And there is a lot of in-depth references to a culture that I really don't understand. Aug 01, Susie rated it it was ok Shelves: didn-t-finish , bestsellers , memoir-biography-celebrity. I'm continuing my celebrity memoir kick! It was better than I thought it would be but still not great enough to recheck out.
Nov 27, Eva Marie rated it it was ok Shelves: non-fiction , celebs. I shouldn't have waited so long to review this but I honestly had so much going through my mind about the content of this book that I needed time to process it all. Like a lot of my reviews that I have more than a few comments about this isn't going to be in any sort of order. I made notes in the book about certain parts I wanted to comment on so I'm going to go in order of those while adding in anything new I think of at the same time.
First I want to say that Jay-Z is one of my all-time favorit I shouldn't have waited so long to review this but I honestly had so much going through my mind about the content of this book that I needed time to process it all. First I want to say that Jay-Z is one of my all-time favorite rappers. He's in the top 6 for sure. In order, the top 4, for me, are Biggie, Tupac, Eminem and Jay.
The next 2, in no special order are Eric B. There are certainly many, many more artists that I love and respect but for me, those are my favorites. I can listen to Jay-Z's older CDs literally over and over and over. That brings me to my biggest problem with this book. It's also a problem that at least one other reviewer who happens to be a friend of mine mentioned.
Why write this like this? Why "explain" your lyrics? First, I doubt too many sheltered, naive, 89 year old bingo playing grandmothers from the suburbs rock Jay driving down the road to pick up their laxative. Isn't that the point? The beauty of it, if you will? I have a lot of respect for Jay-Z as an artist but I do have to admit that I lost some after reading this book. I could be wrong of course but it really sounded to me like he was trying to wave away a few of those with a 'Oh, I meant this by that - not what everyone thought.
That is what brought the level of respect down a few notches. I really loved - and would have liked it to be in more detail - how Jay-Z mentions so many past artists like Eric B.
It just brings back memories to think back to when rap had so many of its 'firsts'. This has already been said but I'll reinforce - if you're looking for a tell-all - look elsewhere. If I recall correctly Beyonce isn't even mentioned. The pictures aren't what anyone would be happy to find in a tell-all or bio.
Even the information about Jay himself is lacking in a lot of ways. I'll move on to my notes in the book but I reserve the right to backslide if I remember anything else.
One, I happen to like Fox News and I think they're the rare news station that does tell the truth. That isn't interested in changing or omitting certain facts because of race or anything else. They aren't scared to condemn Obama for a problem because he's black. I like that personally. I don't want to get my news from a station that's so frightened of anyone or any group that they'll hinder the news for any reason. But here's another reason - talking like that makes Jay look stupid to me.
Not because I happen to disagree. That beef is detailed in the paragraph above. But taking a classier stance would have come across much better. Being black does not equate with perfection. Nor does being white. But, he's black and that's all that matters for Jay. Again, respect plummets. I don't want anyone to misunderstand me - I think Obama, just by being black, did more for this country and this world than a lot of people realize.
I, for one, was way tired of going to Washington and seeing all white male faces looking down on me when I go into the Presidents room in a museum.
I'd like to see a woman up there as much as I enjoyed seeing a black man. That fact alone did loads for the kids in America IMO.
Namely, the black and any other non-white child. Further, any female child of any color now knows that not only white men have the chance to be President.
But that's not enough. It's just not enough. His being black doesn't excuse him from running this country "correctly" for lack of a better word. You see, our friend Jay won't be affected by Obama's health care system.
Our friend Jay has all the money in the world should anything happen to him or his. Do you? Have you looked into the way our health care will be under this new law? I have and I don't like it. There's a reason behind everything. I wonder if Jay's feelings would be different if Beyonce had to go to the hospital as a middle class woman under Obama's health care.
Or, GASP! But see, Jay and Beyonce passed upper-class a looong time ago so they have nothing to worry about. They could just buy themselves a hospital and some people to go with it if need be. Can you? Again on page 55, something small, Jay talks about how young black people are misunderstood in that they're hawked when they walk in a Macy's. Like they're going to steal something. Jay feels this shouldn't be like this. I feel the same way. My problem comes in with Jay's next few sentence. These "misunderstood" kids are so mad about this that they handle it My sympathy flies out the window at this point.
If you want to be able to be mad about someone treating you in that way then you have to be able to stand up under scrutiny. And stealing when someone working in the store expects you do is NOT the way to achieve such a thing. That makes it all the more likely it'll not only keep happening but that these people were RIGHT in doing so. I have an idea! How about NOT stealing? Not stealing and being able to walk out of the store with your head held high?
That's a novel idea, yes? But with Jay, being black is the answer. These boys don't have to be held accountable because they're black. That's why. Not good enough for me.
A lot of people will go for that for the sole reason of them not wanting to "seem" or be perceived as racist. I have no fear of that so I can be totally honest. The person who calls me a racist is a fool who doesn't know me. Okay, on page 86 I'll quote Jay.
He tried to word it in such a way that it seems he means something different which is quite smart on his part but I think I won't be the only person to notice this.
This isn't the only occasion in this book where he does this. I think it's a ludicrous statement to say people are "so in love with life" that they're willing to "fight for it". Because that is what Jay says when you take away all the bullshit and look at it for what it is. Way to justify killing people Jay. Respect plummets some more.
One page Jay says that "dreams of the NBA are one of the hoaxes played on young black boys. I suppose the government - or probably any white person in general is good enough for our friend Jay - plans these hoaxes out.
If for whatever reason they don't work, say, the young black boy is more interested in math, we actually have plans in place for those times. We kidnap these wayward children, let them know what they're to do, and if they agree we put them back with no one the wiser. If they don't we just get rid of them. Because I really want to know. Is all of basketball a hoax? Is golf a hoax for white people? Let me guess, us whites are exempt from hoaxes, huh?
Duh Eva, don't be stupid now. Do I need to mention what's still plummeting? If my respect for Jay - all around, not just musically - was a 10 before picking this up by time I finished reading page it had to have dropped to about a 3 or 4. I do have to hand it to him though. When he says something so stupid he can't expand on it he leaves it simple.
In the hopes people won't notice or think about it too much I guess. And the truly sad part is that most people don't think about it. That quoted statement is so damn stupid I can't believe anyone would say it - much less someone who has to be fairly intelligent to have gotten so far in life.
It's a damn shame is what it is. Page leads us into Jay's thoughts on black people and the government. Newsflash Jay, they DO. Allow me to clarify, SOME white people do. Just as SOME black people do. I don't know the statistics and I'll guess, for this review, more black people than white people use these services. Now, let's keep it really real here okay? It has been proven time and time again that if a person wants to get out of a bad situation they can.
How about not stealing from that Macy's? Or actually going to school instead of selling drugs? I've lived in projects before. I've seen the poverty. My family has enough money to live comfortably now but it hasn't always been like that. But you know what? Through hard work anyone can get out of this. So don't tell me that government is worse to blacks than whites.
I'll agree that in some exact circumstances that's true but does Jay want to hear the story about how the government whored me when I wanted to receive child support for my daughter? I'm white. By Jay's rules I should have been held up like a princess while single black mothers use "little plastic cards" to pay for everything. Again, no matter what color people are they may have problems with the government.
They may have problems with a store. With other people. With a school. What what-the-fuck-ever. It's slightly humorous that the person saying this is probably one of the richest people on the earth.
Both black but they're the exception to the rule I guess. When Jay starts talking about censorship he actually says "even black leaders who were supposed to be representing you would turn on you. Because you share the same skin color? What if they don't care about that? What if they look past that? Jay cares oh so much for free speech yet this "leader" he mentions isn't allowed to attest to how he feels rap is bad for our communities.
This reminds me of something I saw on Facebook sometime last year. I was friends with a black women, an author and she had had a friend, a black man, who was an artist. The woman used her FB page for private and business aspects while the man didn't have a business page. He did no advertising on FB beyond his own. The woman commented the man asking him if they could post to each others page to get across to more people. The man was very polite and professional in his reply. He told the woman his page was a personal page, that he didn't promote people on his page, that if he did ever make a business page he'd let her know and they definitely could do what she suggested.
Her reaction? He hates black people. She posted, ranting, to her own page about how this "brother" wasn't "supporting" his "black sisters". This is just one more instance of how everything had to boil down to race with some people.
In my experience those are the people who have racial issues and are usually racist. Of course, as anyone who knows humans knows already, her "friends" commented her back without actually looking or asking or getting more info. They were little mini-yes-men and women and agreed with everything she said which only reinforced it in her poor little lacking mind. So she actually gave him bad publicity because she put his name out there and everything.
Before deleting her I don't like people like her around me I commented telling her that I disagreed. I was very polite and I basically explained to her what anyone with one working brain cell would have understood immediately on their own.
Her and her friends reply? I "don't understand" because I'm not "black". Alright then. On page Jay gets into black men in prison. Who couldn't see that coming I have no idea. Well, apparently there are more black men in American jails and prisons than white men. Jay fails to mention though that Here's what I propose - even if for a short amount of time. Then we let some of the criminals out to move in the same neighborhood.
We'll pick the really "good" criminals for him. The murderer, the baby molesters, the rapists, etc. I'm sure all of them would like living next door to B. Oh, and I'm sure Jay would be okay with the dealers being released when they started hanging out in front of him and B's home selling heroin and crack. Maybe when they're child grows up he or she will even get caught up in the lifestyle and become a drug addict! Or, a slightly different scenario, maybe he or she will become a drug dealer.
Because you know, those people are innocent after all. Righteous bastard. I wasn't this mad when all of this was flying around loose in my head. Now that I'm actually putting it all down I'm getting angry though. Jay inserted some truly ignorant statements in here and sadly most people I doubt are smart enough to notice. And I'm no brilliant star here, I just have my eyes open.
Another direct quote from page Um, how many rappers have been shot and killed again? How many have shot and killed? Even the dazzling, shiny Puffy busted off a few shots in a club once upon a time. How many are locked up right now? How many have talked about murdering, selling drugs, raping women, etc.? Say that again Jay. Apparently Jay has inside knowledge of at least one "hip-hop squad". I know nothing of this so being that he actually says this is in existence I won't doubt it.
I will however say that it's not surprising and I think it's a good thing. If country singers or pop stars talked about and were involved in illegal situations I would want them to do the same. Why should rappers get a pass? Because they're black. I forgot, Jay, my bad. I don't know the facts surrounding this so I can't comment in depth.
I meant to dig up the details before starting this review and forgot to do so. I don't know much about SS but it seems from the little I do know the comparison was uncalled for at best.
At worst he may as well have called her something worse. If I'm right and he had no reason to compare her to a pig like Duke then I pity him. He obviously needs to take a good long deep look inside himself. As Jay should also do IMO. A little later Jay tells how rap has "corrected" the idea that an absent father is okay. This is another head scratcher for me.
How many non-rapping black men do? How many songs yet and still glorify this? Granted, there are songs that glorify just the opposite sure. Jay's statement is a bold one and one I personally don't think he can back up. I think it was a slight to not mention Eminem here also.
If there is any rapper out there who proves and glorifies being a Father - it's Eminem. None have done what he's done in that arena. Yet Jay mentions Biggie's lyric "pop duke left ma duke, the faggot took the back way" and Ed O. If we're talking about RAP Eminem should have been top dog there.
I think one of my biggest problems with Jay's words here is he only says partial bits of something. He says what he wants you to hear, the things that support his cause, is beliefs, and he totally skips over the other parts that are just as important. Obviously that's a joke as we all know now. But then Jay goes into the looting. He mentions people stealing baby supplies being called looters. Personally, the only pictures I saw of anyone being called looters was people stealing beer and that sort of thing.
I saw no pictures of anyone stealing necessities and then being called a looter. That's not to say it didn't happen of course. I wouldn't be surprised if it did with the shape this country is in.
My point here is that Jay totally eliminates the fact that the country's people were already on high alert for looting because of the people who were looting. I don't know a single soul who would condemn a person, no matter what the hell color they were, for stealing necessary items to survive in a disaster. On the flip side, most of the people I know would condemn the man floating his way through the water with a case of stolen beer.
But Jay doesn't mention that. Therein is my problem. That's the end of my notes because this is when I started skimming. I borrowed this from the library because I wasn't about to pay for one tenth of one tenth of one tenth of Beyonce's headlight on the new Bentley Jay will buy her for some no-name holiday this coming year.
As it is, I'm supremely pleased I didn't pay for it. I would be livid right now if I had given this man any of my money. All in all I've lost a humongous amount of respect for Jay-Z. IMO he's a racist no better than any other white or black racist out there.
I hope people are smart enough to read between the lines and make Jay-Z know it. Maybe if his white fans stop supporting him he'd realize racism isn't the way to go. I'll still listen to his music. It's his older music that I like the most anyway and I already have it. Before reading this I'd have thought nothing of going on iTunes and buying a whole CD from him on the strength of one song. Now, I won't even pay 99 cents for the song. In a way I feel pity because I know his beliefs aren't any that I'd want to have.
It's awkward feeling that way towards someone who most people think has everything. On the surface he does seem to have everything. After reading this I realize how much he doesn't have. Maybe writing this will help him in some way.
I hope he gives it the chance. So, in conclusion, he's still a superb musician for the most part but as a human he needs a lot of work. There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one ». Readers also enjoyed. Biography Memoir. About Jay-Z. Shawn Corey Carter, better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor.
He has sold approximately 50 million albums worldwide, while receiving thirteen Grammy Awards for his musical work, and num Shawn Corey Carter, better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He has sold approximately 50 million albums worldwide, while receiving thirteen Grammy Awards for his musical work, and numerous additional nominations. He is consistently ranked as one of the greatest rappers of all-time.
Two of his albums, Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint are considered landmarks in the genre with both of them being ranked in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the greatest albums of all time. As an artist, he holds the record for most number one albums by a solo artist on the Billboard with eleven. Jay-Z also has had four number ones on the Billboard Hot , one as lead artist.
On December 11, , Jay-Z was ranked as the 10th most successful artist of the 's by Billboard and ranking as the 5th top solo male artist and as the 4th top rapper behind Eminem, Nelly, and 50 Cent.
Books by Jay-Z. Need another excuse to treat yourself to a new book this week? We've got you covered with the buzziest new releases of the day. To create our Read more Ginger Alden. Waging Heavy Peace. Come As You Are.
Michael Azerrad. Inside Comedy. David Steinberg. Sound Man. So, Anyway…. Chinaberry Sidewalks. Rodney Crowell. Meredith Baxter.
Chrissie Hynde. Never Broken. My Life So Far. The Soloist. Asante and MK Asante. Eminent Hipsters. Donald Fagen. My Friend Leonard. There Are No Children Here.
Alex Kotlowitz. Lips Unsealed. Belinda Carlisle. Cynthia Lennon. Elvis and Me. Priscilla Presley. But Enough About Me. Age Range: Adult. Language: English. Street Date : November 16, TCIN : UPC : Description About the Book "Decoded" is an intimate, first-person portrait of the life and art of Jay-Z, organized around a "decoding" of his most famous and provocative lyrics.
This beautifully designed, fully illustrated book offers a surprising and revealing look at the life, influences, and artistic process of one of the most successful, widely admired, controversial, and compelling figures in American culture today.
Book Synopsis 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. Report incorrect product info. Shipping details Estimated ship dimensions: 10 inches length x 7.
This item cannot be shipped to the following locations: Virgin Islands, U. Return details This item can be returned to any Target store or Target. This item must be returned within 30 days of the in-store purchase, ship date or online order pickup. See return policy for details. See the return policy for complete information. More to consider. Featured products. Show more From the manufacturer Loading, please wait Show more.
Write a review. Great book.. Lidul - 10 years ago. If you or your close ones are big Jay-Z fans.. Bought it for my boyfriend for Christmas and he loved it! Ordered it from Target. I was very satisfied with my purchase and would recommend this product to others.
0コメント