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Decoded Paperback – November 1, 2011

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,896 ratings

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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)
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“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)

About the Author

Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) is one of the most successful hip-hop artists and entrepreneurs of all time.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ One World; 1st edition (November 1, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0812981154
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0812981155
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.34 x 0.85 x 9.14 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,896 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
1,896 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They appreciate the author's writing style that explains the meaning behind the lyrics. The book provides them with a deeper understanding of rap music and its history. Readers describe the visual quality as good, with beautiful artwork and an impressive internal layout. The story-telling aspect is also appreciated, with Jay-Z describing his life and the stories behind his lyrics.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

176 customers mention "Readability"167 positive9 negative

Customers find the book engaging and interesting. They say it's terrific for artists and entrepreneurs, especially those who want to be. The breakdown of lyrics is praised as valuable. Readers praise the outstanding photography and well-crafted autobiography.

"...This well crafted auto-biography in many ways runs parallel to his music in the aspect that it is inspired stream of conscious, contains vivid..." Read more

"...The art work and photography in `Decoded' is outstanding throughout...." Read more

"This is a phenomenal book. I'm very happy that Jay-Z has gotten to the point in his life that he can reflect in long form...." Read more

"...I won't spoil it for you. While the book is great to read, it's also great to look at. The pages are thick...." Read more

67 customers mention "Insight"67 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and educational. They appreciate the positive messages and stories it contains. The author shares his philosophical views on a variety of topics in a clear manner. Readers mention it's a great read for anyone who appreciates the power of words.

"...believe that this book, much like the man's music, rings with universal truth in every word that anyone around the world can relate to on many..." Read more

"...I found Jay-Z's lyrics to be a form of poetry that contains many positive messages for listeners...." Read more

"...Decoded does an excellent job of sharing Shawn's philosophical views on a variety of topics...." Read more

"...his father's abandonment, the intricacies of his lyrics, his business-savvy attitude and his apparent understanding of the world around him...." Read more

60 customers mention "Writing style"52 positive8 negative

Customers appreciate the book's writing style. They find it helpful for understanding Jay Z's lyrics and their meanings. The prose is put together in an interesting, melodic way. Readers describe the book as a mix between autobiography and poetry reading. The author is descriptive and paints a perfect picture of life in the projects.

"...This book is an auto biography, a book of poetry, bible, a text book, a reference manual, a blueprint, but most importantly.... A roadmap on..." Read more

"This book reads like a mix between an autobiography and a poetry reading...." Read more

"...Being spoon fed all of the double entendre's, metaphors and overall witty word play changes your overall view on these songs...." Read more

"...his thug past, the affect of his father's abandonment, the intricacies of his lyrics, his business-savvy attitude and his apparent understanding of..." Read more

49 customers mention "Knowledge of music"49 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's knowledge of music. It provides a clearer understanding of rap and hip-hop music, as well as its symbolism and deeper appreciation of its songs. They find it uplifting and inspiring, with details on how hip-hop musicians in his era worked. The book sheds light on the evolution of hip-hop culture over the years.

"...This is a book about life, spirituality, self-discovery, music, poetry, business, craftsmanship, and society...." Read more

"...Today he is an elite rapper, a skilled artist, and a highly successful entrepreneur who has become very rich, but also gives back via acts of..." Read more

"...The end result is an unexpected love letter to Rap culture (distinct from Hip Hop culture), and a deeper (also unexpected) acknowledgement of the..." Read more

"...to weave personal trials and tribulations and turn them into meaninful songs which people from all backgrounds can relate to...." Read more

30 customers mention "Visual quality"30 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's visual quality. They find the artwork beautiful, with an impressive internal layout and symbolic cover. The presentation is described as fantastic images that paint a perfect picture of life in the projects. Readers mention the book makes their office look more intellectual.

"...music in the aspect that it is inspired stream of conscious, contains vivid imagery, and layered metaphors...." Read more

"...The art direction, overseen by Jay-Z, looks really good. Honestly, they should make this book a coffee-table edition...." Read more

"...So, happy reading with some great tributes, fantastic images, and a compelling story." Read more

"...The most beautiful, heart-wrenching, and captivating part of this book is Jay-Z’s keen ability to plant the reader firmly in his shoes...." Read more

28 customers mention "Story telling"28 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storytelling in the book. They find it insightful into Jay-Z's life and career, exploring the stories behind his lyrics. The book provides a glimpse into his hustling days and how he broke into the music business.

"...have written great books about Tupac and Nas, and there was a great biographical film about The Notorious B.I.G., but Jay often gets overlooked for..." Read more

"...happy reading with some great tributes, fantastic images, and a compelling story." Read more

"...Jay-Z gives you a glimpse into his hustling days, breaking into the music business, growing up in Marcy projects in Bedford-Stuyvesant, and the..." Read more

"...opportunity to read this and understand, for the first time, this incredible story that Jay-Z transformed into art - through rap and also through..." Read more

12 customers mention "Enjoyment"12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it insightful and interesting, with many ah-ha moments. They appreciate the personal stories and the journey the author takes them on. The childlike sense of wonder that the author approaches life is also appreciated.

"...you are a fan of hip hop or not, you will appreciate his child-like sense of wonder that he approaches his life with...." Read more

"...But honestly, I loved it most for the personal stories; the rags to riches "here's the moment when it all went down and everything changed"..." Read more

"...really treasures this book and seems to find it very insightful and interesting. She has promised to lend it to me after she has finished...." Read more

"...It's very insightful and smart, and extremely interesting. He tells his story and dives deeper into his lyrics and it's absolutely beautiful." Read more

10 customers mention "Value for money"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value for money. They say it provides valuable life experiences that can guide them on the right path.

"This book is well worth the money. Before reading any reviews, I was expecting a book full of all his lyrics and explanations for them...." Read more

"...Priceless life experiences can set you on the right part...." Read more

"...n it is worth every penny. it is a book u will read over n over. and goo back at any time n look up lyrics threw out his carreer...." Read more

"Good book, as I am a huge jay-z fan, and it was a good price. Delivered in good condition I believe it was a Christmas gift." Read more

A great read, very inspiring
5 out of 5 stars
A great read, very inspiring
A very captivating and refreshing read. The author is very descriptive and paints a perfect picture of life in the projects from the perspective of a young kid trying to make it out. He also sheds a lot of light on the hip-hop culture and its evolution over the years. It's one of those books that you wouldn't want to put down once you start reading it. Fantastic work. The book itself arrived in good form despite the fact that it is a used copy, the pages are still crisp and clean
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2011
    Although, I am a Jay-Z fan, I firmly believe that this book, much like the man's music, rings with universal truth in every word that anyone around the world can relate to on many different levels. It can mean a million different things to a million different readers. Doesn't matter whether you are a fan of hip hop or not, you will appreciate his child-like sense of wonder that he approaches his life with. Whether you appreciate his music already or not, you won't be able to see him in the same light. This is a book about life, spirituality, self-discovery, music, poetry, business, craftsmanship, and society.

    This well crafted auto-biography in many ways runs parallel to his music in the aspect that it is inspired stream of conscious, contains vivid imagery, and layered metaphors. He speaks about his life, his upbringing, his struggles, his paradigm-shifts, and his music but also dissects dozens of his songs. In this book Jay Z picks his own brain by analyzing his music. Below are excerpts from the book on some of the topics he touched on. I left out the parts where he really goes in and dissects his lyrical content so you can pick up the book and enjoy the journey yourself.

    LIFE-

    "I love metaphors, and for me hustling is the ultimate metaphor for the basic human struggles: the struggle to survive and resist, the struggle to win and make sense of it all."

    "When you step out of school and have to teach yourself about life, you develop a different relationship to information."

    Spirituality-

    "I don't spend a lot of time on records talking about spiritual ideas in an explicit way, although I think a lot of my music sneaks in those big questions-of good and evil, fate and destiny, suffering and inequality...at the heart of a lot these competing ideas of the afterlife and heaven and hell and thug angels and all that is the idea that if the universe is just, things have to even out eventually, somehow. And sometimes that's a scary thought."

    Self-Discovery-

    "Competition pushes you to become your best self, and in the end it tells you where you stand. Jordan said the same thing about Larry Bird and Magic"

    "I've discovered that there really is such thing as win-win situation. And sometimes, I'm only competing with myself, to be a better artists and businessman. To be a better person with a broader vision"

    Music-

    "The flow isn't like time, its like life. Its like a heartbeat or the way you breath, it can jump, speed up, slow down, stop, or pound right through like a machine. If the beat is time, flow is what we do with that time, how we live through it. The beat is everywhere, but every life has to find its own flow."

    "Knowing how to complicate a simple song without losing its basic appeal is one of the keys to good songwriting"

    Poetry-

    "This is another place where the art of rap and the art of the hustler meet. Poets and hustlers play with language, because for them simple clarity can mean failure. They bend language, improvise, and invent new ways of speaking truth."

    "A poet's mission is to make the words do more work than they normally do, to make them work on more than one level. For instance, a poet makes words work sonically-as sounds, as music....the point of those bar is to bang out a rhythmic idea, not to impress you with the literal meaning of the words"

    Business-

    "He knew that great product was the ultimate advantage in competition, not how big your office building is or how deep your pockets are or who you know. In the end it came down to having a great product and the hustle to move it, which is something I learned working the block"

    "But in business, like they say, you don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate. So I mind my business and I don't apologize for it.

    Craftsmanship-

    "The thing that distinguishes Jordan wasn't just his talent, but his discipline, his laser-like commitment to excellence. That's something I always respect, especially in people who have great natural talents already."

    "when we take the most familiar subject in the history of rap-why I'm dope'-and frame it within the sixteen-bar structure of a rap verse, synced to the specific rhythm and feel of the track, more than anything it's a test of creativity and wit"

    Society-

    "To tell the story of the kid with the gun without telling the story of why he has it is to tell a kind of lie"

    "Its like listening to Maya Angelou and ignoring everything until you heard her drop a line about drinking or sleeping with someone's husband and dismissing her as an alcoholic adulterer"

    In summation this book should come with a warning label because anyone who picks this book up with an open mind is sure to put it down a different person. You'll also never be able to listen to his music the way you used to as well. This book is an auto biography, a book of poetry, bible, a text book, a reference manual, a blueprint, but most importantly.... A roadmap on becoming `Dope'. And no one like Mr. Carter can say "I'm dope" with as much poetic eloquence.
    18 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2011
    I've always enjoyed a broad spectrum of music, ranging from classical to jazz; from popular to reggae; from stage/screen to R&B Soul; from ragtime to country. However, although I've enjoyed some of the rhythms of rap and hip-hop, I've never really become enamored with this music genre for two reasons: (1) I've usually had difficulty understanding the meaning of the lyrics, and (2) some lyrics clearly convey violent messages. The main reason that I read `Decoded' (by Jay-Z, aka, Shawn Carter) is that it was highly recommended by Oprah. After reading Jay-Z's fascinating book (which decodes the lyrics of 36 of his songs), I'm able to see rap and hip hop music in a different light. Specifically, I found Jay-Z's lyrics to be a form of poetry that contains many positive messages for listeners.

    In `Decoded' Jay-Z candidly states that when he was growing up in the Marcy Projects in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, he lived the life of a hustler (i.e., a street level drug dealer). As Jay-Z explains, through his lyrics he is attempting to share his life story with the listeners. As he puts it, the story of the hustler is the ultimate human story, the story of struggle.

    In the lyrics of `Public Service Announcement' Jay-Z relates the difficult conditions that cause many inner city kids to become hustlers in the first place. Specifically, (in the decoded version of these lyrics) Jay-Z states, "...And we---the hustlers at the street level---definitely didn't invent the poverty and hopelessness that drove a generation of desperate kids to start selling drugs..." In the decoded version of his song titled, `December 4th' Jay-Z states, "I'm making the point that poverty, as bad as it is, was one reason why I ended up hustling, but there were deeper reasons, demons that I had stemming from abandonment." However, Jay-Z's lyrics avoid placing the total responsibility for the perpetuation of the `hustling lifestyle' on the `acrid' environment in which hustlers live/operate. By contrast, Jay-Z places a fair amount of the responsibility on the shoulders of the hustlers, themselves. Specifically, (in the decoded lyrics of `Public Service Announcement') he states: "...But then there's a point where I'm not so innocent anymore. It's when I `do it twice'. The second time is not out of desperation to survive or to resist the status quo, but out of greed for the spoils of the game." Moreover, in the decoded version of `American Dreamin', Jay-Z warns young people against getting drawn into hustling, when he states: "...(the lyrics are) meant to show how impossible it is for anyone to have the level of vision you'd need to make the dream of the hustler really come true. There are too many threats, too many hazards; even the smartest, most discerning hustler can't anticipate it all. This song is like the blues. It's about the inevitable tragedy of the hustler's life, the inevitable piercing of the hustler's dream. It's about a wish that can't come true. Can it?"

    The art work and photography in `Decoded' is outstanding throughout. Moreover, to facilitate comprehension Jay-Z's thirty-six (36) songs are grouped into broad categories, each corresponding to a particular theme. Jay-Z exhibits extraordinary lyrical skills (i.e., his lyrics are replete with brilliant metaphors/double entendres). Accordingly, I found it necessary to read this book carefully, in accordance with the following deliberative process:
    1. I read the lyrics for each particular song aloud (I had previously learned that poetry should always be read aloud).
    2. I (silently) read Jay-Z's decoded version of the song.
    3. I watched (and listened to) the video of the particular song on YouTube while following the lyrics in the book.
    This process enabled me to read with satisfaction and comprehension, and to gain a better appreciation of hip-hop.

    In summary, `Decoded' tells the story of a human being (Jay-Z, aka Shawn Carter) who used to be a street hustler, but who has since turned his life around via talent, hard work and determination. Today he is an elite rapper, a skilled artist, and a highly successful entrepreneur who has become very rich, but also gives back via acts of charity and philanthropy towards various groups. As Jay-Z points out, via hip-hop, he aims to make the lifestyle of the hustler visible through the lens of one who has actually lived `that life'; and in the process, to share with youngsters and other readers some life lessons that he has learned the hard way. In the future I plan to listen to more of Jay-Z's songs, and to hopefully gain a better appreciation for hip-hop in the process. I would recommend this book to everyone (young, old and in between), regardless of whether or not they are hip-hop aficionados.
    13 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • AditC
    5.0 out of 5 stars Iconic
    Reviewed in Canada on February 17, 2024
    An iconic book from an iconic artist. This is a must have for every hip hop fan, and it looks beautiful on a shelf.
  • Caio
    5.0 out of 5 stars JAY HOVA
    Reviewed in Brazil on March 24, 2020
    Surpreendente
    Report
  • Victoria
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must have...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 15, 2020
    I originally bought this for my partner, then had to get myself one after I read one or two pages while wrapping it up.
    You have to look at this book with an elite mindset and when you do, you will be able to read between the lines and learn everything there is to know about having a mindset like the GOAT.
    No it is not told in bullet points, it is told through stories and Lyrics - you may not see straight away what it is that you want to see - but if you know what you're looking for, its a gem!
  • JanBP
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
    Reviewed in Spain on December 4, 2019
    A lil piece of art.
  • Petru
    5.0 out of 5 stars un must per i fan
    Reviewed in Italy on November 6, 2018
    Veramente bello, ti ispira. veramente ben fatto, un must per i fan di Jay Z anche se in inglese con l'aiuto di un dizionario è facilmente traducibile, ultra consigliato