A Tribute to Prodigy

Posted on by Tracy Dimond

by Will Johnson, “The Uncommon Librarian,” Northwood Branch Manager

Hip Hop has lost another legend. Albert Johnson, also known as “Prodigy,” succumbed to his battle with Sickle cell disease at the age of 42. One half of the Mobb Deep duo, Prodigy was known for his poignant rhymes, storytelling, and bringing the struggle of growing up in Queens, New York to life.  Baltimore isn’t Queens, but Mobb Deep’s music spoke about the grittiness of growing up in Queensbridge Housing Projects, the biggest housing project in North America. His music also spoke to the struggle a lot of young black men deal with across the country.

Prodigy began his rapping career at the age of sixteen. His first album was called Juvenile Hell.  The album was not a commercial success however; it prepped Mobb Deep for their critically acclaimed second album The Infamous. The album produced four singles that reached billboard status; “Shook Ones Pt. II“, “Survival of the Fittest“, “Temperature’s Rising“, “Give Up the Goods (Just Step)“.  Rolling Stone listed “Shook Ones Pt. II” on their list of 50 Greatest Hip Hop Songs Of All Times.

Over the year’s Prodigy released five albums as a soloist and seven albums as a member of Mobb Deep. He also authored four books, including: My Infamous Life: The Autobiography of Mobb Deep’s Prodigy, H.N.I.C: An Infamous Novella and Commissary Kitchen: My Infamous Prison Cookbook.

Click on the images to link to materials in the library catalog.

You can also listen to a podcast of his 2011 Writers LIVE program.

R.I.Paradise,  Prodigy.

Seven Selections: Reviews from the 2017 Adult Summer Challenge Participants

Posted on by Tracy Dimond

Check out these reading recommendations from participants in the Adult Summer Challenge:

Bobbi O. (Central Library) on Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple: Mothers in particular will relate to this book—or any woman who has experienced loss or just tries her best to look, feel, and be her best self. Witty, funny, poignant.

Melina T. (Govans Branch) on Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi: This is Ms. Gyasi’s first novel and it has so much to offer. The story follows two half sisters from Ghana and eight generations of each sister, one who remains in Africa and the other who is sold into slavery. I really like how Ms. Gyasi structures the book, with stories from each sister and then each successive generation. The sections dealing with West Africa are so lovely, lyrical, and painful. The second half of the book, in America, does not have as developed characters or insights, but still such an awesome first book and I know Yaa Gyasi will be an important voice in the future!

Robert B. (Light Street Branch) on Scars of Independence: America’s Violent Birth by Holger Hoock: So, here we are with another book discussing those familiar times and resonant with the names of America’s founders — Franklin, Washington, Hamilton, et al. You might wonder what could possibly be said that hasn’t been said before. This is where Hoock’s Scars of Independence distinguishes itself. Most of us believe that the American Revolution was a reasonably moral and ethical one with no resemblance whatsoever to some of the truly bloody upheavals that followed thereafter, such as the French Revolution. Hoock’s exhaustive research proves that our revolution is replete with examples of violence and cruelty, on the part of both Patriots and Loyalists, Americans and British. If you enjoy reading history, you won’t want to miss this one!

 

Jeannette T. (Pennsylvania Avenue Branch) on Bahama Love by Khara Campbell: Breathtaking! Full of fire and desire. […]It was good to the very end and kept you on the edge. It had a beautiful ending. Read the book!!! You won’t be disappointed.

Yvette J. (Reisterstown Road Branch) on All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes by Maya Angelou: A biography woven together with rich history, humor, colorful imagery and emotion.

Rob G. (Southeast Anchor Library) on Night Film by Marisha Pessl: So exciting I finished it in one day!

Lisa G. (Staff) on Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders: Abraham Lincoln, Buddhism, and ghosts: what more could you want from a novel?  I loved this!

For a chance to win fabulous prizes, submit an entry to the Adult Summer Challenge here.

 

Welcome Ben Rosenberg as New Pratt Library Board Chair

Posted on by Meghan McCorkell

The Enoch Pratt Free Library is proud to announce Benjamin Rosenberg has been elected the new Chair of the Pratt Library Boards of Directors and Trustees. Rosenberg is the founder and Chairman of Rosenberg Martin Greenberg, LLP, and is recognized as a preeminent litigator in the state of Maryland.

Rosenberg has been on the Pratt Library board since 2012, serving the past two years as the Vice-Chair.   “Since joining the Board of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, I have become convinced that the Library is the most important educational institution in Baltimore,” says Rosenberg.  “It provides a venue for hundreds of thousands of Baltimoreans to satisfy their intellectual curiosity, to explore job opportunities or to indulge in the simple pleasure of reading a good book.  I am humbled and honored to serve our City as the next Chair of the Pratt Library Board.”

Rosenberg succeeds Patricia Lasher, who has been Chair of the Pratt Library Board since 2013.

 

Six Picks: More Reviews from the 2017 Adult Summer Challenge Participants

Posted on by Tracy Dimond

Looking for reading suggestions? Here’s another round of wonderful reviews from participants in the Adult Summer Challenge:

Nicole J. (Edmondson Avenue Branch) on Hidden Blessings by Kim Cash Tate: This book was excellent. It showed her journey through breast cancer and also told a story of true love.

Cecelia A. (Forest Park Branch) on Black Man, White House: An Oral History of the Obama Years by D. L. Hughley with Michael Malice: I loved this book.  It provided an “inside” (tongue-in-cheek) view of the major players and their “reactions” (also tongue-in-cheek) to some of the more momentous events in the White House.  Not only did I laugh (and who couldn’t use a good laugh now), but I learned a few things about politics/politicians and was reminded of events that I had forgotten.  If you’re a news junkie, like me, you will enjoy this book and if you’re not you may be when you finish it.

Whitney J. (Hamilton Branch) on Conclave by Robert Harris: While I’m not a Catholic, I’ve often been intrigued by the process of selecting a new pope. There are so many books and movies about this topic. Conclave deals with it beautifully. Truly engrossing.

Krista L. (Light Street Branch) on Bad Houses by Sara Ryan: It’s an amazing graphic novel about letting go…. I related so much of this to my life and the things that I’m dealing with now.

Shana B. (Roland Park Branch) on The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon: Second book in a series of seven and very good! The master plot is starting to shape up and the characters are so interesting!

Anthony B. (Waverly Branch) on Americanah by Chimamandah Ngozi Adichie: A reflective book about the immigrant experience: how experiencing two cultures at a young age can lead you to view the world in a more critical perspective. You begin to understand that no culture is perfect and that socialization can, with time, claim all people, including yourself, as a victim. It is a coming of age, romance, critical, sociological, political, and historical reading. A beautiful and must-read novel that exposes the power of fiction to create empathy across all boundaries and to build bridges over walls.

For a chance to win fabulous prizes, submit an entry to the Adult Summer Challenge here.