Nelson George serves as host of Soul Cities, a travel show that debuted in November 2008. on VH1 Soul. Nelson visited Los Angeles, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Memphis, New Orleans and the Bay Area. He eats food, visits historic sites, and hears lots of music. LaBelle, Robin Thicke, Babyface, Rafael Saadiq, Angie Stone and Jazmine Sullivan are among the many artists who talked with Nelson and perform. The second season starts shooting in Spring 2009.
Throughout the '80s and '90s George was an columnist for Billboard
magazine and the Village Voice newspaper, work that led him to write a
series of award winning black music histories: 'Where Did Our Love Go:
The Rise and Fall of the Motown Sound'; 'The Death of Rythm &
Blues'; and 'Hip Hop America'. He won a Grammy for his contribution to
the linear notes package on the James Brown 'Star Time' boxed set.
George co-wrote 'Life and Def', the autobiography of his old friend
Russell Simmons. He's also had a career writing fiction, including the
bestselling 'One Woman Short', and the story, 'It's Never Too Late in
New York', which has been in several anthologies of erotica.
As a screenwriter George co-wrote 'Strictly Business', which starred
Halle Berry, and 'CB4', a vehicle for Chris Rock. His work with Rock
led to his involvement with 'The Chris Rock Show',
an Emmy award winning HBO late night series. He was an executive
producer of Jim McKay's film, 'Everyday People', which premiered at the
Sundance festival, and Todd Williams' Peabody award winning documentary
'The N Word'. In 2009 Viking will publish his memoir, 'City Kid', a
look at the connections between childhood in Brooklyn and his adult
career in Manhattan, Los Angeles and Detroit.