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Book Cover for: Decoded, Jay-Z

Decoded

Jay-Z

Reader Score

80%

80% of readers

recommend this book

Decoded is a book like no other: a collection of lyrics and their meanings that together tell the story of a culture, an art form, a moment in history, and one of the most provocative and successful artists of our time.

Praise for Decoded

"Compelling . . . provocative, evocative . . . Part autobiography, part lavishly illustrated commentary on the author's own work, Decoded gives the reader a harrowing portrait of the rough worlds Jay-Z navigated in his youth, while at the same time deconstructing his lyrics."--Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

"One of a handful of books that just about any hip hop fan should own."--The New Yorker

"Elegantly designed, incisively written . . . an impressive leap by a man who has never been known for small steps."--Los Angeles Times

"A riveting exploration of Jay-Z's journey . . . So thoroughly engrossing, it reads like a good piece of cultural journalism."--The Boston Globe

"Shawn Carter's most honest airing of the experiences he drew on to create the mythic figure of Jay-Z . . . The scenes he recounts along the way are fascinating."--Entertainment Weekly

"Hip-hop's renaissance man drops a classic. . . . Heartfelt, passionate and slick."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Book Details

  • Publisher: One World
  • Publish Date: Nov 1st, 2011
  • Pages: 352
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 9.40in - 7.60in - 0.90in - 2.10lb
  • EAN: 9780812981155
  • Categories: MusicCultural & RegionalGenres & Styles - Rap & Hip Hop

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About the Author

Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) is one of the most successful hip-hop artists and entrepreneurs of all time.

Praise for this book

"Compelling . . . provocative, evocative . . . Part autobiography, part lavishly illustrated commentary on the author's own work, Decoded gives the reader a harrowing portrait of the rough worlds Jay-Z navigated in his youth, while at the same time deconstructing his lyrics."--Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

"One of a handful of books that just about any hip hop fan should own."--The New Yorker

"Elegantly designed, incisively written . . . an impressive leap by a man who has never been known for small steps."--Los Angeles Times

"A riveting exploration of Jay-Z's journey . . . So thoroughly engrossing, it reads like a good piece of cultural journalism."--The Boston Globe

"Shawn Carter's most honest airing of the experiences he drew on to create the mythic figure of Jay-Z . . . The scenes he recounts along the way are fascinating."--Entertainment Weekly

"Hip-hop's renaissance man drops a classic. . . . Heartfelt, passionate and slick."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)