(Rapping) H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A. Not guilty, he who does not feel me is not real to me. But somehow, I beat them charges like Rocky. Haters want me clapped and chromed it ain't easy. Fo' sheezy my neezy keep my arms so breezy. Boy and we got rid of that dirt for them. Plus if they was short wit' cheese I would work wit' them. Was herbin' em in the home of the Terrapins. Fo' shizzle my nizzle used to dribble down in VA. You coulda been anywhere in the world, but you're here with me - I appreciate that. Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the eighth wonder of the world, The flow o' the century, oh it's timeless - HOVE! Thanks for comin' out tonight. (Rapping) H to the izz-o, V to the izz-A. JAY-Z: Ladies and gentlemen, let's put our hands together for the astonishing.

Let's start with one of his signature songs, 'Izzo (H.O.V.A.),' produced by Kanye West, from Jay-Z's 2001 album, 'The Blueprint.' He's the former president of Def Jam Records he's a part-owner of the NBA team the Brooklyn Nets and co-owns the sports bar 40/40 Club. Jay-Z co-founded the label Roc-A-Fella Records as well as the clothing company Rocawear. His recording with Alicia Keys, 'Empire State of Mind' - from his 2009 album, 'The Blueprint 3' - has become something of a New York anthem. 1 albums by a solo artist on the Billboard 200. 'Decoded' also tells the story of an assault case in which Jay-Z ultimately pled guilty to a misdemeanor, as well as the stories behind 36 of his songs. In his autobiography, 'Decoded,' Jay-Z offers his story as an example of the story of his generation, explaining the tough choices they faced at a violent and chaotic time.

Jay-Z watched crack cocaine destroy his neighborhood, but he sold it on the street before he found his new life in the recording studio and on stage. He was born in 1969, and grew up in a Brooklyn housing project.

Our guest, Jay-Z, has been incredibly successful as a rapper and an entrepreneur, which is pretty amazing since he could easily have been in prison or dead.

Decoded memoir