The only rapper to rewrite history without a pen

 

Despite Jay-Z’s willingness to bare his emotions in song, we know precious little about the man himself, Shawn Carter. The general arc of his life’s narrative is clear: A child of Brooklyn’s Marcy projects transforms himself from aspiring rapper to drug hustler to global superstar to corporate mogul. He is the self-made man of American myth, remixed with a kick drum and a snare. Under the guise of his invented name, Jay-Z has become less person than persona. As he once rapped with characteristic concision: “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man.” Though he’s released a staggering 11 albums in 14 years, the man behind the business still remains a mystery — often seen, but rarely heard.
That is what makes “Decoded” such an unexpected and welcome gift. At over 300 pages, it is a multimedia, multi-genre extravaganza: part memoir, part coffee-table book, part annotated compendium of lyrics, part polemic in the defense of hip hop’s poesy. Jay-Z (with the aid of the respected hip-hop journalist dream hampton) intersperses personal anecdotes, rhetorical broadsides, and deep reflections with rich images and typography. From Andy Warhol’s striking “Rorschach” on the book’s front cover to the interior art, which ranges from Michelangelo’s “Pieta” to a vintage Little Orphan Annie button, the book is a visual feast.

What the book isn’t — and what many hip-hop fans have long anticipated — is a tell-all memoir. Though rich in anecdotes, the narrative is organized thematically rather than chronologically, underscoring the continuities across Jay-Z’s career. The themes range from poverty to fame, from sports to politics. At times, these subject-driven sections leave one dissatisfied with the level of revelation and reflection, such as in his cursory treatment of race relations. Combined, though, they provide a penetrating glimpse into the mind of one of the greatest American artist-celebrities.As a collection of lyrics alone, “Decoded” is an essential contribution. It joins a growing body of works, such as Paul Edwards’s “How to Rap: The Art and Science of the Hip-Hop MC” and Yale University Press’s “The Anthology of Rap” (which I co-edited with Andrew DuBois), that place the rap lyric in its proper context within the American popular songbook and the broader tradition of poetry through the ages.

Jay-Z is a rapper who famously doesn’t write down his lyrics — or as he once termed it, “the only rapper to rewrite history without a pen” — and seeing his words on the page is a revelation. Syllables and sounds bounce off one another; clever figures of speech unfold before our eyes. Throughout the book, he continually makes the case for understanding rappers as poets, complex artists capable of rendering the familiar unfamiliar, embodying paradox and tension in their lyrics, and making things beautiful — and ugly too — as artists at their best always do.
“Turning something as common as language into a puzzle makes the familiar feel strange; it makes the language we take for granted feel fresh and exciting again, like an old friend who just revealed a long-held secret, ” he writes. “That’s why the MCs who really play with language . . . can be the most exciting for people who listen closely enough, because they snatch the ground out from under you . . .” “Decoded” will do just that, upending assumptions about hip-hop and leaving readers suspended in midair, staring down at a new and complex ground beneath their feet.

“Decoded”: Decoding the mysteries of Jay-Z’s lyrics

The hip-hop giant famously doesn't write down his rhymes. But a new book reveals their genius complexity.

 

Decoding Jay-z`s Lyrics

This is a public service announcement
Sponsored by Just Blaze and the good folks at Roc-A-Fella Records

"Fellow Americans, it is with the utmost pride and sincerity
that I present this recording, as a living testiment and recollection
of history in the making during our generation."

[Jay-Z]
Allow me to re-introduce myself
My name is Hov', OH, H-to-the-O-V
I used to move snowflakes by the O-Z
I guess even back then you can call me
CEO of the R-O-C, Hov'!
Fresh out the fryin pan into the fire
I be the, music biz number one supplier
Flyer/flier than a piece of paper bearin my name
Got the hottest chick in the game wearin my chain, that's right
Hov', OH - not D.O.C.
But similar to them letters, "No One Can Do it Better"
I check cheddar like a food inspector
My homey Strict told me, "Dude finish your breakfast"
So that's what I'ma do, take you back to the dude
with the Lexus, fast-forward the jewels and the necklace
Let me tell you dudes what I do to protect this
I shoot at you actors like movie directors [laughing]
This ain't a movie dog (oh shit)

"Now before I finish, let me just say
I did not come here to show out, did not come here to impress you
Because to tell you the truth when I leave here I'm GONE!
And I don't care WHAT you think about me - but just remember,
when it hits the fan brother, whether it's next year, ten years,
twenty years from now, you'll never be able to say
that these brothers lied to you JACK!"

CLIQUE

Cruel Summer’s “Clique” Goes Platinum

Congrats to the boys of G.O.O.D. Music!  Cruel Summer has hit yet another milestone this week as its fourth single, “Clique,” reaches platinum status.  Big Sean, Jay-Z and Kanye West’s contributions to the G.O.O.D. Music album is the second track to go platinum, with lead single “Mercy” making its way to double platinum.
Follow-up album, Cruel Winter, is also on its way.

Video: Road To Brooklyn: The Look (Thoughts On Brooklyn Nets Logo)

JAY Z's Life + Times takes a listen to what people are saying -- pro and con -- about the Brooklyn Nets' logo and uniform, and explores its evolution from concept to final design. What do you think about the new logo?

Jay-Z Releases A New Video For Obama (VIDEO)

In a powerful and moving ad released by the Obama campaign, hip-hop mogul Jay-Z pays tribute to the nation's Commander-in-Chief Barack Obama and the historical impact he made as the first US African-American president.

The ad comes about three weeks before the presidential election, which will determine if the incumbent will be voted in for a second term, or lose to Republican challenger Mitt Romney. It includes footage from Jay's "Made In America" concert last month, which debuted a video of Obama speaking to the crowd, and emphasizes how hard work can help anyone achieve the American Dream by portraying both men as leading examples.
A figure of hope and inspiration, Jay says that Obama changed the perception that children see in themselves when they look at Obama.

“When the president got in office initially, what he represented to a nation of kids was hope. You know the hope of people across the country who would look and see themselves and know the possibilities," says Jay.

The Brooklyn-bred lyricist also talks about how Obama gave a "voice" to those who were "silent" because they didn't believe their voice mattered.

“For so long, there was this voice that was silenced out there as far as exercising your right to vote. I think it was a voice that was silent because people had lost hope. They didn’t believe that their voice mattered or counted. Now people are exercising their right, and you are starting to see the power of our vote. He made it mean something for the first time for a lot of people.”

Ties between Hov and Barack go back to 2008, when the rap star campaigned for his election and then gloriously boasted how he had "Obama on the text" in 2010.
Watch the video above!

Jay-Z and Ludacris Reveal Cognac Commercials

Jay-Z and Ludacris raise a glass in two new commercials for their favorite cognacs.
Jay’s commercial starts with him smoking a cigar in slow motion, enjoying the New York skyline before reaching for his glass of D’USSE.  Luda’s commercial has a bit more going on and features the rapper enjoying a classy night out with some friends.  Former Danity Kane member, D.Woods, is also in his commercial, which was directed by actor Larenz Tate.
“It was a pleasure working with my good friend Chris Bridges on the Conjurecommercial,” said Tate. “It feels good to work alongside people you respect. I hope my vision as a director gives the world a glimpse of the new level that Chris is taking his cognac brand. Cheers!”

Video: Jay-Z – Road To Brooklyn: Down By The Yards

Jay Z’s Life+Times premieres a new web series called Road To Brooklyn. This episode shows the initial stages of building the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and what residents think of it. What do you think about it?

My Top 10 Inspiring Jay-Z Quotes

 

Below is a list of 10 inspiring Jay-Z quotes. It was hard to whittle it down to just ten as there are so many and these are in no particular order.
It’s a new year and as I often do I look for motivation in songs. So I was trying to think up some inspiring Jay-Z songs when this post came about.
Check out the List of Inspiring Jay-Z quotes after the jump.

Top 10 Inspiring Jay-Z Quotes

1. “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business… man.”- Diamonds from Sierra Leone Remix.
How could you not like this line. Jay-Z highlights the fact that he is a walking business. His carefully crafted name, brand and image makes money and thats just by being himself.

2. “One million, two million, three million, four, In just five years, forty million more, you are now lookin at the forty million boy, I’m rapin Def Jam ’til I’m the hundred million man” – You Don’t Know.
Jay counts up his short rise to success with this line and his ambition to keep going til he reaches 100million. Needless to say he hit his target. Moral – Set targets and keep striving for more .

3. “I’d rather die enormous than live dormant.” – Can I Live.
From Jay-Z’s first album “Reasonable Doubt”. This line shows Jigga’s ambition to live life to the fullest even at the risk of death. Moral – Don’t sit back and let life fly by. Take massive action with all your effort.

4. “I sell ice in the winter, I sell fire in hell, I am a hustler baby, I’ll sell water to a well” – You Don’t know.
So many quotables in this one song. Highlights Jay’s self confidence and hustler mentality. Moral – Have self belief.

5. “Everything evens up, you just wait, Even a garbage can gets a steak, You ain’t even a garbage can, you have faith!” – Guns & Roses.
From Blueprint 2 with Lenny Kravitz. Everyone gets a break once in a while and you are far from garbage as you have faith.
6. “I will not lose, for even in defeat, there’s a valuable lesson learned, so it evens up for me.” – Blueprint 2.
Moral – Learn from your mistakes and never give up.
7. “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with the aim, just gotta change the target.” – American Dreamin’.
Jay-Z started out as a drug dealer and was aiming for success at selling drugs. This line highlights his realisation that he needs another target like music.
8. “Remind yourself. Nobody built like you, you design yourself.” – A Dream.
Moral – You make the the decisions which dictate your life. You’re responsible for your own success.
9. “I’m not afraid of dying. I’m afraid of not trying” – Beach Chair.
Moral – It’s better to try and fail than not to try at all.
10. “I believe excellence is being able to perform at a high level over and over” – Oprah Masterclass Documentary. Not a lyric but a quote from an interview with Oprah. Jay-Z has realised that consistency is key to success and you have to give it all every time.
This is my list of inspiring Jay-Z quotes. In the process of writing this post I thought of so many other quotes and was chopping and changing the list constantly.
Of course please drop your favorite inspirational Jay-Z quote in the comments and let me know what you think. Will start writing more list posts soon.