*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)**