Bossip | Gossip for the Hardcore | Black Celebrity & Entertainment News

Sorta looks like Ms. Jay from ANTM…

DAMN! That’s messed up!

These two don’t look anything alike. First off the picture on the left is of a handsome black man and the one on the right… (maybe I shoudn’t go there).

This is probably from someone who thinks all Blacks look alike.

h to the hizzle

I can see how they came to that conclusion-they’re both ugly as hell so it makes sense to me….whats the problem?

omg

wtf?!?! i had to read that book in undergrad for an African history class… why would you have somebody else’s picture on a autobiography?? or are we just supposed to envision Jay-z going through middle passage? is that supposed to make it more real for the kids?? FAIL

damn I had to look and read that again

Huh? I heard of re-writing history, but this is ridiculous.

Damn! I reread this like 18 times…

That looks just like hova…

Wow
Whats next a new book release about Harriet Tubman and a pic of Beyonce on the cover???
Somebody needs more ppl

I remember reading Olaudah Equiano when I was 10…interesting guy. This guy was equipped with the skills to do anything…

And he could navigate ships…what a beast…

Heeeeeeeey Re:)

Smooveeeeee, hey lovely.

LOL @ Beyonce in the place of Hariet…this story gets one big SMH.

Damn Re now that u mention it Hov does look a lil like Olaudah Equiano…wow

*Harriet*

What they’re trying to do is get kids to read, by puttin’ Jay on the cover at least it’ll draw some interest from them, they’ll pick up the book and look at it, I dont know if the lil bastards will open the book though.

@Smoovee

LOL, I meant the new cover is exactly like hova…who knows what Oluadah really looked like…

I mean Hov is a great in his own right u know…les not get outta control with our black history:)
Seriously thats just a lil extra

lol

His face is so

6am, who else?

lmaoooooooo that looks horrible.

Bwahahahahahahhaaaa!

good morning everyone!

@6am

That was so disrespectful I’m not even going to respond. How you going to address somebody like that?

“Through age ten or eleven he was rooted in the cultural, spiritual, economic, religious and political customs of this charming fruitful vail, which he describes as ‘a nation of dancers, musicians, and poets.”

Based on that, I think Nas would have been a better example than Jay-Z. Or anyone else!

Hi Aunt Viv/Lady A:)

Like what? i as an american want to know what you and your people plan to do about these damn pirates?

Like, “eff you Re.”

What happened to “hey” “hello” “what’s up”…you know, things of that nature. Lol…I know you’re animated but damn, I am a woman…

And I plan to do nothing…as for the Ethiopians, who knows. We don’t own Somalians, and we have bad-blood between us anyway…

I guess everyone has there own taste because I think Jay-Z is just wonderful I dont give a damn about he used to sell drugs so what I smoke weed so whats the problem? I also love Jay-Z lips how do yall want his lips to look like Donald Trump lips? And I believe Jay smells good he looks like it.

I guess they wanted to draw some attention to the book but I never heard of putting someone else on the cover of an autobiography..that is just crazy.

I really don’t see in parallels in their lives other than persistance.

All black people do NOT look alike

@me (the original)® Sensual Sickness

Well said my dear! Two different and contradictory figures. I do not approve this picture!

@Be
I guess they wanted to draw some attention to the book but I never heard of putting someone else on the cover of an autobiography..that is just crazy.

I really don’t see in parallels in their lives other than persistance.

—————————-

It says a lot about society when historical figures on books are switched out for pop icons just to get more people to read it. What next: Beyonce on the cover of a book about Harriet Tubman?

Uh, then there are quite a few people in NYC lying about doing stuff for him regarding the drug game.

@This – It says a lot about society when historical figures on books are switched out for pop icons just to get more people to read it. What next: Beyonce on the cover of a book about Harriet Tubman?

******************
If they were going to use someone else I think they should have used an educational role model..use Obama but Jay Z was a far stretch. I am not knocking Jay z for his accomplishments but this was just not good.

they should of used Mike from day 26 they look very much alike

imo

damn yall are some educated negroes…lol
that cant be the real copy…cant be..

Thanks Pedro!! I’m good

its aight

LoL @ John Hope Franklin

Equiano was required reading for the Bison freshman. Blame Howard University.

@lady next door
And these are the sad times that we live in what a great man that has really rose above being in hell to have a rapper on the cover of his book because people look up to him that don’t know their history.

that pic is as funny as hell and it looks like hov in real life.. cant stop laughing…

Goes to show how stupid people are. Because Gay Z has money he should be respected…total bullshit. What a disprespect to put his face there instead of Mr. Equianoh dignified face.

@dicooper
hell it was at morehouse too…lol

smdh
wtf!

BE has a valid point, too..

I can’t think of ONE biography that has a picture of someone else on the cover in lieu of the person who the book is about.

Seriously, people should complain about this.

@john and DI Cooper

It was at Univ. of MD Eastern Shore as well…

LMBAO @ Ms. Jay. Indeed!

@Mickey

I have to shake my head for black people. We need to do better.

@re
how are you so up on x-men?? sexist me thinkin’ only us men read comics as kids…
you might be a keeper…lol(smile)

Putting Jay Z on the cover of this book is blasphemous and should be outlawed. When will this man and his wife stop “snaking around” and aligning themselves with “greatness” in the hope that it will “rub off by association” and actually step up to the plate and create something worthwhile themselves?

Jay Z was a drug dealer and abusively manhandled a woman in public. He and his camp have tried to sell a number of stories to the public to try to whitewash his behavior and choices. Do not be lead by the nose – he did it and the end does not justify the means in his case.

Jay Z might be more successful in his attempts to be seen as a respectable human being if he simply “manned up” and told kids not to emulate his poor choices – as any true role model would.

For the record: I do not begrudge ANYONE achieving success – as I have been very successful and financially blessed all my life however, I will not “dummy down” and be apathetic when I see people being sold a bill of goods. It is wrong – plain and simple and as I have stated in the past, one has to stand for something (no exceptions or excuses).

Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think Jay-Z’s picture on the cover of this book is to compare the two at all. In fact I think it’s the opposite. I think they are showing the differences and the struggles of what being Black used to be and who we looked up to(Equiano, Woodson, Douglas, etc..) compared to where we are today, and who influences us (Jay-Z, Diddy, etc..).

@john hope franklin

Hmm, good question! Well, I used to read ALOT…like, EVERYTHING…including the labels on the back of Air Freshning spray cans…

Anyway, my elementary school used to give out comic books at lunch, and I guess you can say it started from there. I have too much imagination anyway…

@ Taking a Stand

I feel down right HORRIBLE for saying this…but it has to be said (Sorry Jay, I still love you) but you are right HE DOES LOOK LIKE MS JAY FROM ANTM! LMOA!!

Looks just like the runway extroidainaire…lol too funny…

Maybe JZ is Olaudah Equiano reincarnated? See it took real genius to think of that. But why does he have to have red lipstick on?

Jay Z doesn’t need his image distorted at all. Uggh!

Is this what he have to look up to now how much a man makes. The almighty dollar. What about having respect for the non famous man that gets up every morning and goes to work to take care of his family. Or the grandparents that are taking care of the grandkids because their parent can’t. Come on now we can do so much better then this. And no i’m not hate jay but damn look a lil deeper people shit!

This is the STRANGEST thing that I have seen in a while

WHO ELSE replaces the image of their HISTORICAL FIGURES with RAP ARTISTES.

Is this GOING TO happen with OTHER books

NEXT it will be SOULJAH BOY

This really is a JOKE

JAY Z should not have allowed his IMAGE to be used for SUCH

In doing SO he has RENDERED a great DESERVICE to the Black American community

@bb
i agree!! i agree…

@Roe Ski Love

I’m so sorry I never responded on the “Shorty Swing My Way” thread…I had to go to class…but thank you a million times over. I was very touched…

what kind of f*ckery is this?!? I want the original! I love some Jay Z, but he in no ways compares to what Equiano did.

Olaudah Equiano = Dwayne Wade

Olaudah & Dwayne coulda been brothers

i better get another copy before this garbage makes print…

And…..(with 5 dots)

Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think Jay-Z’s picture on the cover of this book is to compare the two at all. In fact I think it’s the opposite

That’s deep. Do you think that the comparision displays JZ in a negative way?

Sad… just sad.

Is it me or is that Lil’ Wayne on the left???

@Wenzel Dashington

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my word, that really does look like Weezy. God forgive me for the insult…

This some shhhh…

And…..(with 5 dots)

Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think Jay-Z’s picture on the cover of this book is to compare the two at all. In fact I think it’s the opposite

That’s deep. Do you think that the comparision displays JZ in a negative way?
___________________________
ABSOLUTELY! If you look at the picture, he’s in “white face” and red lips indicating to me that he (and others like him who have made it) has “sold out” to the establishment, which is pretty much how a lot of Blacks succeed today. This goes against the grain of abolitionist and the old freedom fighters like Olaudah. I don’t think by putting Jay-Z on the cover is indicating that Jay-Z and Olaudah are one in the same, but more along the lines of where we were in the past (i.e. freedom fighters) vs where we are in the present (i.e. sell-outs). That’s my take on it.

SMDH!!!!!!!!!!! ARTISTS will b artists.. LMAO!!!!!!

While JAY Z might SEEM like some kind of “HEROIC FIGURE” to some

A VITAL point is being missed here.

This is the AUTOBIOGRAPHY of a Black American ancestor.

You live in a country where MANY do not believe that you have any kind of TANGIBLE history

Putting the IMAGES of RAPPERS and CARTOON CHARACTERS on Black Autobiogaphies will not help that PERCEPTION

I really cant believe they have a story worthy of discussion. but they want us to discuss HOV’s approval???!!!

To Mmmm, so good you’ll lick the wrapper @ 1:39 pm:

The fact that Jay Z was a drug dealer and publicly abused a female in the past is relevant today because he now tries to whitewash it and pretend it is not a reality. Further, I do not believe being a ghetto kid, etc. is justification for choosing to regularly indulge in, and profit from, illegal activity that ruins and ends lives – particularly when he seemingly exists in a state of denial and delusion about it rather than responsibly step up and man up to his own poor choices, and in so doing set an admirable example to impressionable youth and redeem himself. How he now chooses to handle what he did in the past makes all the difference. As I said previously, aligning himself with “greatness” in the hope that it will “rub off by association” only fools those who are in need of enlightenment – enter blogging.

I hardly blame Jay Z for the troubles of the world. I am aware of the malice, fear, and corruption that fueled (and continues to fuel) the intentional sabotage of the black race (in all of it’s many beautiful colors) however, allowing his countenance to be put on the cover of this particular book, seemingly for self promotion, is a part of the same sabotage, in my opinion. Jay Z judges, convicts and dismisses himself with his own whitewashing and continually pretending to be something he is not or pretending not to be something he is.

To all the readers of thi site. Jay-z knows that he isn’t the most lookable man out. but just as long as wife beyonce loves it why can’t we. I think he looks good but he do have extra large lips that will be a trademark for his children. His children will be beauitful kids with unfortnely big lips but good looking anyway. You go jay-z and beyonce, love your swagger jay and your beauty beyonce

WIT “JIGGA’S” LIP PAINTED LIKE THAT…THEY LOOK LIKE A MONKEY’S ASS!

@me (the original)®

“Instead of educating our children to the poisonous efforts to hold people down, we should instead inspire them to be like those caught up in it? And better yet, liken them to true prodigies?”

20yrs of conservative rule I didn’t expect you to say anything different. Your statement makes no sense to me.
——————————–

How does that not make any sense? I’m saying that we need to make our children aware of what’s going on.

I understand what you’re saying, as far as a person being poor and doing what they must do to survive. I am not trying to dehumanize Jay-Z, what I am saying is that he should not be used a “role-model”, nor should he be compared to Olaudah Equiano.

I rather see low income children be pointed in the direction of government assistance, grants, scholarships and student loans in lieu of being told (subliminally) that it’s okay to deal drugs, kill or anything like that because the ends will justify the means. Maybe we just have a fundamental difference of opinions there.

Also, wouldn’t you say that in a sense, having Jay Z on this cover is a way of subliminally telling children that he is something to aspire to? And, by that end, just continuing the cycle of what’s been going on for years now?

See, if this were a BOOK about Jay Z, where the story is told of what he did and WHY, that’d be one thing, but it isn’t. This is a story about a historical figure’s life, and said historical figure has nothing to do with Jay Z at all. Nothing. So for that reason, my opinion stands.

@me,

I can’t speak of subliminal messages unless I’m the one sending them. Some may say he’s promoting alcholism, smoking, and cancer by being on a cover that promotes humidors, cigars, and fine wine… Then again others may say he’s a fine salesman.

As I stated earlier I said nothing about the cover of the book other than the artist captured jz eyes. My facts and opinions remain the same as well. Gotta run ME, see YA!

@Mmmm, so good you’ll lick the wrapper

Okay. Hope to talk to you again!

Is Jigga wearing lipstick? LMAO!!

good lawd, Jay-Z has been slapped with some serious ugly…SMH

To Mmmm, so good you’ll lick the wrapper @ 5:03 pm:

I have formed an opinion about what Jay Z himself has put out there, and his attempts to whitewash his past poor choices and behavior is “pretense”, as is the “rub off greatness” strategy/agenda.

I don’t know whose truth you are referring to. I am not in any pain. I don’t recall taking issue with your book recommendation nor did I accuse you of justifying criminal behavior. I addressed what I interpreted to be some sort of defense of a ghetto kid’s crime of dealing – but I certainly did not accuse you of anything. There is a world of difference between the words interpretation and accusation. Furthermore, I stated MY opinion that the publishers and Jay Z are part of the sabotage of the black race by putting his face on the cover of this particular book (if Jay Z agreed to it). I did not say that you support it. It’s simply not all about you.

Finally, I’ll take the high road on the rest and sincerely wish you well.

who else…lil kim as mz harriet tubman?

My professor had us read Equiano’s book this semester, it was very interesting (although sometimes drawn out) nevertheless, It’s a real good read, I’m offended that they would put jay’s likeness on this cover. Whether he is a popular rapper or not, Equiano’s story shouldn’t be defiled by the degrading mysoginistic music of Jay-Z.

Aside from Jay being on the new cover, does anybody else see the resemblance to MISS Jay (ANTM) on the old cover? This is not to take away from the book itself, which I’ve read and see zero connection that would inspire them to think of Jay-Z….

*dies of laughter*

Is this a joke?

WOW, THEY NEED BETTER MARKETING SCHEMES!

maybe the connection was that they’re both illuminati!

I wonder how many of you that think Jay-z’s image being used to replace the authentic/original image have actually read this book? Although Jay-z has a interesting story, I cannot see how using his image on the cover would make this historical story be more relevant to the youth of today. I would love to ask the publisher -Where is the integrity in this choice? Why as a public should we allow 1/2 truths erode the rich heritage we share? Why should truth bow it’s knee to the popular culture standard? Why not try to lift the standard of public culture by highlighting truth instead? I know some would argue that it’s only a small white lie that would probably encourage children toward reading this book. But if they can meddle with the cover maybe we should wonder about the content too………………..just wondering???

@Diadem Kiss
But if they can meddle with the cover maybe we should wonder about the content too………………..just wondering???
————————————————
It has happened…since black people at that time could not read they had to appeal to the white audience…dont rule out a possibility of true content being tampered with.

@BritChick- TRUE…….but it gets me irrate when they try to pull the wool over the eyes of uneducated/naive ones. Esp if seems it’s probably only for financial gain anyway. Next question-When does the exploitation stop & the realness begin?

Blessings to my fellow UK sis

ooooooops probably full of S***

LMAO this is just wrong.

Um yea, this is ridiculous!!!

[...] day that being gangsta is seen as a negative aspect is a day we can all rejoice. According to Jay Z, that day is coming thanks to Obama being elected as the President. You know what to do Hip-hop [...]