Porcelain by Moby and Decoded By Jay-Z

Introduction

Persona is a narrative production that depicts a picture of a character consisting of many components, which can be expertise or modeled by the personality of the narrator that was created by the powers present in the narration’s production. Moby and Jay-autobiographies Z’s are Porcelain and Decoded. Childhood influenced the public image of both stories in both common and dissimilar ways. Moby and Jay-Z both went through similar experiences that allowed them to become who they are today. The two men are famous musicians both from poor families but later turned to be rich and famous people in the entertainment industry. Generally, this paper is a compare and contrast essay on how childhood shaped the public persona in Decoded and Porcelain.

Childhood Conditions and Experiences of Jay-Z and Moby

Jay-Z grew up in New York, a city that was poor and full of evil activities, while Moby was from Connecticut. Moby grew up during the period when New York was known as the city of Palladium. The city was so evil. Drug trafficking and selling was very dominant in town. Dance type music was still not well recognized in the city with only the African Americans and Latinos who were working being its lover. Jay-Z grew up under the same conditions of New York City. He had to face and experience the hard life of New York. To worsen his situation, he had to go through such hostile conditions and situations without a father figure. His father deserted him when he was still young (Noble 191). Basically, both Jay-Z and Moby understand the evil and deprived scenes of New York either directly or indirectly. Through their experience the reader sees the character of Jay-Z being fearless and responsible at his childhood. These characters are seen when he decides to sell cocaine in the streets when he was 12 years old so that he could survive.

Themes of Drug Abuse and Religion in Jay-Z and Moby’s Childhood

Jay-Z’s childhood brings the theme of drug abuse while that of Moby clearly portrays the theme of religion. The selling of cocaine and other drugs in the streets of New York show that the citizens, especially the youths, were so much into drugs. On the other hand, Moby’s childhood life shows the real life of a believer or Christian. Though not explained in details, one may easily conclude that Moby loved doing right things and never wanted to have issues with other people. He could also not make it in New York because people there were not living their lives to the standards of a Christian.

Different Upbringings of Jay-Z and Moby

The two artists grew up to tally different. Jay-Z grew up as a gangster while Moby grew up as a believer. Moby was a dedicated Christian. Basically, how someone is brought out matters a lot. The childhood experience of Jay-Z made him to be strong in the New York scene while that of Moby made him be weak and fragile in the same city. Moby grew up as a polite guy who could even be spat on and do nothing but clearly New York was not for such kinds of people. New York needed tough guys who keep pushing for what they want and are ready to deal with anyone standing on their way. For instance, Jay-Z shot his brother when he was 12 years old because he had stolen from him (Noble 193).

Success Shaped by Childhood Experiences

The childhood life of an individual shapes his or her success. Since Moby grew up in the Christianity ways, he did not have to cause drama or do controversial things so that he can succeed. God was always there for him and he smoothly found his way towards his success. On the other hand, Jay-Z has been so dramatic and victim of illegal activities as he found his way towards his success. For instance, he started selling cocaine in the streets at a tender age of about twelve years. He later describes himself as a drug hustler when he took over the duties of Stagger Lee, the first gangster of black.

Experience of Racism in Childhood

In the contemporary United States racism has greatly been reduced but back then in the 19th century racism was still a big problem among the citizens of America (Noble 191). The whites discriminated the blacks and thought that they were more superior. Therefore, the blacks had to survive and struggle for their success since they were always considered as losers. Jay-Z and Moby experienced the situation of racism during their childhood. Jay-Z is a black while Moby is a white. It is appropriate that Jay-Z had to try all means possible to prosper in life so that he can somehow be powerful like the whites. Wealthy people and families were known to be very influential and highly respected in the old America.

Impact of Childhood Environment on Success

Most individuals are known to be successful in environments that are either similar or related to the ones they grew in. Jay-Z grew up in New York and made it in the same city while Moby grew in Connecticut and had a temporary success in New York. Moby could not sustain his success which led to his downfall. Jay-Z was able to sustain his success since he is familiar with everything going on in the New York City. Statistics even confirm that he is among the best black businessmen in the nation. Forbes recently approximated his present net worth at 450 million dollars. Moby’s success was kind of shameful to him because New York City had totally different lifestyle to that of Connecticut where he spent his childhood life.

Impact of Childhood on Career Choices

Childhood experiences and lifestyle can make an individual either continue with his career or drop it. Moby considered ending his career since he felt it was not putting him in his right position. On the other hand, Jay-Z went through a difficult childhood life and knows that the only way of avoiding such a life is by being consistent in your hustle (Noble 192). Therefore, he has never considered ending his music career but instead putting more effort into it. Likely, Moby would not have ended his if he had experienced a tougher childhood lifestyle. However, the Christianity type of childhood plays a big role here. Since Moby grew up as a God-fearing person, he always questioned his deeds and always wanted to do what is right before God even if it means ending his career.

Similarities in Jay-Z and Moby’s Childhood

Jay-Z and Moby have two main similarities in how their childhood shaped the public persona. In both stories, the childhood kept the persona imaging the poor conditions that they experienced. Both Jay-Z and Moby were raised up in poor families. Moby is referred to as skinny during his childhood. The public persona can thus relate that Moby had food issues since their family was poor. Jay-Z came from the poor parts of New York (Noble 191). He started hustling as early as twelve years old so that he could survive. He had to provide for himself because his dad had neglected him. Basically, both Jay-Z and Moby know the meaning of poverty through experience. This is a source of encouragement to readers whose current position resembles what is mentioned in the story. They gain the belief that one day they will also make it just the same way as Jay-Z, despite their childhood.

Impact of Childhood on Success and Destiny

The second similarity is that both Jay-Z and Moby made it at one point in life yet from different childhood. This fact encourages readers not to complain about their childhood but instead find a way of making it. It does not matter whether one chooses to go the dramatic like Jay-Z or the non-dramatic way like Moby. It also does not matter how long someone takes before being successful but instead concentrates on doing what you love and one day the outcomes will be noticed. Jay-Z started hustling at a very tender age but he did not give up until he made it. Ones childhood does not determine their destiny.

Conclusion

Finally, the two autobiographies can be compared and contrasted with regards to different aspects. This has compared and contrasted with regards to their childhood. Both Jay-Z and Moby were raised in poor families, therefore had tough childhoods. Jay-Z spent his childhood in New York City while Moby spent his childhood in Connecticut.

Work Cited

Noble, Demetrius. “Decoded by Jay Z.” African American Review 46.1 (2013): 191-194.