Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood is Trevor Noah’s autobiography, published in 2016. It tells the story of his early years growing up in South Africa during and after apartheid. The title comes from the fact that his birth—he had a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss-German father—was literally considered a crime under apartheid laws that banned interracial relationships at the time. The book is a mix of humor and tough truths. Much of it focuses on Trevor’s relationship with his mother, Patricia, who plays a huge role in his life. She’s portrayed as tough, religious, and fiercely independent—someone who dragged him to multiple church services every week, even during times of violence and unrest. Her strong influence shapes his character, often through strict discipline and sharp lessons about right and wrong. Trevor shares stories from his childhood that range from funny to intense. There’s a scene where his mother throws him out of a moving minibus to save him from a potentially dangerous driver. He also talks about using his talent for languages to navigate different cultural groups in South Africa, and how he hustled by selling bootleg CDs to make money. But not all his stories are light—he describes living with his abusive stepfather, Abel, whose violence culminated in him shooting Trevor’s mother, though she miraculously survived. Despite the heavy topics—racism, poverty, domestic abuse—Noah’s storytelling is funny, honest, and full of warmth. The book gives a personal look at how apartheid shaped everyday life but also highlights the resilience of his family, especially his mother. The memoir was widely praised, becoming a bestseller and earning spots on numerous “best of the year” lists. It struck a chord with readers around the world, and even inspired figures like U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and First Lady Jill Biden, who assigned it as reading for her English class. A film adaptation is in the works, with Lupita Nyong’o set to play Trevor’s mother and co-produce the project.

Long Walk to Freedom is an autobiography by South Africa's first democratically elected President Nelson Mandela, and it was first published in 1994 by Little Brown & Co. The book profiles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years spent in prison If you're new to South African history, as I was, this is a great starting point. Why not hear from the man who played a key part in it?

From Chappelle show to his stand up, funny af 😂

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Adele is an English singer and songwriter from London, born on May 5, 1988. She’s known for her powerful voice and emotional songs, often about love and heartbreak. She started singing as a child and graduated from the BRIT School for Performing Arts in 2006. Soon after, she signed with XL Recordings and released her debut album, 19, in 2008. It included hits like “Chasing Pavements” and “Make You Feel My Love,” earning her the Grammy for Best New Artist. Her second album, 21 (2011), was a massive success worldwide, featuring tracks like “Rolling in the Deep,” “Someone Like You,” and “Set Fire to the Rain.” Inspired by a breakup, it struck a chord with listeners and became the best-selling album of the 21st century. Her third album, 25 (2015), carried on her tradition of naming albums after her age and included the hit “Hello.” Her most recent album, 30 (2021), reflects on her divorce and personal growth. Adele has a soulful, smoky voice and often sings ballads, blending pop, soul, and blues. She’s won numerous awards, including 16 Grammys, an Oscar for her James Bond theme “Skyfall,” and a Golden Globe. Despite her global fame, she’s known for being down-to-earth and humorous. She was married to Simon Konecki, with whom she has a son, but they divorced in 2021. Adele is currently engaged to sports agent Rich Paul. Over the years, she’s taken breaks between albums to focus on her personal life. She recently announced plans to step away from music for a while after finishing her concert residency in Las Vegas.

Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III on October 17, 1972, is an American rapper, songwriter, and producer. He grew up in Detroit, Michigan, bouncing between homes with his mother, Debbie Nelson, after his father abandoned the family when Eminem was a baby. His early life was rough—poverty, bullying, and moving from place to place. Music became his outlet. At first, he wanted to be a comic book artist, but hip-hop pulled him in. He started rapping as a teenager, performing in local clubs and freestyle battles in Detroit. Back then, he adopted the name "MC Double M" before eventually settling on "Eminem" (from his initials "M&M"). His early work, like the 1996 album Infinite, went largely unnoticed, and he struggled to support his young daughter, Hailie Jade. But things changed with his 1997 Slim Shady EP, where he introduced his alter ego, Slim Shady—a character through which he expressed anger, humor, and dark storytelling. In 1999, Dr. Dre of N.W.A fame signed Eminem to Aftermath Entertainment. That same year, The Slim Shady LP dropped and took off, known for its raw lyrics and twisted humor. Eminem's follow-up albums, The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) and The Eminem Show (2002), catapulted him to global fame. His songs often blended personal struggles with sharp, satirical jabs at celebrities and politicians. Tracks like "Stan," "The Real Slim Shady," and "Without Me" became staples of early-2000s music. Eminem's fame wasn’t without controversy. Critics called out his lyrics for being offensive, but others praised his lyrical skill and raw honesty. He often rapped about his turbulent relationship with his ex-wife, Kim Scott, his love for his daughter, and his battles with addiction. Despite backlash, he won multiple Grammys and even nabbed an Oscar for "Lose Yourself," the theme from 8 Mile—a semi-autobiographical film where he played an aspiring rapper struggling to break through in Detroit. After Encore (2004), Eminem stepped back from music, dealing with addiction and the death of his close friend and fellow rapper, Proof. He returned in 2009 with Relapse, followed by Recovery (2010), which reflected on his journey toward sobriety. Albums like The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013), Revival (2017), Kamikaze (2018), and Music to Be Murdered By (2020) showcased his evolving style, balancing introspection with the rapid-fire wordplay he's known for. Eminem’s influence is hard to overstate. He broke racial barriers in a genre dominated by Black artists and opened doors for future white rappers, all while remaining respected in the hip-hop community for his technical skill. He’s had his fair share of feuds with other artists—Ja Rule, Machine Gun Kelly, and Benzino, to name a few—but he’s also mentored acts like 50 Cent and worked closely with Dr. Dre. Beyond music, Eminem’s ventured into acting (8 Mile), launched his own label (Shady Records), and opened a restaurant called Mom’s Spaghetti in Detroit—named after a lyric from "Lose Yourself." Though he’s had a rocky personal life, including struggles with addiction and family drama, he’s been sober since 2008 and continues to release music that reflects both his personal growth and unfiltered attitude. In 2022, Eminem was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, marking over two decades of impact on music and culture. Even now, well into his fifties, he keeps releasing chart-topping albums and singles, proving he’s still got it. For many, Eminem’s music is a blend of humor, pain, and razor-sharp lyricism—a reflection of a man who’s faced his demons and isn’t afraid to talk about them.