Jay-Z To Jon Stewart: Rap Is A 'Respectable Form Of Art' (VIDEO)

Jon Stewart invited Jay-Z on his show last night to chat about his debut book, "Decoded." The book features Warhol's Rorschach image on the cover, which Stewart commented represents the multiple sides of Jay-Z's persona, from businessman to rapper, from poet to author.

Stewart asked: "Is there a way you would like to be seen?"

"I care about the culture and about rap and it being a respectable form of art," Jay-Z said.

The two spoke about the evolution of rap and hip-hop culture, as Jay-Z explained how he came of age at the same time that rap began to gel as a genuine art form.

"Provocative, great rap was based on real life subjects and emotions and things like that," Jay-Z said.

What other details about the history of rap -- and the artist's own life -- can be found in his new book?