Shawn Carter, known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. He was named the greatest rapper of all time by Billboard and Vibe in 2023.
Jay-Z: "America, please read 'Between The World and Me' by Ta-Nehisi Coates"
Jack Dorsey says this book had a major influence on him.
Bob Iger recommended this book in 2016.
Jay-Z: "This epic poem was kind of difficult for me to get through, but it has a beautiful rhythm.
I got lost in reading about Odysseus' struggle to get home and his longing for someone so strong, as his wife was, waiting for him. That's like a dream—that kind of strength, love, loyalty."
Michael Pollan: "... And not just because there are so many great barbecue scenes. (Henry Fielding called The Odyssey 'Homer’s wonderful book about eating', and wasn’t too far off.) But there’s lots to learn about story structure too, and why it’s often a good idea to begin in the middle."
Stewart Brand included 'The Odyssey' as one of the essential books to maintain, extend, and re-create what humans have achieved thus far.
Jay-Z: "This book is about the principles of timing and repetition—about preparing yourself for luck, really.
He talks about a hockey team, and how the players born in January had a year up on the guys born in December. They were fortunate that their birthday was early, but they also practiced—they put the work in.
The book resonated with me because I was born at a time when there was an influx of incredible music into the culture, and I was lucky that my mom and pop were huge record collectors."
Joe Rogan: "It's fucking great, and it's all about what makes people successful, and why they were successful."
LeBron James: “The minute I met Rich, I knew he was different. . . . [He] helped me find my strength. Rich’s superpower is understanding what people truly need. So when you flip these pages and witness the kind of pain we felt growing up, don’t flinch. Hard truths make us stronger.”
Jay-Z: “This book is an American tale of ‘against all odds’—and I believe young people in similar environments will see themselves in _Lucky Me, _one of the greatest stories of growing up in America’s ghettos and overcoming adversity.”
Jay-Z: "This is straight marketing advice: Your product has to be a purple cow—it has to be distinct to have any success. You have to be clear on your product: What are you? What are you putting out there?"
Joe Gebbia: "I feel like that concept [of being distinct enough that people want to talk about it] was imbued into the early days of Airbnb"
Jay-Z: "There are two books that I absolutely live my life by. This is one of them. Growing up, I was always curious about religion.
This book made the most sense to me; it's about the way you live your life."
Jay-Z: "This is the other book I live by."
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