NoSuch ThingAs Per/fect

Title: Decoded

RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 16TH, 2010

PUBLISHER: Spiegel & Grau

COVER: Andy Warhol

“Initially announced earlier in the year, the cover art for Jay-Z’s Decoded has finally been unveiled. Quite the interesting move for the famed musician, Decoded plays the role of exactly what its title suggest, the decoding of 36 classic Jay-Z tracks. For each, Mr. Carter provides his own insight into the meaning behind particular lyrics, and his reasoning for writing them. Hip-hop educational and equally entertaining, the book will be offered in a hardcover version through publisher Spiegel & Grau and in digital form via an eBook and iPhone/iPad app. A release is set for November 16th through finer booksellers, including Amazon, which is now taking pre-orders for the special price of $21 USD.”

via HypeBeast

Okay now that I have delivered the important stuff, on to my ramblings!

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First off, this “book” is what I’ve been waiting for ever since ….’H-to the- Izzo” maybe? Of course I always liked Shawn’s style and attitude but when I grew up I started to appreciate him for his lyrics more then anything else. Yes i might know them but I don’t know them. A good amount of difficult slurs and rhythmical rants I can actually catch on pretty quick, some on the other hand are a different story! For example, I was recently watching this documentary about the Rucker park game between Jay-Z and “Fat Joe” that never happened. Jay had a guy on his team named John Strickland. Very aggressive guy! During one game a guy missed a lay-up and Strickland b.k.a. “Strick” ran up to him and said..well yelled “FINISH YOUR BREAKFAST, SMUSH! FINISH YOUR FUCKING BREAKFAST C’MON!”. These words were later dissected and thrown into one of Mr. Carter’s  well known songs “Public Service Announcement” about 50 seconds in you hear the line “My homey Strict told me, “Dude finish your breakfast“. So if you didn’t watch that documentary or weren’t at the rucker that day would you know the meaning of that lyric?

Doubt it.

So alike many others, I can’t wait for the book! It should be a great birthday present!

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What are some Jay songs, verses, or lines you would like explained in the book?

(don’t be ashamed!)

drop a comment!