A Genius Leaves the Hood: The Unauthorized Story of Jay Z

On the surface, 'A Genius Leaves the Hood' chronicles how hip-hop's most successful rapper of the past two decades reached the top; but at its core, the film attempts to divulge the savvy and cunning business acumen of a mogul who decided that being at the top of the charts wasn't enough. This unauthorized biography explores the mind of a man who never played by the rules and admits it, uncovering the price Mr. Carter paid for his success through recent controversies including the racial debate of the Barneys deal, feud with Harry Belafonte and clashes with community activists over the construction of the Barclay Center. The film also explores rumors of association with the Illuminati, a highly publicized separation from the Roc-A-Fella crew, his estranged relationship with rapping mentor Jaz-O, and break up with business partner Damon Dash.

Directed by —, A Genius Leaves the Hood: The Unauthorized Story of Jay Z leans on a strong ensemble — Jonathan Burks, Bobbito Garcia, Boyce Watkins — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 2014.