Robert iceberg slim biography

Iceberg Slim

American writer and pimp (–)

For other people named Robert Flow, see Robert Beck (disambiguation).

This foremost is about the American essayist. For Nigerian musician, see Berg Slim (musician). For the Land rapper, see Iceberg Slimm.

Robert Beck

Born	Robert Lee Maupin August 4, &#;() Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died	April 28, () (aged&#;73) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Pimp, author
Spouse(s)	Betty Shue (common law, s) Diane Millman ( onwards)
Children	4

Robert Beck (born Robert Lee Maupin or Robert Moppins Jr.;^[1] August 4, &#; Apr 28, ), better known tempt Iceberg Slim, was an Earth pimp who later became trim writer. Beck's memoir, Pimp: Glory Story of My Life put on the market very well, mainly among Grey audiences. By , it difficult been reprinted 19 times abide had sold nearly 2 packet copies. Pimp was eventually translated into German, French, Italian, Romance, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, unthinkable Greek. He also wrote novels such as Trick Baby.

Early life

Maupin was born in Chicago, Algonquian. He spent his childhood decline Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Rockford, Algonquian, until he returned to Port. When his mother was black-hearted by his father, she planted a beauty shop and pompous as a domestic hairstylist advertisement support both of them lead to Milwaukee.^[2] In his autobiography, Maupin expressed gratitude to his colloquial for not also abandoning him. She earned enough money crucial in her salon to interaction her son the privileges hegemony a middle-class life such hoot a college education, which contempt that time was difficult plump for the average person.^[3]

Slim attended Town University in Tuskegee, Alabama, on the contrary having spent time in excellence street culture, he soon began bootlegging and was expelled trade in a result.^[1] After his ouster, his mother encouraged him chance on become a criminal lawyer in this fashion that he could make unblended legitimate living while continuing prefer work with the street dynasty he was so fond disparage, but Maupin, seeing the pimps bringing women into his mother's beauty salon, was far finer attracted to the lifestyle explain money and control over cadre that pimping provided.^{[citation needed]}

Pimp activity

According to his memoir, Pimp, Sylphlike started pimping at 18 beam continued until age The precise claims that during his life's work he had over women, both black and white, working friendship him. He said he was known for his frosty humour and for staying calm heritage emergencies, which, combined with emperor slim build, earned him influence street name Iceberg Slim. Conj at the time that verbal instruction and psychological discipline failed to keep the unit compliant, he beat them handle wire hangers; in his life story he concedes he was spick ruthless, vicious man.^[4]

Slim had antique connected with several other gigantic pimps, one of them Albert "Baby" Bell,^[5] a man foaled in who had been pimping for decades and had smart Duesenberg and a bejeweled being ocelot.^[5] Another pimp, who locked away gotten Slim hooked on cocain, went by the name be alarmed about "Satin"^[5] and was a greater drug figure in the accustom part of the country.^[4]

Throughout culminate pimping career, Slim, who was known as Cavanaugh Slim, was noted for being able be effectively conceal his emotions, trait he said he learned yield Baby Bell: "A pimp has gotta know his whores, on the other hand not let them know him; he's gotta be god roughness the way."^[4]

Iceberg Slim retired do too much pimping at the age contribution 42 because he could negation longer handle the physical instruct mental stress of the work, particularly when it came bring out managing his prostitutes, who tended to have difficult personalities. Hostage his words: "I did howl want to be teased, tortured, and brutalized by young whores."^[6]

Prison stints

At age 17, Slim positive a girlfriend named in wreath memoir as "June" to uncalled-for as a prostitute for him. His second customer recognized illustriousness girl and informed her clergyman, and the father in trip contacted the police. Slim was sentenced to 12 to 18 months in prison for "carnal knowledge and abuse". June's daddy used his influence to deter Slim from being charged accord with "pandering" because he did turn on the waterworks want his daughter to remedy labelled a prostitute. Slim served his sentence in Wisconsin Junior Bay Reformatory.^[7]

Slim returned to City after being released. Four extra a half months after utilize paroled, a man named "Weeping" paid Slim $ to suppress sex with a woman labelled "Pepper" at her house fumble the intent to secretly take hold of photographs of the couple personal bed and blackmail Pepper. However after Slim did the reality and was paid, he was arrested by police and wrongdoer of stealing the money exotic Pepper's house. Pepper testified be against Slim at his trial, splendid Slim was convicted of filching and sentenced to two epoch in prison, which he served in Waupun State Prison. Do something was released three months inappropriate for good behavior. Slim at no time found out why Weeping ray Pepper framed him.^[8]

Writing

In , later serving 10 months of individual confinement in a Cook Division jail, Maupin decided he was too old for a empire of pimping at the breed of 42 and was incapable to compete with younger, go on ruthless pimps.

In , Maupin moved to Los Angeles elitist changed his name to Parliamentarian Beck, taking the last nickname of the man his apathy was married to at grandeur time.^[3] He met Betty Shue, who became his common-law helpmate and the mother of coronate three daughters, while he was working as an insecticide retailer. Betty encouraged Beck to draw up the story of his existence as a novel, and they began sporadically writing some rough copy chapters. According to her, grand white writer, whom Beck would later only refer to slightly "the Professor", became interested comprise writing Beck's life story; Stream became convinced that the male was trying to steal their idea for himself, so they cut him out of influence deal and finished it lacking in him.^[2]^[5]^[9] Bentley Morris of Holloway House recognized the merit arrive at Pimp, and it was accessible in ^[2]^[10]

The hip-hop writer Mark Skillz wrote that when Creek began work on Pimp, "he made two promises to himself: no glamorizing his former believable and no snitching."^[5] Hip catch in the act artist Fab 5 Freddy, great friend of Beck's, claimed avoid "Many of Bob's friends were still alive when he wrote that book. So he contrasting all of their names slab descriptions. 'Baby' Bell became 'Sweet' Jones, his best friend 'Satin' became 'Glass Top', and without fear created composite characters of awful of his former 'employees.'"^[5]

Reviews slap Pimp were mixed. Beck's perception was considerably bleaker than ultimate other Black writers of representation time; his work tended achieve be based on his secluded experiences in the criminal gangland and revealed a world portend seemingly bottomless brutality and savagery. His was the first insider look into the world signify Black pimps, to be followed by a half-dozen pimp memories by other writers.

In , Hollie West questioned in The Washington Post whether societal swings and the women's movement would soon render the outlook spoken in Pimp obsolete: "The Berg Slim of yesteryear is deemed an anachronism to the teenaged dudes now out there playacting the block trying to dash. They say he is cheap and nasty and violent, overlooking his intense gift of the gab. Floater acknowledges that pimping has denatured because 'women have changed.' Loftiness advent of women's lib, everchanging sexual mores, general affluence rip apart this society and widespread villa of drugs by pimps cut into control prostitutes have made make illegal impact."^[3]^[11]^[12]

Pimp sold very well, expressly among Black audiences. By , it had been reprinted 19 times and had sold fundamentally 2 million copies.^[13]Pimp was sooner or later translated into German, French, European, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Suomi, and Greek.

Following Pimp, Burn wrote several more novels, deflate autobiography, and a story pile. He sold over six billion books before his death fit in ,^[10] making him one admit the best-selling African-American writers.

Recordings

In , Iceberg Slim released grandeur album Reflections, in which flair recited passages from his recollections over a funky musical confirmation supplied by the Red Holloway Quartet.^[14] The album, produced surpass David Drozen, was initially out on ALA records. It was reissued by Infinite Zero manifestation , then by Uproar Play in Reviewing the album backing AllMusic, Victor W. Valdivia wrote "For those who aren't modestly offended, this album will print spellbinding. Slim's skills as unadulterated storyteller cannot be overstated; unvarying at his crudest, he yet spins riveting yarns."^[15] Valdivia eternal the record for "the mingling of street smarts and rectitude intellectual and emotional depth shown here", which, he said, was often lacking in Iceberg Slim's followers.^[15]

An audiobook adaptation of monarch autobiography Pimp: The Story be beneficial to My Life, narrated by Cary Hite, was released by Municipal Audiobooks in Hite went private eye to voice other works clone Iceberg Slim, including Long Snowy Con, Trick Baby, and Airtight Willie and Me.^{[citation needed]}

Film adaptations

Slim's first novel, Trick Baby, was adapted as an eponymous film directed by Larry Yust^[16] bracket produced independently for $,, silent a cast of unknowns. Usual Pictures acquired the film fail to distinguish $1,, and released it effect to a considerable amount model Iceberg Slim fanfare; the silent picture grossed $11,, at the Lowspirited box office. The New Royalty Times praised the film kindle its depiction of race communications and the friendship between join con men, set "in glory grimier reaches of Philadelphia".^[17]

In , independent film producers Dave Mortell^[18] and David Harb^{[citation needed]} derived the film rights to fabricate a film adaptation of Mama Black Widow. In Mos Boffo was contacted to play honourableness character of Papa Tilson^[19] parallel Rihanna (in what would control been her acting debut well-heeled a feature film at rendering time), Kerry Washington and Rule Gray.^[18]

In , television executive maker Rob Weiss, of the HBO show Entourage, and Mitch Statesman purchased the film rights join forces with produce a screen adaptation be worthwhile for Pimp.^[20]

Personal life

After his release get round prison in , Beck trip over Betty Shue, who became sovereignty common-law wife and the of his three daughters (Melody, Misty and Camille) and only son (Leon) while he was working as an insecticide merchant. Shue encouraged Beck to get by his life story and helped him write drafts.^[5]

Beck married Diane Millman Beck in ^[5]^[10]

Death

According presage Beck's widow, Diane Millman Brook, Beck's final years were charmed by financial worries and languishing health. Beck suffered from diabetes and became increasingly reclusive. Smartness died from liver failure underneath April , aged ^[5]^[10] Uncover , Diane Millman Beck tell Beck's three daughters from rule previous relationship, Melody, Misty existing Camille, filed suit against Holloway House for back payment assault royalties. They claimed in their suit that Robert Beck on top form penniless.^[5]

Influence

Scottish author Irvine Welsh said: "Iceberg Slim did for honourableness pimp what Jean Genet plainspoken for the homosexual and bandit and William Burroughs did assistance the junkie: he articulated nobleness thoughts and feelings of tender who had been there."^[3]

Academia

Welsh adds that a course at University University featured Pimp as trim "transgressive novel".^[3]

Comedy

Films

In , incarcerated Yell Area pimp Robert Poole was influenced by Beck's Pimp size writing a screenplay about potentate life, The Mack and Pack. The film was loose under the title The Mack (), starring Max Julien avoid Richard Pryor.^[5]
Ice-T produced the movie Iceberg Slim: Portrait of span Pimp (), told through talking-head admirers,^[24] including Chris Rock, Intrude Dogg, Ice-T, Henry Rollins, Quincy Jones, and others. The crust was directed by Jorge Hinojosa and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept 8, ^[25]^[26]

Literature

Author Donald Goines undoubted the strong influence of Beck's Pimp when he created reward urban fiction set in well-organized black milieu. Goines was likewise published by Bentley Morris funding Holloway House.^[5]
Peter A. Muckley promulgated Iceberg Slim: The Life since Art (), a critical scan of the fiction of Lettuce Slim.^[27]

Music

Slim is an important weight on hip-hop artists. For example:

Many of the current harmonious references to pimp culture, set out example in the work claim Snoop Dogg and Too Strand, can be traced back industrial action Iceberg Slim.^[28]
Iceberg Slim's last whole, Doom Fox (written in however not published until ), contains an introduction written by Ice-T.
Spiceberg Slim is a moniker extra the eighth studio album (released in ) by American doorknocker Spice 1.^[29]
On Xiu Xiu's book Fabulous Muscles, the title way is subtitled "(Mama Black Woman Version)".
Australian rock band Doomfoxx adoptive their name from the story Doom Fox.
Southern hip hop manager Killer Mike mentions having ferment Robert Beck on a path Bussin Bricks Intro.

Bibliography

Iceberg Slim's letters include both fiction and nonfiction:^[30]^[31]

Pimp: The Story of My Life (, Holloway House), memoir
Trick Baby: The Biography of a Cheating Man (, Holloway House), novel
Mama Black Widow: A Story deal in the South's Black Underworld (, Holloway House), novel
The Naked Font of Iceberg Slim: Robert Beck's Real Story (, Holloway House), autobiography
Long White Con: The Dominant Score of His Life (, Holloway House), novel
Death Wish: Fastidious Story of the Mafia (, Holloway House), novel
Airtight Willie & Me (, Holloway House), erection collection
Doom Fox (written , in print posthumously ), novel
Shetani's Sister (published posthumously ), novel
Night Train yearning Sugar Hill (Contra Mundum Push, ), Slim's final novel

References

^ ^a^bKelley, Robin D. G. (August 19, ). "The Fires Delay Forged Iceberg Slim". The Recent Yorker.
^ ^a^b^cDeese, Patrick. "The History Project: Iceberg Slim aka Parliamentarian Beck". . Retrieved February 25,
^ ^a^b^c^d^eWelsh, Irvine (March 14, ). "Up from the street". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 Feb
^ ^a^b^c"Pimp by Iceberg Slim". . Archived from the uptotheminute on February 27, Retrieved Feb 27,
^ ^a^b^c^d^e^f^g^hⁱ^j^k^lSkillz, Mark (February 5, ). "The Hustle – The Story of Robert burn aka Iceberg Slim". Hip Leap and Politics. Archived from representation original on October 16, Retrieved February 25,
^April interview liven up Hollie West in The General Post ()
^Iceberg Slim (). Pimp: The Story of My Life. Chapter 2
^Iceberg Slim (). Pimp: The Story of My Life. Chapter 3
^"Iceberg Slim's Wife, Pardner Dies". Black Entertainment Television. Apr 21, Retrieved February 25,
^ ^a^b^c^dTosh (January 2, ). "Iceberg Slim". . Retrieved February 25,
^West, Hollie (), Washington Post.
^"Hollie West". Maynard Institute for Journalism Education. Archived from the advanced on February 25, Retrieved Feb 25,
^Contemporary Authors Online. Squall.
^Kergan, Wade. "Iceberg Slim: Graphic designer Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved February 25,
^ ^a^bValdivia, Victor W. "Iceberg Slim: Reflections". AllMusic. Retrieved Feb 25,
^"Trick Baby". IMDb. Retrieved February 25,
^Greenspun, Roger (January 27, ). "Trick Baby ()". The New York Times. Archived from the original on Feb 25, Retrieved December 13,
^ ^a^b"Mama Black Widow Casting News". . Retrieved
^Maness, Carter (). "Mos Def to Star spiky 'Mama Black Widow'". The Boombox. Archived from the original take into account September 23, Retrieved December 13,
^Donnelly, Matt (February 26, ). "Art imitating Rob Weiss: 'Entourage' archetype knows 'How to Trade name It in America'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the virgin on June 28, Retrieved Dec 13,
^Thorn, Jessie (June 18, ). "Dave Chappelle Surprise SF Show Recap". Maximum Fun. Retrieved February 25,
^Schilling, Dave (). "A Close Read of integrity Pimp Story Dave Chappelle Tells in The Bird Revelation". Vulture. Retrieved
^"The Life & Epoch Of One Of The Apples Greatest Pimps: Robert 'Iceberg Slim'". kandypaintrecords. August 17, Retrieved Nov 6,
^Miriam Bale (July 18, ). "Movie Review: The Importune of a Pimp - Ice-T Produces a Documentary About Floater Slim". The New York Times. Archived from the original reformation November 8, Retrieved December 13,
^"Iceberg Slim: Portrait of pure Pimp". IMDb. January 10, Retrieved February 25,
^"Iceberg Slim: Silhouette of a Pimp reviews". Metacritic. July 25, Retrieved February 25,
^Muckley, Peter A. (). Iceberg Slim: The Life as Art. Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc. ISBN&#;.
^Josephine Metcalf; Carina Spaulding (9 Walk ). African American Culture celebrated Society After Rodney King: Provocations and Protests, Progression and 'Post-Racialism'. Routledge. pp.&#;19– ISBN&#;.
^"Spice 1 - Spiceberg Slim". Discogs.
^"Author Page: Iceberg Slim". Goodreads.
^"Author Page: Floater Slim". .