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)