Decoded by Jay-Z

Decodedis billed as rapper Jay-Z’s annotated lyrics. In reality, it’s a whip-smart, beautifully written memoir that will give you insight into everything from what made the 90s hip hop scene tick to urban planning and economics in the US, all in the form of a memoir of one of the world’s most successful music celebrities. The annotated lyrics are well-chosen, and interspersed with narrative passages and photos they make this one of the best contemporary music memoirs out there. Jay-Z’s percussive, poetic energy and ghostwriter dream hampton’s powerful literary chops combine for a page-turning book. Now go and brush your shoulders off.