num_pages: 317
description: Decoded is a book like no 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 DecodedCompelling . . . provocative evocative . . . Part autobiography part lavishly illustrated commentary on the authors 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 TimesOne 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-Zs journey . . . So thoroughly engrossing it reads like a good piece of cultural journalism.  The Boston Globe Shawn Carters 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-hops renaissance man drops a classic. . . . Heartfelt passionate and slick.  Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
language: English
title: Decoded
publisher: One World