Decoded

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.“Hip-hop’s renaissance man drops a classic. . . . Heartfelt, passionate and slick.”— Kirkus, starred review Decoded ... 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--dust Jacket. Part 1. One Eye Open -- The Revolutionary T-shirt -- Public Service Announcement (the Black Album) -- American Dreamin' (american Gangster) -- Early This Morning (unreleased) -- Honor Among Predators -- Coming Of Age (reasonable Doubt) -- Coming Of Age (da Sequel) (vol. 2 ... Hard Knock Life) -- D'evils (reasonable Doubt) -- Negative Space -- 99 Problems (the Black Album) -- Ignorant Shit (american Gangster) -- Part 2. I Will Not Lose -- Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Star -- Most Kings (unreleased) -- Success (american Gangster) -- Renegade (the Blueprint) -- Can I Live? (reasonable Doubt) -- Balling And Falling -- Fallin' (american Gangster) -- Big Pimpin' (vol. 3 ... Life And Times Of S. Carter) -- Streets Is Watching (in My Lifetime, Vol. 1) -- Beat The System Before It Beats You -- Operation Corporate Takeover (mix Tape Freestyle) -- Moment Of Clarity (the Black Album) -- A Stern Discipline -- Breathe Easy (lyrical Exercise) (the Blueprint) -- My 1st Song (the Black Album) -- Part 3. Politics As Usual -- White America -- Young Gifted And Black (s. Carter Collection) -- Hell Yeah (pimp The System) (revolutionary But Gangsta) -- Ears Wide Open -- Beware (jay-z Remix) (beware) -- Blue Magic (american Gangster) -- Cautionary Tales -- This Life Forever (black Gangster) -- Meet The Parents (the Bluprint2: The Lift & The Curse) -- Where I'm From (in My Lifetime, Vol. 1) -- Funeral Parade -- Minority Report (kingdom Come) -- Dynasty (intro) (the Dynasty: Roc La Familia) -- My President Is Black (unreleased) -- Part 4. Come And Get Me -- The Voice In Your Head Is Right -- Regrets (reasonable Doubt) -- This Can't Be Life (the Dynasty: Roc La Familia) -- Soon You'll Understand (the Dynasty: Roc La Familia) -- Instant Karma -- Beach Chair (kingdom Come) -- Lucifer (the Black Album) -- Our Life -- December 4th (the Black Album) -- History (unreleased). Jay-z. 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 Decoded Compelling . . . 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 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-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) 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) The controversial hip-hop artist presents the story of his life and career through lyrics, images, and a personal narrative that also offers insight into his creative process.