- This is the intimate, first-person chronicle of the life and work of Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter in Brooklyn"s notorious Marcy Projects, now known to many as the greatest rapper alive. Told through lyrics, images and personal narrative, Decoded shares the story of Jay-Z"s life through the 10 codes that define him, giving an unparalleled insight into his background, influences and the artistic process that shapes his work. Each chapter features a highly personal narrative section followed by a visually captivating selection of his most famous and provocative lyrics underlining the chapter"s themes, along with Jay-Z"s own "decoding" of each lyric, uncovering the wordplay and stories behind the song. This is a brilliant insight into the art and poetry of hip-hop, as well as the life of one of the genre"s greatest artists.