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)