Decoded

Description: This is the intimate, first-person chronicle of the life and work of Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter in Brooklyn\'s notorious Marcy Projects, now known to many as the greatest rapper alive. Told through lyrics, images and personal narrative, Decoded shares the story of Jay-Z\'s life through the 10 codes that define him, giving an unparalleled insight into his background, influences and the artistic process that shapes his work. Each chapter features a highly personal narrative section followed by a visually captivating selection of his most famous and provocative lyrics underlining the chapter\'s themes, along with Jay-Z\'s own \'decoding\' of each lyric, uncovering the wordplay and stories behind the song. This is a brilliant insight into the art and poetry of hip-hop, as well as the life of one of the genre\'s greatest artists.

Klappentext:

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)

Rezension:

"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)