(NEWARK, NJ) -- From MTV trailblazer, stand-up comedian, and actor Bill Bellamy comes his hilariously candid memoir Top Billin': Stories of Laughter, Lessons, and Triumph (Amistad). Bellamy holds nothing back in this book that provides an intimate, entertaining, and heartfelt tour through the exclusive, elusive, and eternally iconic world of ‘90s pop culture. The Newark native will be at Newark Symphony Hall on Tuesday, April 25th for the official book signing of his hilarious candid memoir.
Bill Bellamy is an actor, stand-up comedian, and hip-hop icon who first gained national notoriety on HBO’s Russell Simmons’ “Def Comedy Jam.” For many years, Bellamy was a staple on MTV, and the host of several MTV programs including “MTV Jamz” and “MTV Beach House.”
Additionally, Bellamy hosted the NBC reality show “Last Comic Standing” and was a regular guest on the E! late night talk show “Chelsea Lately.” He also hosted his own highly successful show, “Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes on TV One” for five seasons. Moving into the acting space, Bellamy has stared in a number of movies including “Fled,” “Love Jones,” “The Brothers,” “How to Be a Player,” “Getting Played” and “Any Given Sunday.” He also stared alongside Ice Cube and Brandon T. Jackson in “Lottery Ticket.” On the TV side, he can be seen on the hit HBO show “Insecure,” and opposite Octavia Spencer in the Netflix series “Self-Made: Inspired by The Life of Madam C.J. Walker.” He starred in the Universal Pictures, “Kindergarten Cop 2,” and starred opposite Shemar Moore in the feature film “The Bounce Back.” Bellamy most recently wrapped for the highly anticipated comedy film “Back on The Strip,” where he plays Tyriq ‘Da Face’ Cox alongside co-stars Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart, J.B. Smoove, and Wesley Snipes.
Mr. Congeniality himself—Bellamy, the ‘90s favorite hype-man, is telling it all for the first time ever in his laugh-out-loud and touching memoir. Top Billin' delves into Bellamy’s remarkable journey of a guy who went against the grain and left a promising corporate career to pursue comedy (much to the dismay of his family) where making the leap paid off—in ways he never expected.
Top Billin' looks back at Bellamy’s time at MTV during the ‘90s, when the cable music channel was at the epicenter of pop culture. In it, Bellamy recounts his legendary interviews with the biggest pop stars—Tupac, Biggie, and Kurt Cobain—making friends with Janet Jackson, and even coining the infamous term “booty call” on HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam.” During his time at MTV, Bellamy broke color and class barriers, appearing four times a week on the network’s various programs, including “MTV Jamz” and “MTV Beach House.”
Brutally honest and incredibly relatable, Top Billin' leaves no stone unturned as Bellamy recounts memories, music, and unforgettable moments, including his conversations with some of the decade’s legendary artists, the best of the ‘90s celebri-tea, nostalgia, and insights on what it meant to be a tastemaker during one of the most exciting and innovative periods in music and American pop culture history.
In addition to his book, fans can catch Bellamy on his highly rated weekly podcast “Top Billin' with Bill Bellamy” featuring conversations with musicians, actors, athletes, and comedians to give listeners a candid view into Hollywood, current events, and the wide world of entertainment past and present. Bellamy most recently wrapped for the highly anticipated comedy film “Back on The Strip,” where he plays Tyriq ‘Da Face’ Cox alongside co-stars Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart, J.B. Smoove, and Wesley Snipes.
Tickets for the event at Newark Symphony Hall range from $25-$40 and are available for purchase online. Doors open at 5:30pm; VIP Meet & Greet starts at 6:00pm; and the event begins at 7:00pm. VIP Guests will have the opportunity to meet and take a photo with Bill Bellamy, receive a signed copy of "Top Billin': Stories of Laughter, Lessons, and Triumph", and get access to preferred seating. Newark Symphony Hall is located at 1020 Broad Street in Newark, New Jersey.
Born as the Salaam Temple in 1925, Newark Symphony Hall has been the home of almost a century of arts and culture in what is now New Jersey’s oldest and largest arts and entertainment venue. Shortly after our introduction into Newark’s cultural nightlife, the Salaam Temple – quickly nicknamed “The Mosque” by visitors who crossed our threshold – began to draw diverse audiences and became the epicenter of Brick City’s live entertainment scene.
The invention of talking pictures, vaudeville acts and symphony orchestras made way to include a robust cinema where audiences could enjoy the grandeur of the latest film in style. During the Great Depression, we survived the hardship of the economic downturn with new management determined to see the Mosque bolster the city’s spirit and embody her resilience. The Griffith Music Foundation, helmed by Lena Donaldson Griffith, owner of the Griffith Piano Company, recognized the power of the arts to foster our community and turned the Mosque into the powerhouse artists and entertainers of all backgrounds were eager to add to their tours.
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