@jjonthemic I am glad to see Jay Z getting folks to read a book! I am however wondering if he is gonna keep rereleasing this book with extra pages…lol…it’s like a remix right?
VIA Statepress.com
Ask any fashionista, fan of music or member of the media what the name Jay-Z means to them and you’re likely to field an array of responses. The short name can be said in an instant, yet merely hearing the genre-altering rapper’s moniker paints a vivid picture in the minds of many.
For as well as we know Jay-Z through his brilliant hooks, lyrical mastery and influence on the music industry as we know it, the man behind the albums has always remained a bit of a mystery.
as simply that of a man with a dream. In the memoir, the 41-year-old rapper is the teller of one of the greatest rags-to-riches tales ever heard. It is a glimpse into the masterful mind of Jay-Z, replete with stories of his turbulent youth, his rise to fame and “decodings” of some of his most iconic — and controversial — lyrics.
One of Jay-Z’s most recognizable songs is the immensely popular “99 Problems,” which features the line, “I don’t know what you take me as / Or understand the intelligence that Jay-Z has.”
If nothing else, “Decoded” is just that: a compelling look into the sheer brilliance of Shawn Carter.
Fortunately, the book is much more than that; it is part memoir, part commentary on both society and the world of hip-hop and part deconstruction of the true intent behind some of Jay-Z’s most influential songs. From a literary standpoint, it is one of the most entertaining reads to be had, whether you are a fan of rap music or not.
The content hits nearly every person on such a visceral level that it’s nearly impossible to ignore. The way Carter delves into the details of his harrowing days as a drug-dealing hustler is done with a realism that is impossible to fabricate.
“This is what the streets have done for us, for me,” he wrote. “They’ve given us our drive; they’ve made us stronger. Through hip-hop we found a way to redeem those lessons, and use them to change the world.”
“Decoded” hits on a variety of topics, covering everything from Jay-Z’s support of Barack Obama to his views on organized religion to the emotions of experiencing the murders of some of his closest friends. The stories told are recounted with great attention to detail and a very conversational tone; it’s almost as if you’re sitting in a room with Jay-Z, listening to an intimate description of the history of one of the world’s biggest stars.
While the book is indeed relevant for readers of any background, fans of hip-hop will not be disappointed. Jay-Z eloquently talks about rappers and artists that inspired him and describes how he went from being a hustler on the streets of Brooklyn to his place on top of the rap game.
“The beauty of hip-hop is that … it found its story in the story of the hustler. But that’s not the only story. At this point, it’s a tool that can be used to find the truth in anything,” he wrote. “I’m still rhyming — not about hustling in the same way I rhymed about it in my first album, but about the same underlying quest.”
As far as autobiographical works of musicians go, “Decoded” sets the new gold standard. It is a truly captivating story of a man that created a new life for himself while still embracing his core principles. The book is a detailed, 323-page account of the life of Shawn Carter with humanistic qualities behind every word penned that bring an inspirational air to the work.
“I never had to reject Shawn Carter to become Jay-Z,” wrote Carter. “Shawn Carter’s life lives in Jay’s rhymes —transformed, of course: Flesh and blood became words, ideas, metaphors, fantasies, and jokes. But those two characters come together through the rhymes, become whole again. The multitude is contained. It’s a powerful magic.”
