Nelson George

Nelson George, born on September 1, 1957, is an accomplished American author, columnist, music and culture critic, journalist, and filmmaker. Known particularly for his poignant social commentary, George's career has spanned multiple decades starting in 1978. He was an intern at the New York Amsterdam News before working as a black music editor for Record World and serving as a music editor for Billboard magazine. His esteemed works include books such as 'Where Did Our Love Go: The Rise and Fall of the Motown Sound' and 'The Death of Rhythm & Blues' which further solidified his authority in the music critic space. He has been twice nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award, showing his impact not just in the music but literary realms. His keen observation of culture and society transcends into his film and television work. His five detective novels feature bodyguard-turned-private investigator D Hunter and have been optioned by rapper/actor Common. George co-wrote the Strictly Business in 1991 and co-created the movie CB4 starring comedian Chris Rock. In 2004, he made a short film called To Be a Black Man and a documentary titled A Great Day in Hip-Hop. He served as the co-executive producer of VH1's Hip Hop Honors show and Black Entertainment Network's American Gangster series. His directorial debut, Life Support, starring Queen Latifah, earned multiple awards. A resident of Fort Greene, Brooklyn, George continues to exercise his multifaceted creativity through his additional books and producing efforts.