Jay-Z
Made in America
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Jay-Z
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Narrated by:
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Michael Eric Dyson
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Nick Cannon
About this listen
This program is read by the author, and includes an introduction written by Pharrell, and read by Nick Cannon.
"Dyson's incisive analysis of Jay-Z's brilliance not only offers a brief history of hip-hop's critical place in American culture, but also hints at how we can best move forward." (Questlove)
Jay-Z: Made in America is the fruit of Michael Eric Dyson’s decade of teaching the work of one of the greatest poets this nation has produced, as gifted a wordsmith as Walt Whitman, Robert Frost and Rita Dove. But as a rapper, he’s sometimes not given the credit he deserves for just how great an artist he’s been for so long.
This audiobook wrestles with the biggest themes of Jay-Z's career, including hustling, and it recognizes the way that he’s always weaved politics into his music, making important statements about race, criminal justice, Black wealth, and social injustice. As he enters his 50s, and to mark his 30 years as a recording artist, this is the perfect time to take a look at Jay-Z’s career and his role in making this nation what it is today. In many ways, this is Jay-Z’s America as much as it’s Pelosi’s America, or Trump’s America, or Martin Luther King’s America. Jay-Z has given this country a language to think with and words to live by.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2019 Michael Eric Dyson (P)2019 Macmillan AudioListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
Named a November must-read by Salon | A The Washington Post 50 notable works of nonfiction in 2019 | Detroit Free Press' Holiday gift guide 2019: The best books that will inspire and delight readers
"This book is a long look into hip-hop’s critical place in culture. Dyson reveals the role of politics, criminal justice and social change in the words and music of Jay-Z." (Detroit Free Press)
"Under Dyson’s guidance, to read about Jay-Z is to learn not just about the journey and works but also about ourselves, our history, our world, and our way forward... we are sitting in a classroom under the spell of a captivating teacher." (Library Journal, Starred Review)
"[An] astute cultural biography... Dyson’s excellent study serves as a succinct blueprint of Jay-Z’s artistry and legacy." (Publishers Weekly)
What listeners say about Jay-Z
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Taj
- 21-09-22
Real Recognises Real
I was brought a little closer to the man called Sean Carter Jay hyphen Z. A very interesting and page turning book..
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Edgar Mugarura
- 02-01-20
Amazing piece of work
I was already a huge fan of Hov (some would say a Stan) but this had so many gems that I’d never noticed or put together.
This book has given me an ever greater appreciation of Jay’s craft, his moves and what he stands for.
Finally the book was made even better by Michael Eric Dyson’s narration, he brought it all to life. Massive respect to him as always.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- NR
- 10-12-21
brilliant read
wasn't sure what to expect, but was a brilliant book which I definitely plan to read again.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Moveazy
- 14-08-22
Interesting
When I got this book I didn’t know what to expect.
I think this book eloquently describes Jay Z pass and presents as well sheds a deeper understanding on songs and lyrics
However there is a lot of meat riding and performance sounds very matter of fact and preachy at times
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Phil
- 27-05-23
Just got my credit back
Let me tell you something - I am not going to pay to hear someone's marketing.
I really hoped - and I would love to read or hear about - the truth behind this incredibly interesting man. Shawn Carter (Jay-Z) is a fascinating man, hugely successful, but without doubt he also has a dark side. We have seen the hints of it and he has even rapped about it.
This, though, from the moment you hear Pharrell Williams begin to stretch himself with his compliments and praise in the most exaggerated fashion - you know what this is all about. This is well approved, safe material as far as 'Jay-Z' is concerned.
The narrator has a preaching style and elevates the purpose of the narrative to creating an idol that has brought black identity forward, improved black culture, opened doors for others, laid a path for people to follow... Ok, at times all this stuff might be true, but that's not what motivated Jay-Z to rap. He was dealing crack and he dealt crack to make money. He moved to rap because someone convinced him that he could do better in that game and it didn't have all the inherent risks attached to moving kilos. Let's get real - Jay-Z - for all he has achieved in business and in music has also fostered and given a home to racism, to antisemitism, to homophobia, to toxic masculinity, to misogyny - in his rhymes. People might say that he has helped to reclaim the N word - but he certainly has used the N word to describe a lot of black people (and that means something - you decide if it's ok).
I was hoping for objectivity and an account that didn't get preoccupied by his financial success and his media influence. I should've known better. This aint it.
BTW - I've bought albums, I have a Rocawear cap, I've seen him in concert in London when he toured the Black Album - there is a lot that I love and admire about Jay-Z (tremendous performer, incredible creator). I'm just objective enough to know that there's a lot that I don't, and him being rich doesn't change that or influence my attitude towards that.
PS: I'm not Kanye.
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