his week we will be discussing the first half (Part I and II) of Jay Z’s book Decoded. There are a few things I would like us to consider as we explore this text.

1) What is the “hustler’s story” and why does Jay Z think it’s such an important hip hop narrative? How does this narrative compare with and draw upon other American mythologies, literary or otherwise?

2) What are your first impressions of the FORM of this book? Think about the photos, layout and overall composition. How does it reflect and/or support the story that Jay Z is trying to tell? Go beyond saying you like or don’t like the form of the book. Explain it as if you are talking to someone who has not seen the book. Bring the reader into your vision of the text. We all see things differently, and I’d like you to articulate your viewpoint. If you are reading an electronic version of the book (and it’s not the enhanced version), please either go to the library or a bookstore to see a physical copy of the text. If you do have the enhanced version, please give us your impressions of that form. Your experience with the text will be different from those who have a hard copy.

Finally, please view this interview Jay Z did with Charlie Rose at the Brooklyn Museum….

Part 1:
Links to an external site.https://charlierose.com/videos/12884 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Part 2:

https://charlierose.com/videos/18505 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.