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Jay-Z: The King of America - Hardback
Author Mark Beaumont met and interviewed Jay Z in 2009 and many quotes from that interview feature in this biography. Also included are interviews with Kanye West, Chris Martin, Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, Damon Dash, Dr Dre, Rick Rubin and many others. This fascinating book details his early life, his father abandoning him, his accidental shooting of his brother and his delving into cocaine dealing. The book then moves on to the launch of his Roc-A-Fella record label and his subsequent album releases including the platinum selling In My Life and Hard Knock Life as well as his alleged involvement in the stabbing of record executive Lance Riviera, the trial and his three year probation sentence. Details how he became the CEO of Def Jam Recordings (one of his first signings was Rihanna). Also examines his high-profilerelationship and marriage to Beyoncé Knowles. Features an in-depth look into his entrepreneurial skills from launching his own Rocawear clothing and accessories line, his New York club 40/40 and his rumoured investments in real estate and football clubs and brings the story right up to date to include his performance at Glastonbury in 2008, the Haiti aid single Stranded , his concerts with Eminem, his Watch The Throne EP release with Kanye West and his supporting U2 on their World Tour.
350 pages, Hardcover
First published September 19, 2012
11 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Mark Beaumont
8 books4 followersA contributor to such titles as The Times, Shortlist, The Guardian and Uncut, Beaumont's writings have predominantly appeared in the NME where he has written numerous reviews and interviews since 1995 and has also functioned as the magazine's letters and singles page editor. Considered by NME editor Conor McNicholas one of the title's "star" writers, Beaumont has frequently been assigned the task of reviewing latest releases and gigs from high-profile artists Arctic Monkeys, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Coldplay and Muse.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 21, 2017
Now, I went for this book as I know remarkably little about Jay Z. I had hoped that the title of the book - The King of America - was a little ironic, and that this would be a critical look at what it took for Jay Z to rise out of the Projects, and the challenges and battles he had to get accepted, as well as his own personal battles with his past and his responsibilities. Sadly, that's not really what this book is. Instead, this is sycophantic with little insight into the real Jay Z.
The book seems largely cribbed from interviews Jay has given over the years, including to the author. All this information was, therefore, pretty much in the public domain anyway. This is a very superficial overview of Jay's life - from his early days selling drugs in the project and down the East Coast, before building on his obvious rap potential, moving into music and his various battles with former friends as well as the West Coast.
No insight is brought to bear, even when change is noted - for example, the author states that the friendship with the Obamas has cooled, but never explains why. Similarly, there is no insight into his relationship with Beyonce, and I don't mean the gossip. There is nothing here about how their partnership works, the challenges they've faced, what they bring out in each other.
Everything here just skims the surface, sadly.
Further, the author is clearly in thrall of Jay Z. He writes as if Jay was destined for greatness from the moment he was born, but that's ridiculous. We all benefit and lose out from opportunities and connections. But rather than analyse what put Jay in the right place and right time, even though his talent may have been clear, he prefers to write as if Jay's success was inevitable.
I'm afraid i didn't come out from this particularly illuminated.
The book seems largely cribbed from interviews Jay has given over the years, including to the author. All this information was, therefore, pretty much in the public domain anyway. This is a very superficial overview of Jay's life - from his early days selling drugs in the project and down the East Coast, before building on his obvious rap potential, moving into music and his various battles with former friends as well as the West Coast.
No insight is brought to bear, even when change is noted - for example, the author states that the friendship with the Obamas has cooled, but never explains why. Similarly, there is no insight into his relationship with Beyonce, and I don't mean the gossip. There is nothing here about how their partnership works, the challenges they've faced, what they bring out in each other.
Everything here just skims the surface, sadly.
Further, the author is clearly in thrall of Jay Z. He writes as if Jay was destined for greatness from the moment he was born, but that's ridiculous. We all benefit and lose out from opportunities and connections. But rather than analyse what put Jay in the right place and right time, even though his talent may have been clear, he prefers to write as if Jay's success was inevitable.
I'm afraid i didn't come out from this particularly illuminated.
November 8, 2018
2.5 stars
This is not a well written book. It gleans the information from interviews and press already out there. For me it is worth reading as I'm a fan of Jay-Z's music and fascinated by his rags to riches story and the changes he has brought to the music business. Only a die hard fan would really enjoy this book.
This is not a well written book. It gleans the information from interviews and press already out there. For me it is worth reading as I'm a fan of Jay-Z's music and fascinated by his rags to riches story and the changes he has brought to the music business. Only a die hard fan would really enjoy this book.
November 10, 2013
Not what I expected. A lot of factual mistakes, even some embarrassing ones. Plus, not much information that average Jay Z fan wouldn't know about earlier. Definitely not recommended for fans.
June 30, 2013
The authors only interviewed Jay-Z once and only for a short time. Beaumont states that he used interviews others reported on and news stories to gather his information. This account of Jay-Z's life gives the details that any fan would already know. I wanted more...
June 11, 2013
Very poorly researched and often poorly wrote.
February 4, 2018
Now, I went for this book as I know remarkably little about Jay Z. I had hoped that the title of the book - The King of America - was a little ironic, and that this would be a critical look at what it took for Jay Z to rise out of the Projects, and the challenges and battles he had to get accepted, as well as his own personal battles with his past and his responsibilities. Sadly, that's not really what this book is. Instead, this is sycophantic with little insight into the real Jay Z.
The book seems largely cribbed from interviews Jay has given over the years, including to the author. All this information was, therefore, pretty much in the public domain anyway. This is a very superficial overview of Jay's life - from his early days selling drugs in the project and down the East Coast, before building on his obvious rap potential, moving into music and his various battles with former friends as well as the West Coast.
No insight is brought to bear, even when change is noted - for example, the author states that the friendship with the Obamas has cooled, but never explains why. Similarly, there is no insight into his relationship with Beyonce, and I don't mean the gossip. There is nothing here about how their partnership works, the challenges they've faced, what they bring out in each other.
Everything here just skims the surface, sadly.
Further, the author is clearly in thrall of Jay Z. He writes as if Jay was destined for greatness from the moment he was born, but that's ridiculous. We all benefit and lose out from opportunities and connections. But rather than analyse what put Jay in the right place and right time, even though his talent may have been clear, he prefers to write as if Jay's success was inevitable.
I'm afraid i didn't come out from this particularly illuminated.
The book seems largely cribbed from interviews Jay has given over the years, including to the author. All this information was, therefore, pretty much in the public domain anyway. This is a very superficial overview of Jay's life - from his early days selling drugs in the project and down the East Coast, before building on his obvious rap potential, moving into music and his various battles with former friends as well as the West Coast.
No insight is brought to bear, even when change is noted - for example, the author states that the friendship with the Obamas has cooled, but never explains why. Similarly, there is no insight into his relationship with Beyonce, and I don't mean the gossip. There is nothing here about how their partnership works, the challenges they've faced, what they bring out in each other.
Everything here just skims the surface, sadly.
Further, the author is clearly in thrall of Jay Z. He writes as if Jay was destined for greatness from the moment he was born, but that's ridiculous. We all benefit and lose out from opportunities and connections. But rather than analyse what put Jay in the right place and right time, even though his talent may have been clear, he prefers to write as if Jay's success was inevitable.
I'm afraid i didn't come out from this particularly illuminated.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews