Jay-Z: Made In America

Really enjoyed it. This was what Jay-Z’s life and artistic canon deserved, but to date hasn’t gotten; a public intellectual of the caliber of Dyson recognizing its significance in American culture, political and social development from the late 90s to present day, and analyzing it with real nuance. Dyson touches so many corners of Carter’s journey, from his evolution sonically to his navigation of the business of music, to his corporate activism, philanthropy from criminal justice reform to Katrina and 9/11, to the complex relationships he had and has with rap predecessors and contemporaries.

For those looking for an actual biography, though, this isn’t it. And it might be fruitful to read more biographical literature of the man (though there is precious little that is objective and helpful) before getting into Dyson’s analysis.