth! Great philosophy to life!

Never be too pride full to learn from some else. you never know where that rope to connect YOUR dots might come from.
I feel inspired and send my thanks threw prayer! Much love! x

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Breakfast Club Charlamagne

Great book, if you're already familiar with Charlemagne you'd have heard some of the stories in this book previously.
However he does incorporate some "Gems" and life lessons throughout which are very practical and that I'll personally take on board.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

If you like C Tha God, You'll love this book

Great book and well performed by the author. Was worried this book would just be lots of waffle used to make money but there are some interesting stories and great gems in here all read with passion, humour and humility by Charlamagne himself.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Amazing book

It hit home more than anybody would know. Well written, read and was only a true representation of him as a man and the mindset.

Thank you

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

great read

loved it will definitely revisit and take notes . loved the honesty and emphasis on hard work and persistence

What an inspiring read!

Love, Love, Love this book. One of the realist books I have listened to in a long time. It makes you wanna get out in the world and pivevtye BEST version of you that you possibly can!

truly life changing

loved the book!
so glad charlemange read it,
speak your truth, and buy shook ones! it's equally as good and helps ya get ya mind on track a positively inspiring and interesting author and the way he articulates the past is gripping.

Brilliant

1st audio book and i loved it. Brilliant for new fans or old ones. would highly recommend.

brilliant

great listen from start to finish s must read. onto the next soon very pleased