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)

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Spiegel & Grau
Published: 11/16/2010
ISBN: 9781400068920
Pages: 317
Weight: 2.33lbs
Size: 9.36h x 7.64w x 1.09d
Award: Street Literature Book Award Medal (Slbam) - Winner

Review Citations: Library Journal 11/01/2010 pg. 76
Essence 12/01/2010 pg. 88
Entertainment Weekly 11/19/2010 pg. 102
Kirkus Reviews 12/01/2010
Entertainment Weekly 12/03/2010 pg. 83
People Weekly 12/06/2010 pg. 62
New Yorker (The) 12/06/2010 pg. 82