Themes: Hi-Lo, urban nonfiction, music, entrepreneur, Hip-Hop, celebrities, biographies. Bad-boy Chris Brown signed with Jive records at age fifteen. "I hope I can be the next Michael Jackson," Brown said. His first album was an instant top-ten hit. Grammy nominations brought him even more attention. Billboard named Chris 2008's Artist of the Year. He maintained a low profile after his assault of then-girlfriend, Rihanna. But now he's back on top. There's no doubt about it, today's students listen to an average of 2.5 hours of music every day. Guess what they are listening to? Hip-hop is mainstream, continually topping Billboard's Hot 100 charts. These Hi-Lo biographies engage striving readers from the very beginning with blinged-out covers, stunning four-color photographs, modern and graphic page design, and high-interest informational text. Biographies highlight the unique characteristics of each mega-rapper, including childhood struggles, personal style, rivalries, giving back, and more. Each 48-page book includes a timeline and glossary, with vocabulary words highlighted throughout.