From a non-pimp adolescent to a retired middle-aged Pimp. Instead he explained everything about his life, from child to middle-aged Man. The reason is that I love the fact that he did not try to display himself as some kind of godlike figure, with this being an autobiography about his life. Kelly, in her New Yorker profile of Robert Beck, aka Iceberg Slim “Pimp,” Beck’s most popular work, is also his least political. It was Chappelle who opened my eyes a bit to how understanding Slim's perspective on pimps and whores gave one a larger understanding of capitalism, power, and race in America.* So, I didn't need to enjoy this book to get something from it. It was while watching Dave Chappelle's 'The Bird Revelation,' however, when I decided I NEEDED to read Iceberg Slim sooner rather than later. I had been aware of Iceberg Slim, but had never read him.

Think of acts like Richard Pryor and David Chappelle. It inspired writers, rappers, and comedians for generations. It somehow carved a bit of poetry out of depravity, misery and yearning. Published in 1969, this book presented one hard, dark edge of black literature. There isn't much at the end that redeems the story or the storyteller. This isn't a book you read because you want eroticism. His inner-life is so rich with cunning and scheming to out-think his whores.' - Iceberg Slim, Pimp: The Story of My Life Iceberg Slim dances on that thread between unapologetic and remorseful. Later years? Surely, because people can change, but to see this as a guide to pimpin? BRUH I'm glad people have made careers off this inspiring story, but don't go telling children that this man was a role model. The community needs people to support it, so no one falls through the cracks. A story like this does not move me to pimping, it moves me to unity. It's like he was a smart kid that woke up in a nightmare, and the only way he could get by is pimping. He has chances to grow into a productive member of society, but one thing led to another, leading him down a path of darkness. The most important take away from this book was the way he grew up. Why are we fostering an environment that destroys people like this. Please do not misunderstand, 'The Godfather' has inspired millions of criminals, hell probably not as many as 'Mein Kampf', but my gripe is not with the author, my gripe is with America. After finishing it, even with Cary Hite's briliant performance, this is not a thing that I could get behind. This book inspired the likes of Ice Cube and Ice Tee, Dave Chappelle referenced it brilliantly in latest stand up, so I was very interested to see why. I'm blown away at how someone could read this story and say 'Yeah, this could be me.' I worry about consciousness of my people that we would lift up this lifestyle. This tale, not only highlights many of the problems within the black community (addiction, drugs, petty grievances, white oppression, implied lack of parental figures), but it may glorify a lifestyle that is responsible for a lot of pain, personal pain according to this memoir. bothers me that this book has become a lifestyle guide for so many black celebrities. I really thought he was going to kill that guy The moment he saw his Mom's suitors from back in the day. Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you? Have you listened to any of Cary Hite’s other performances before? How does this one compare? If you could sum up Pimp in three words, what would they be?Ĭandy was my favorite character dumb, pretty, got OUT the game. Though it is a tale of his times, it will remain current and true for as long as there is a race bias, as long as there is a street life, as long as there is exploitation. This is the heyday of the pimp, the hard-won pride and glory, small though it may be the beginnings of pimp before it was dragged in front of the camera, before pimp juice and pimp style. If you thought Hustle & Flow was the true pimp story, this book is where it all began. Only Slim could tell this story and make the reader feel it. By telling the story of one man’s struggles and triumphs in an underground world, Pimp shows us the game doesn’t change it just has a different swagger. It is a trip through hell by the one man who lived to tell the tale-the dangers of jail, addiction, and death that are still all too familiar for today’s Black community. As real as you can get without jumping in, this is the story of Iceberg Slim’s life as he saw, felt, tasted, and smelled it. What Sun Tzu’s Art of War was to ancient China, Pimp is to the streets.

Iceberg slim pimp