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sarahhahahahui's review
3.0
interesting... definitely gave a new perspective on the rap/hip-hop world and jay-z himself
it wasn't too engaging, but the parts that i did read were insightful
it wasn't too engaging, but the parts that i did read were insightful
lovelyla's review
5.0
This is one of the best autobiographical/ coffee table/ art books I've come across in a long time, if ever. Since I didn't want it to end, I flipped right back to the beginning just to analyze the art work. The grammar and syntax is a bit off-putting, but I admire how dream hampton didn't allow her gift of words to overshadow Jay telling his story, from his own mouth, the way he would in ordinary conversation. And did I mention the art work? What an engaging read!
bkdarlingone's review
3.0
Interesting to read his breakdown and the stories behind the rhymes he has penned.
candiceks's review
4.0
This book is really incredible. It's not going to turn me into someone who listens to rap, but I definitely have a clearer, more nuanced understanding of the art form and its sources of inspiration and what goes on behind the public face and all the nonsense of it.
the_elk25's review
4.0
Wow, Jay-Z is an interesting fella. It was super interesting to learn about how he views the world of hip-hop and how he creates his rhymes. I also really enjoyed the section about his views on politics and how he formed a relationship with Obama. Definitely recommend!
bamandia's review
5.0
got this book for christmas...have been reading it on and off in between other books.
i mean, how do you really give a review on a book like this? it's a book of lyrics and stories and images and anecdotes that converge to explain the making of a legend.
i find jay-z fascinating...i love hip hop...so this was a great book to me. and i'm glad to have it in hardcover format as a keepsake for flipping through in the future.
i mean, how do you really give a review on a book like this? it's a book of lyrics and stories and images and anecdotes that converge to explain the making of a legend.
i find jay-z fascinating...i love hip hop...so this was a great book to me. and i'm glad to have it in hardcover format as a keepsake for flipping through in the future.
ramansarabha's review
5.0
If you're a Jay-Z fan, go for it. It's as smooth as Jay-Z's flow and as powerful as his lyrics. You meet the guy behind the rap persona he created. Have always known he is damn smart, and book doesn't disappoint a bit. Definitely buying a hard copy and re-reading it.
toadrose's review
2.0
2.5- could be a 3, but it's not for me
Ton of lyric annotations, would be great for a fan. I really enjoyed his formal analysis of rap/hip hop and its evolution.
I'm reading it for class, and it's an interesting perspective, but I'm having trouble picking apart his multiple voices. Mainly that he's deliberately antagonistic in some spots, and I feel like I'm getting a few glimpses of the whole picture. It's only loosely chronological. I don't know. My professor called us all racist elitists for not respecting it within its genre, but I'm allowed to think it's lukewarm. (She's great- it was to stir up discussion).
Ton of lyric annotations, would be great for a fan. I really enjoyed his formal analysis of rap/hip hop and its evolution.
I'm reading it for class, and it's an interesting perspective, but I'm having trouble picking apart his multiple voices. Mainly that he's deliberately antagonistic in some spots, and I feel like I'm getting a few glimpses of the whole picture. It's only loosely chronological. I don't know. My professor called us all racist elitists for not respecting it within its genre, but I'm allowed to think it's lukewarm. (She's great- it was to stir up discussion).
jennyyates's review
4.0
This book was really a revelation to me. It opened up a whole new art form and made it more accessible to me. I was really pretty ignorant about rap music, so I appreciate this patient, articulate and sometimes inspiring book about it. Jay Z is a really good writer, and he bridges the worlds here.
Some of the book is his life story. But much of it is just the lyrics to his songs, with extensive footnotes which explain all the word-play, the slang, the allusions which I (for one) never would’ve figured out any other way. Jay Z was a hustler, growing up in the Brooklyn projects before becoming well-known as a rapper, and he not only describes the life, he delves into the moral and philosophical ambiguities of it in his writing and his songs.
The book can be heavy, and dense at times too. Jay Z uses graphics to break it up, to establish a rhythm that carries you along, and I can see how he does that in his songs as well.
Some of the book is his life story. But much of it is just the lyrics to his songs, with extensive footnotes which explain all the word-play, the slang, the allusions which I (for one) never would’ve figured out any other way. Jay Z was a hustler, growing up in the Brooklyn projects before becoming well-known as a rapper, and he not only describes the life, he delves into the moral and philosophical ambiguities of it in his writing and his songs.
The book can be heavy, and dense at times too. Jay Z uses graphics to break it up, to establish a rhythm that carries you along, and I can see how he does that in his songs as well.