{"product_id":"didnt-we-almost-have-it-all-in-defense-of-whitney-houston-paperback","title":"Didn't We Almost Have It All: In Defense of Whitney Houston - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eGerrick Kennedy\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eBrandy\u003c\/b\u003e (Foreword by)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA brilliant, soulful, and deeply necessary exploration of \"The Voice\"--featuring a poignant foreword by Grammy Award-winning artist and Houston's protégé, Brandy.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eDidn't We Almost Have It All\u003c\/i\u003e, Gerrick Kennedy strips away the tabloid sensationalism that has long overshadowed the artistry of Whitney Houston. He presents a technical, cultural, and emotional defense of a woman who was more than a tragic figure; she was a pioneer of Black excellence and the blueprint for the modern pop superstar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe book is anchored by an intimate foreword by Brandy, who reflects on Houston's role as her mentor and \"Fairy Godmother.\" Writing with the same vulnerability and insight found in her own book, \u003ci\u003ePhases\u003c\/i\u003e, Brandy offers a rare, firsthand look at the woman behind the icon, honoring the vocal mastery and personal kindness that Houston extended to the next generation of artists.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKennedy provides a comprehensive reexamination of Houston's legacy, focusing on: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe Architect of Pop: \u003c\/b\u003e A deep dive into the precision of Houston's vocal mechanics and how she fundamentally altered the sound of American music.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe \"Crossover\" Myth: \u003c\/b\u003e A critical look at the pressures Houston faced while navigating the intersection of R\u0026amp;B and Pop, and the racial politics of 1980s and '90s stardom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCultural Reclamation: \u003c\/b\u003e Moving beyond the \"diva\" tropes to celebrate a woman who redefined what was possible for Black women in global media.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMore than a biography, \u003ci\u003eDidn't We Almost Have It All\u003c\/i\u003e is a rigorous work of music criticism and a vital love letter to an American icon. It ensures that when we speak of Whitney Houston, we center the incomparable power of her voice and the enduring light of her influence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe New Yorker \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eThe Washington Post \u003c\/i\u003eboth selected \u003ci\u003eDidn't We Almost Have It All \u003c\/i\u003eas a best book. It's a must-read for all fans of Whitney Houston.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGerrick Kennedy\u003c\/b\u003e is an award-winning journalist, cultural critic, and author. He is the author of \u003ci\u003eParental Discretion Is Advised: The Rise of N.W.A and the Dawn of Gangsta Rap\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eDidn't We Almost Have It All: In Defense of Whitney Houston, \u003c\/i\u003eand he collaborated with R\u0026amp;B icon Brandy on her #1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebestselling memoir\u003ci\u003e Phases.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKennedy's work focuses on the intersection of music, pop culture, and identity. A long-time writer for the \u003ci\u003eLos Angeles Times\u003c\/i\u003e, he has profiled many of the most influential figures in music, including Kendrick Lamar, Mariah Carey, Drake, and Brandy. His reporting and cultural commentary have been featured on \u003ci\u003eThe Today Show\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eDateline\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003e20\/20\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eCNN\u003c\/i\u003e. In 2012, he was named Emerging Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), and he continues to be a leading voice in music criticism, known for centering the nuance of the Black experience and the technical mastery of iconic performers. He lives in Los Angeles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 320\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.83 x 8.27 x 5.56 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e April 18, 2023\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53098987552992,"sku":"9781419752971","price":20.16,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0811\/5909\/4496\/files\/of48D78slu9781419752971.webp?v=1781700503","url":"https:\/\/improvedinc.myshopify.com\/products\/didnt-we-almost-have-it-all-in-defense-of-whitney-houston-paperback","provider":"Improved Improper Input Inc.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}