Decoded by Jay-Z

Questions Part I

Study Guide and Discussion Questions

  1. What do you suppose a labyrinth is when Jay Z writes, “Housing projects can seem like labyrinths...”? (pg. 3)
  2. What do you suppose Jay Z means in his opening line when he says, “ I saw the circle before I saw the kid in the middle”? (pg. 3)
  3. What simile does Jay Z compare housing projects too? Why is this an effective simile? (pg. 3)
  4. Jay Z uses the metaphor “Bed Stuy was my country, Brooklyn my planet”. What does he mean about the relationship he had with New York?
  5. What does he mean when he says “the unpredictability was one of the things we counted on”? Who or what is he referring to?
  6. What impact did Slate have on Jay Z’s hip hop beginnings?
  7. When Jay Z talks about Jaz on page 5, he mentions recording his voice and playing it back and hearing the distortion in his voice. What opening did Jay Z see in this?
  8. Why was it so important to Jay Z that rap “stayed lyrical”? (pg 7)
  9. He writes, “Hip Hop was looking for a narrative too (pg 7)” What does this mean?
  10. He remembers Run DMC being “definitive”. Explain.
  11. On page 9, what impact did “Rock It” and “Perfect Beat” have on Jay Z at the time ?
  12. What was it about Run DMC’s rhymes appealed to Jay Z?
  13. According to Jay Z, how did Run DMC shape the future of hip hop? (pg 10)
  14. What was missing from rap, according the Jay Z? (pg 10)
  15. According to Jay Z, what is it that makes rap special and different from other forms of music and written poetry?
  16. What’s the difference between beat and flow?
  17. Why was crack a game changer in society?
  18. What does “proliferation” mean? (pg 13)
  19. On page 15, he tells the horrible story of his friend Dee Dee. After seeing first hand what happened to him, why do you suppose Jay Z didn’t stop this kind of lifestyle?
  20. How was Rakim different from Kane in his impact on Jay Z?
  21. Jay Z talks about some of raps greats like Public Enemy, NWA, and KRS One. He says “I loved it on a visceral level, but it wasn’t my story to tell”. (17) What does he mean?
  22. What was Jay Z’s main reason to fall into rap?
  23. What did Jay Z want to accomplish in rap?
  24. How is hustling the ultimate metaphor for the basic human struggles?
  25. Who are Kareem Burke and Damon Dash? (22)
  26. Who was Che Guevera (look up on internet)? Why would the reporter ask he felt funny about wearing it?
  27. What are the similarities between Che and Jay Z?
  28. In what ways is rap similar to a sonnet?
  29. According to Jay Z, explain why he wore the Che shirt (27)
  30. On page 41 Jay Z refers to Bleek as one who “got full real quick”. What does this metaphor mean?
  31. What are the similarities between war and the streets?
  32. On page 54 Jay Z discusses why hip hop is controversial. Explain what he is saying. Do you agree or disagree?
  33. What are some key components of a good MC on page 54?
  34. What does he mean when he says “being misunderstood is a almost a badge of honor in rap”?
  35. How does Jay Z explain being misunderstood because of race?
  36. What is Jay Z referring to when he discusses the “masks”
  37. What is the value of “the feint” in hip hop?