Empire State Of Mind By Zack O’Malley Greenburg

Despite its eponymous subject's refusal to cooperate, Zach O’Malley Greenburg reports on the man behind the business - if the business and the man can be separated at all. In telling his story O’Malley interviewed important figures from Jay-Z’s past to present an investigative saga of Jay-Z’s rise from the projects of Brooklyn (his name is rumored to be a tribute to the J and Z trains) to his swanky Tribeca pent house the reported $34 million dollar annual income and world recognition as one of the biggest names in hip-hop that he now enjoys.

Although Jay-Z would not be interviewed for Empire State of Mind, Zach O’Malley Greenburg’s tenacious reporting reveals Shawn Corey Carter - the name used by those who knew him at every step of his upward climb - to be as business savvy as his lyrics would suggest he is street smart. Throughout this in-depth look, we hear from the DJ who introduced the hip-hop mogul to the music business, learn about Jay-Z’s forgotten mentors, and the successes (and failures) of his never ending entrepreneurial endeavors - crack slinging included. Of course, Beyonce fans have something to savor also as Greenburg covers Jay-Z’s relationship and marriage to the chart-topping female artist, as well.

If one thing is for certain, it is that Jay-Z knows how to make money. Anecdote after anecdote reveals the rapper’s keen eye for spotting a profit. Talent aside, Jay Z’s go-getting, entrepreneurial attitude has helped him create a brand (arguably a lifestyle) with wide-ranging appeal. Greenburg’s instructive narrative analyzes each major business move Jay-Z made to get to the top, revealing just how Jay-Z’s empire was built.

It’s a story told by a talented writer who has quite a bit of hustle himself. Greenburg weaves his impressive in-depth research into an entertaining story that never reads like a collection of hard-sought evidence, though hard-sought the evidence was. Greenburg even goes so far as to journey to France so as to trace any possible potential connections between the rapper and the Armand de Brignac champagne label he so often promotes in his music videos following his split from Cristal (a connection Jay Z has denied)!

It’s a must read for any budding entrepreneur. If you’re interested in branding, hip-hop, or Jay-Z’s metamorphosis from drug dealer to acclaimed lyricist, from mainstream hip-hop champion to seasoned business man, this is book is definitely worth its hardback price. If not just for it’s street cred-enhancing abilities.

Comments

If only I had time read...Jay-Z is the man. The Blueprint will always be his best album.

- Posted by GabrielaTilevitz @ 07/13/11, 12:08 pm

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Danielle Panabaker's Top Pop Picks
- Favorite Band: The Avett Brothers
  
  "I'm really into the Avett Brothers as of late."
- Favorite Book: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
  
  "My girlfriends are I - we are very nerdy. We started a book club and the first book we read was Gone Girl."
- Favorite New Movie: Silver Linings Playbook
  
  "I thought it was a great film and I thought Jennifer Lawrence was incredible, you know those angry tears, I've certainly experienced that."
Paul Van Dyk: Current Favorites
- School of the Seven Bells
  
  The New York-based band unites Benjamin Curtis of "Secret Machines" and Alejandra Deheza. Formed in 2007, the duo is named after a mythical South American pickpocket training academy of the same name.
- Linkin Park
  
  The Californian rock veterans have come a long way since 'Hybrid Theory.' Back now with their fifth studio album in over a decade, 'Living Things' is one of Paul Van Dyck's favorite albums this year.
- Jupiter Jones
  
  The German punk rock band formed in 2002, but has already released several LPs, including an eponymously-named album in 2011.
- Depeche Mode
  
  The legendary Essex electronic band from the 80s remains a classic for Van Dyk. It was also recently among 'Q' magazine's "50 Bands That Changed The World!".
Cody Simpson
- Favorite Movie
  I'm still really into the Ocean's series. I got into them recently. I was always too young to watch them.
- Favorite Book
  This book called Contest by Matthew Reilly, he's an Australian author.
- Favorite Album
  Drake's Take Care — big fan of that
- Favorite TV Show
  The Mentalist
Styx's Lawrence Gowan
- Bossypants by Tina Fey
  
  "That’s got me laughing hysterically on airplanes."
- Making Mirrors by Goyte
  
  "I thought that was a tremendous record."
- The Artist
  
  "It really impressed me."
- Keane
  
  "They’re really strong."
90210's Michael Steger: My Favorite Stuff
- Favorite TV Show: Rome
  
  HBO's series starring Cirian Hinds
- Favorite Album: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
  
  "Either that or The Gypsy Kings."
- Favorite Book: The Fountainhead
  
  "Probably my favorite book of all time."
- Favorite New Movie: Attack The Block
  
  “It reminded me of The Goonies.”