Video: Jay-Z & Cornel West Discuss ‘Decoded’ w/ Paul Holdengräber in NYC

Dr. Cornel West, Jay-Z, Paul

Dr. Cornel West, Jay-Z, Paul Holdengräber

Last night I watched along with many others as one of the most intellectual discussions of Hip-hop transpired at the New York Public Library . The three men discussed in detail Jay-Z ‘s new book, Decoded and touched on other subjects along the way including love, politics, religion and Jay-Z forgiving his father for leaving. And in typical fashion, Dr. West had some interesting words for President Barack Obama and Oprah.

From following the #JayZandWestLive hashtag on Twitter the responses varied. Some were upset with Paul Holdengräber ‘s “need to catch-up” as someone who does not know the Hip-hop genre. Others found it refreshing to hear Jay-Z is such a candid exchange with a literary and socially active legend such as Dr. Cornel West . I found Holdengräber’s admitted ignorance to be what really fueled the conversation. Unlike most forums where Hip-hop is the topic, Holdengräber seemed to have very little judgement of a culture he was not previously exposed to – how often do we see that? I feel that the point of this discussion was to clear misconceptions from the minds of people who are both barely familiar and those who feel they know the whole story. Now, more than ever, I cannot wait to get my hands on Decoded .

At the New York Public Library, Jay-Z shared his thoughts on growing up as a hustler and feeling judged simply because of where he was from. He also addressed issues that informed him and his songwriting:

  • How did visual art and poetry influence his craft?
  • How did he get involved in politics when he never really trusted the system?
  • How did he stay honest to himself in the world of big business and how did he shed stereotypes when he’d been labeled one all his life?

Watch

WATCH THE FULL DISCUSSION

Some highlights:

  • Harry Belefonte was in the front row. Jay-Z said he was one of the artists that inspired him to be MORE than an artist.
  • “When you lift your voice, you can define your reality in the face of what other people are telling you.” – Dr. Cornel West
  • On Jay-Z’s difference of opinion from Oprah on the N-word: “Without intent, words are just some sort of symbols strung together…”
  • On his beliefs: “I believe in God”
  • On the internet & music industry: “the internet was a way for the music industry to purge itself”
  • “Love is a leap of faith.” – Dr. Cornel West
  • On Lauryn Hill ‘s decision to keep her son and the song “Zion”: “If someone is bold enough to tell you to abort your child to sell records, they will tell you anything.”

From Twitter:

  • “to see Jay-Z get affirmed and challenged by Dr. West is what love looks like” [email protected]
  • “This is a very insightful and enjoyable conversation between Jay Z, Cornel West and Paul Holdengräber” [email protected]
  • “it is good to hear Jay extoll the virtue of respecting our parents” [email protected]
  • “conversations like this need to take place more often” [email protected]

More about Decoded

Decoded is a narrative journey through the lyrics and life of one of the most prolific artists of our time. Jay-Z describes the meanings behind some of his most provocative songs and provides a highly personal narrative of the culture that so powerfully shaped his life and art.

“I saw the circle before I saw the kid in the middle. I was nine years old, the summer of 1978, and Marcy was my world.”

For Jay-Z, lyrics aren’t just about songs, they’re about life, and in Decoded he brings his own story to life, writing about his journey from Brooklyn’s notorious Marcy Projects to becoming a world-class artist, cultural icon, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.

“I went straight-stopped selling drugs-but I also didn’t accept the false choice between poverty and breaking the law.”

Get Decoded

Order ‘Decoded’ on Amazon

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