Jay Z

Jay-Z AKA Shawn Corey Carter

 

Educational Background and Location

Trenton Central High School, Eli Whitney High School, New York (Brooklyn), New York City

Brief Personal Bio

Jay Z had a rough adolescence growing up in in Brooklyn's drug-infested Marcy Projects which inspired many of his songs. Jay Z participated in gun violence and dealt drugs but turned to rap as a means to escape the issues around him.

These are a Few of Their Favorite Things

  • Favorite Food‎--‎Pasta, Cereal

  • Favorite Sports Team‎--New York Jets

  • Favorite Movie‎-- ‎Godfather 2, True Romance

  • Favorite Color‎--‎Blue

Common Literary Elements/Structure/Themes in their Work

Jay Z's "maneuvers in the music business equate to the intricacy of the rhyme schemes employed in his lyrics...His wordplay is legendary...The complex way he uses double meanings and metaphors is spectacular".

Link to Matching PP Guides/Glossary Terms

http://www.powerpoetry.org/actions/5-tips-using-rhythm-and-rap

http://www.powerpoetry.org/actions/7-steps-addressing-post-racial-myth

http://www.powerpoetry.org/actions/7-tips-writing-rap

http://www.powerpoetry.org/poetry-terms/metaphor

http://www.powerpoetry.org/poetry-terms/imagery

http://www.powerpoetry.org/poetry-terms/repetition

http://www.powerpoetry.org/poetry-terms/synonym

What does it mean if you were matched to this artist? Why is it important?

When matched to Jay Z, you are matched to an artist who includes many of the similar techinques you put in your piece. For example, your piece may include valuable double meanings or metaphors that further advance your high levels of rhymic wordplay. These may be elements of your poem (or main elements). It is important to recognize the similarity you have to this artist because it helps you understand more of the style of your literary work. In this instance, your work would most likely contain techniques that are similar to Jay Z's and recognizing this could help to further develop your style and approach at writing poems.

Literary Value

Jay Z meticulously uses great amounts of wordplay and intricate rhyme schemes as well as double meanings and metaphors.

List of Albums / Artist Spotify Link

Reasonable Doubt, In My Lifetime, Hard Knock Life, Life and Times of S. Carter, The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, The Blueprint, The Blueprint 2, The Black Album, Kingdom Come, American Gangster, The Blueprint 3, Magna Carta...Holy Grail, 4:44

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3nFkdlSjzX9mRTtwJOzDYB

Social Handles (Links)

(deleted accounts)