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)