For Discussion: Is Jay-Z Overrated, Pure Poison Or Just Another Cog In The Capitalist Machine???

Posted on March 16th, 2010 - By Bossip Staff

Categories: For Discussion, Jay-Z, News

In a recent interview, rapper M-1 of Dead Prez went into detail about Jay-Z‘s role in hip hop and says he may be pure poison.

Check the details on the flip.

He says:

What happened to hip hop was the use of capitalism in hip hop. I was listening to EPMD the other day, and Parrish said—I don’t want to misquote him—but he said, “And I still don’t see one rapper living comfortably.” Things have changed since that time. We have found artists who have developed the capitalist mold into their way of thinking. Artists have even shifted from the artistry to how well you can make money. That really shows how good of an MC you can be. So if you come on the scene, and you are seen as someone who can be influential and knows how to turn capital over, then generally you can speak the language of hip hop. That’s why Jay-Z has found affluence, and Young Jeezy, the moneymaking aspect of it. To me, that’s the poison. That’s the poison in it, is the indoctrination of capitalism. Not to say we don’t need people to understand the business of making money; but the model wasn’t Marcus Garvey—the model became people like Rockefeller.”

The evolution of hip hop has definitely morphed into something that reflects a materialist life rather than the talent and essence of the culture… Interesting. Let’s discuss

Source

  • Hannibal

    HE IS THE KING

  • John J

    1st

  • Ms. Littlejohn

    He’s all three. Enough already.

  • Syn Lane

    To answer the question, YES, Jay-Z is very overrated. But only in the aspect of a rapper. He’s a great business man, but an ok rapper. He use to be a great rapper, but then hip hop evolved to money an now, thas all he talks about. We know you gotta million ways to get it!!! say somethin else, tell me a good story, make me want to think! make me say dammmmm in total “AHH” after the song goes off. Honestly I havent done that since my ears were blessed with ONE MIC

  • http://Yanisha_gill@yahoo.com Yannie

    YES!!! I AGREE JAY-Z, BEYONCE, RIHANNNA, KANYE WEST AND MANY MORE ARE FOR PEOPLE OF THIS GENRATION AND IT’S NOTHING BUT THE DEVILS MUSIC KIDS ARE LISTENING TO. BACK IN THE DAYS SALT AND PEPPER,PUBLIC EMENY,KRS1,AND OTHERS I RESPECT THEM THE HIP HOP WORLD IS CHANGING… AND WE AS THE PEOPLE ARE CHANGING WITH IT!! THIS IS SOME SCARY SHIT.

  • real black is chocolate

    HE IS THE UGLY

  • http://google Dee Dee01

    Here’s a headliner: A Successful Black Man! Hopes for another..another…another…another

  • Say What?

    I agree.

  • truth or consequences

    Where my Comment dammit

  • Txhustla15

    Lol this is going to be great especially as nothing has ever changed to a degree the players – but the game is still the same , How can someone even draw a logical relationship between Hov’s artistry and his own successful business ventures/investments.

    Its almost as funny as Siegels rant about how without any effort on his own that people didnt hold his hand the same way through the industry – smh. Music anyways like some many other things is subjective – where one person will enjoy something that someone else hates. Everything that M1′s saying aside from his offbase comment about how he has earned his wealth has been in hip hop for decades since its conception nothing’s new..

  • Rihanna’s Sharp n Pointy Witchy Fingernails Took The Oath

    he’s a fraud. he stole more biggie lines than a little bit. lil wayne started saying “I’m ill” and now gayz is “ill”- he ought to thank biggie and jazzo for his wealth

  • CFO

    From a business stand point he is doing pretty well. But from a music stand point the music will destroy the minds of young people. Young people listen to the music and want to live the life as drug dealers, killers and gangsters. I care about the youth because the educational system, has failed them and now the music is putting the icing on the cake. How many african american students in NY graduate, from high school and go on to college. Then ask yourself how many dropout and end up in jail or dead. Out of every 4 black men, 1 black men is in prison.

  • xedos

    ppl who said Jay z is over rated have shallow minds it show their mentality and IQ. how can you listen to his catalog of music and say he’s overrated.just because he evolves and not talking about selling drugs does not mean he still not the best.

  • Txhustla15

    Thinkin of a master plan
    Cuz ain’t nuthin but sweat inside my hand
    So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent
    So I dig deeper but still comin up with lint
    So I start my mission- leave my residence
    Thinkin how could I get some dead presidents
    I need money, I used to be a stick-up kid
    So I think of all the devious things I did
    I used to roll up, this is a hold up, ain’t nuthin funny
    Stop smiling, be still, don’t nuthin move but the money

    Rakim (1987)

  • Txhustla15

    @he’s a fraud. he stole more biggie lines than a little bit. lil wayne started saying “I’m ill” and now gayz is “ill”- he ought to thank biggie and jazzo for his wealth

    Um he always does..ever read the liner notes on In my Lifetime Vol 1. or the countless examples where he talks about his Relationship with big , sides the foundational basis of hip hop is based on swagger jacking – Infamous Bridge Wars ?

  • Hannibal

    MORE NUMBER ONE ALBUMS THAN ELVIS, JAY-Z IS THE G.O.A.T!

  • xedos

    @CFO that’s bull shyt blame yor politician and your self for the fvk up education. don’t blame rappers. most hip hop are bought by white kids yet they are graduating from high school. you know why? they parent get involved in their education and the community. most black parent don’t even go to PTA can’t their kids school trustee. You motherfvckers don’t even vote. it census time and i be t most black ppl will not be counted. stop using rappers as scapegoat and take responsibility.

  • SO WHAT….

    All of the above.

  • http://thathiphopblog.com/ ThatHipHopBlog

    He is a great rapper.

  • Miss Sonchee holla

    He’s part of hip-hop “Hannibal”…& yes he’s a “GOAT” alright…………Knowledge is POWER..Peace Out…

  • Keepingitreal

    his wack…his a fail

  • CFO

    I vote and I’m currently involved in my son’s PTA’s and his education. Dont you know that some African americans communities have never seen a census rep or recieved a letter. The government makes it their business not to include some ethic races information. Because they dont want to provide the resources to certain areas. Since Jay-Z is a rapper he shouldnt be concerned about the youth that purchase and listen to his music. I disagree!

  • http://www.myspace.com/theofficialsagitairyus The L

    Can Someone Say “entertainment”? I’ts all entertainment, and people are entertained and inspired by hip hop and money. If you have a talent, and want to share with those striving artists the story of your “rags to riches”.. then cool. Thats what Jay z is supposed to be doing. letting people know you can have what you want if you work hard. Shyt! This Very Site we are on is CAPITALISM. That loaf of poison bleached white bread that youre chewing on is capitalism. The gas you pumped into your car has the blood of innocent people all over it, and it’s capitalism. The fact that u have internet is capitalism. And if u are using it to post comments about a black man that became successful, then maybe you should be doing something else with your time on the net, like Capitalizing!

  • DeQuivel

    I am not free of fault but what I do see with Jay-Z and many others like him is an over stimulation of power that cause a disconnect from being unselfish.

  • Syn Lane

    He can sell however many albums, be number 1 all time whatever. To me… LYRICALLY(keyword)…. he will never ever ever ever ever, be better than NAS!!!

  • Maevelove

    Jay-Z is a talented emcee. Just like Beyonce has incredible gifts, so does Jay. The problem I have with Jay is that he’s talking about straight nonsense now. The last meaningful song he did, imo, was “Lost One”.

  • I’m Just Me…Keeping It Real Since: 1983. 30 Days. DAXN, Y’ALL SOME FICKLE AZZ PEOPLE!!

    IDK

    But he is looking good in that pic right there!

  • http://bossip I`ll Talk about what I want to talk about Nucca !

    Jay is my dude … I like dead prez but on some real sheet listen to Jay`s last 3 albums and tell me all he is talking about is dough ! You got to take the tootsie roll out your ear .. CUZ you aint really been listening if you don`t see the growth ! Let this dude do him and you do you !

  • http://bossip lian

    I wouldn’t say Jay-Z is overratted. He is 40 so in a few years he will be on to the next one. He has did his bid and done a good job but “now” it’s almost time for him to move on in a few, but you can’t take away what he has done. Beyonce is super duper overratted.

  • B

    how is Jay-z a great business man.Dame started the clothes and the record label.There are tapes of Dame at the def jam office saying J hasnt been up there in years.he just got smart all of a sudden and cut out all the leeches,like Dame and Biggs.Then he followed Russell’s mold.

  • JASON WELLS

    SAY WHAT YOU WANT, J IS THE MAN!!! PLAIN & SIMPLE!

  • john

    And I know some of you will say well how smart are the other guys if he has more money than them well alot of these guys didnt come in the game wanting to do all the other things some just wanted to be heard. Its like some basketball players what to go to the NBA to get their families out the Hood not neccessarily get a Championship but if they should win one then cudos!

  • Gimmeabreak78

    @CFO

    Seriously, where are you getting your stat that 25% of black men are in prison? And enough with the census conspiracy. I live DEEP in the hood and got my census form yesterday.

    @Txhustla15

    I just think The Black Album was his masterpiece. He’s 40 years old, so I’m pretty convinced that his career as an emcee is on a downward trajectory, but Lord knows he’s better than those cartoon characters Souljaboy and Nikki Minaj!

  • luvn_life

    IM HELLA EXCITED……..
    WOODS WILL RETURN TO GOLF AT MASTER’S ON APRIL 8TH,AUGUSTA,GA!!!!!!

  • tmnola

    Yes, Jay-Z is quite overrated and needed to stop at the Black Album. Plus I don’t appreciate his play on words with J-Hova…”God cannot be mocked”.

  • detdoll5

    Just as I suspected, only a hand full with the brain capacity to discuss something on an intellecutual level.

  • meeK

    Black people rather hear about drug deals and black woman being degraded not about money? White people support their artist they can be old and gray and still sell out concert halls. We tell our artist to take a break because they are making to much money! to me thats just crazy. I’m a jay z fan I grew with him from the drug dealing day to now. I don’t wanna hear about a$$ and Pu$$y I have a 3 year old that repeats everything he hears.

  • Really???

    I like Dead Prez, but they lost me when I saw a vid they had with a Lambo in it. Cant remember the song but I know a girl was singing on it. Isnt that a prepetuation of capitalism in an indirect way. Just saying.

  • JAY-Z AND BEYONCE ARE SATAN WORSHIPERS

    REFERENCE THE NAME. THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHY HE IS OVERRATED.

  • flawda

    One more thing,there is a reason why it’s called the MUSIC BUSINESS. It’s the business of selling music, if Dead Prez wasn’t in it for selling music they wouldn’t be signed to a record label. Like i said, those cats are just salty they are not eating. Don’t be mad Jay-z invested in himself as an artist while you other dudes are just a worker for these record labels.

  • shonese101

    ok….

    1) He is not God and he needs to stop calling himself JHova.

    2) Yes him and all of the Roc family is OVER RATED, including his wife.

    3) If Biggie and Pac were here, he would not be popular, he probably would not have made it this far.

    He can rap, I will say that, but really! I have under ground rappers better than him.

  • I n F a m o u s l y c o o l

    JAY-Z is something No other rapper has been. He’s so far beyond anyone else in his field it isn’t even funny. All the attention proves he’s the best.

  • ReALiSt aka ReALeSt(Rae Rae is my Name)

    @Hannibal
    U’re one confused mofoz – u’ve the GOAT 2PAC on ur avatar & ur @ss is calling camel faced gayz the greatest.. GTFOH!!! 2pac is like a GOD to gayz and M1 of dead prez is greater than gayz… NAS already ethered this f@ggot & how many of biggie’s rhymes is gnna come out of his fat lips??

  • JENNY JONES

    I HATE WHEN BROKE, UNPOPULAR, CAN’T MAKE A #1 RECORD RAPPERS TRY TO PISS ON THOSE THAT AREN’T, ARE AND CAN. M-1 WHY IS IT POISON B/C JAY-Z HAS LEARNED HOW TO EARN & KEEP THE MONEY OFF HIS RECORDS SOMETHING OBVIOUSLY YOU AND MOST ARTIST HAVEN’T. STAIGHT B*TCH*SSNESS!!!! JENNY JONES!!!

  • flawda

    Isn’t Pac the same dude going in and out of jail, spitting at the cameras, shooting at cops, raping women,etc.

  • ProMAC

    @ Truth be told, well said!

    Jay is all the above.

  • ReALiSt aka ReALeSt(Rae Rae is my Name)

    @Txhustla15
    GAYZ CAN NEVER & WILL NEVER BE THE ALI OF HIPHOP – HE’S MORE LIKE THE ZAB JUDAH OF HIPHOP, AN OVERRATED PIECE OF CHIT… NAS IS GREATER THAN GAYZ,2PAC IS GREATER THAN GAYZ,BIGGIE IS GREATER THAN GAYZ,ICE CUBE IS GREATER THAN GAYZ,RAKIM IS GREATER THAN GAYZ,ICE CUBE IS GREATER THAN GAYZ..

    EMINEM KILLED GAYZ ON RENEGADE;BUN-B KILLED GAYZ ON BIG PIMPIN;KANYE WEST KILLED GAYZ ON RUN THIS TOWN,BIGGIE KILLED GAYZ ON BROOKLYN’S FINEST & NAS ETHERED GAYZ…

    I don’t why an internet geeks like yourself chosed to put hustla at the back of ur screen name – stop fronting brah, the only time u probably hustled is when u post some dumb website selling fake china made designer chit… GTFOH!!

  • Mr.E

    Pure FAG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • chaka1

    Let’s just say one way to stay on top is to crush the success of other emerging rappers.

  • Lisa (with a Big L)

    He’s speaking the truth! Hip-hop was not about capitalism. The core of hip-hop was about EMPOWERMENT and there is a major difference between the two.

  • speaking4blacks

    Ok lets stop the dumb sh it… Jay-z is the king of music… he has taken hip hop to new places.

  • Hannibal

    @ReALiSt aka ReALeSt(Rae Rae is my Name)

    LMAO!!! 2PAC IS NOT THE GREATEST RAPPER EVER, HE WAS JUST THE MOST POLITICALLY AWARE. LYRICALLY, TUPAC IS NOT AS GOOD AS BIGGIE, RAKIM, NAS, OR JAY-Z.

  • I ALREADY GOT GOOD HAIR, I NEED MONEY

    Jay z is number one because, he destroys new emerging talent in NY. 50 cent was the only one to make a little money during Jay Z’s dominance. Any rapper such as Ron Browz, or Mace ( Imaginary Player was about Mase), Camron, even Big Pun was met with hostility by Jay Z. BIG was light years ahead of him. BIG could say in 1 song what took Jay Z an album to put across. 10 CRACK COMMANDMENTS. If you didn’t know how to sell crack after that, you must be a retard. Reasonable Doubt said the same things but was very detailed. Jay Z is lucky Christopher died, Big L died, Big Pun died, and 50 cent almost died. LOL See any themes here.

  • Truth be told (the original)

    I’m outta here. Yall can keep eating up the garbage these fools are putting out but not me. Jayz never told anybody how to improve the ‘quality’ of their life just maybe the ‘quantity’ on their accounts and even that is from an illegitimate foundation. SMH. Anyway, I don’t know why I would expect him to tell me how to stay outta hell when he doesn’t even believe in it.

  • I ALREADY GOT GOOD HAIR, I NEED MONEY

    And Max B was the closest NY had to a simple southern rapper who can write infectious hooks. And Max had his own style; “Wavy” and slang. He was the brains behind Dipset’s ‘We Fly High’ and was a major new threat to Jay Z. He’s doing 50 years in prison now. Jay Z must have a contract with Satan. lol Rappers in Nyc, You will be destroyed….. I am smokin too much of this here!!

  • Gimmeabreak78

    @Truth be told

    I agree with you that hip-hop is over-saturated with the same tired themses of promiscuity, violence, and conspicuous consumption, but I think you may have missed an important point. The thing I love most about hip-hop (and the thing that has arguably suffered the most tragic death in it) is its creativity and range.

    When Al Pacino can play Tony Montana in “Scarface” and then play Cl. Frank Slade in “Scent of a Woman” we call that range as an actor. Very few artists in hip-hop have that quality. Hip-hop has definitely lost it’s range. It’s become pigeonholed into the gratuitous sex, violence, and greed category.

    That’s why artists like Jay-Z, Nas, and others (to me) were some of the best a.m.b.a.s.s.a.d.o.r.s of hip-hop hop because though they can run the tired “money, cash, hoes” themes with the best of them, they can also explore a wide variety of other human emotions in their music. After all, isn’t that what all music is all about–finding a way to emotionally resonate with the listener?

  • Candid Canuck

    M1.. my man Dead Prez is the truth! Truss!

  • Candid Canuck

    hip hop has evolved…. and wil continue to evolve as long as it bleeds colour and cultural lines… it is a mainstay institution now…

    That’s right. Hiphop is becoming Institutionalized.

  • JESSICA

    OVERRATED!!!!!!

  • sam

    SO OVERATED

  • Hannibal

    @ReALiSt aka ReALeSt(Rae Rae is my Name)

    HAHAHAHHAHAHA LMAO!! LMFAOO!! YOU ARE TOO FUNNY. YOU COMPARED A RAPIST TO GOD!

  • ReALiSt aka ReALeSt(Rae Rae is my Name)

    @Hannibal
    THE SAME RAPIST ON UR AVATAR & THE SAME RAPIST YOU PROBABLY WORSHIP IN YOUR HOUSE.. GET A LIFE IF YOU AIN’T GOT ANY POINT… I GUESS HE PROBABLY FU@KED UR MOM IN THE @SS!!!

  • Hannibal

    @ReALiSt aka ReALeSt(Rae Rae is my Name)

    I HAVE THIS AVATAR TO PISS YOU OFF. WHAT’S THE MATTER, ARE YOU MAD THAT YOUR FAVORITE RAPPER IS DEAD WHILE OTHER RAPPERS ARE ALIVE MAKING MONEY, POOR KID, LMAO!

  • Hannibal

    *P.I.S.S. YOU OFF*

  • Ms.Brilly

    In my opinion, Jay Z is overrated as an artist. It’s important, however, to separate the art of music from the business of music. Has he excelled at the business of music? Yes. But, I believe, it has been at the expense of the art.

    I guess it comes down to what some people think is more important, the business or the art. To me, because hip hop is not nor should be, at it’s core, a business… the most important thing is the art.

    I wouldn’t call Jay Z pure poison, but I do beleive he may be detrimental to the ART of hip-hop.

  • CFO

    New York needs a new king ASAP!

    “Why is it that more than half of all black men in America don’t finish high school? Why is the unemployment rate in powerful cities like New York at 50 percent for Black men?

    The disproportionate representation of black Americans in the U.S. criminal justice system is well documented.17 Blacks comprise 13 percent of the national population, but 30 percent of people arrested, 41 percent of people in jail,18 and 49 percent of those in prison.19 Nine percent of all black adults are under some form of correctional supervision (in jail or prison, on probation or parole), compared to two percent of white adults. Is there any truth to the claim that more black men are in jail than in college?

  • ReALiSt aka ReALeSt(Rae Rae is my Name)

    @Hannibal
    My favorite rapper ain’t dead – he made enough music to last for this lifetime… Pac is in the ghetto mansion right now throwing up the dub sign while screaming west side…. His music talks to me everyday!!!! ***Pac’s life goes on blasting from the speakers****

  • CFO

    I will continue to fight for the uplifting of our youth; and hope that these rapper understand young children are listening to their music.

  • shonese101

    If Biggie and Pac were alive Jay would not be here. He can rap, but he is over rated. He talks about his wife (indirectly) women, money cars and selling drugs. I mean really, when was the last time he did any of this stuff???? OK! It’s getting old now, he has already spoken of all this stuff in 10 or 11 albums, IM TIRED OF IT! He boosts hime self up, to be number 1. He sounds lame and looks lame, WHERE ARE ALL THE REAL RAPPERS? THE ONES WHO JUST WANT TO BE HEARD AND NOT CARE ABOUT FAME AND MONEY? THE ONES WHO TALK ABOUT WHAT REAL PEOPLE CAN RELATE TO?

    Oh yeah, his wife is SUPER LAME and over rated as well.

  • High Price

    Black people are so dumb, we invite these ‘entertainers’ and their poison into our lives.

    WE NEED TO SHUT THEM OUT OF OUR LIVES, their influence has been POISON and TOXIC.

    If someone isn’t talking real ISH, the things your grandparents talked about they should have NO PLACE in our LIFE

    Hard Work
    Education
    Character
    Excellence

    F THESE people that are just looking to get PAID..like MJ said, THEY DON”T CARE ABOUT US, and THEY ain’t who you think it is!

  • High Price

    Why won’t we turn their POISON off, can’t we see it is destroying us.

    TURN IT OFF!

  • Gimmeabreak78

    @Truth be told

    I feel you on that. Good hip hop is going the way of the dinosaur.

  • Lisa (with a Big L)

    @Ms. Brilly–well said. In order to come up to the level Jay-Z has, one has to compromise and sacrifice. The tricky thing with catering to the hood, is that if you want to really “make it”, you have to sell-out some to the status quo. And that’s with any business. You can only get so rich off of the hood.

    However, my personal problem with Jay is that he’s 40 and still talking about GARBAGE and IGNORANCE. And on the real, I think the ONLY reason why Jay is receiving the shine that he receives is ONLY because he is married to Beyonce. Didn’t he retire before they got married? Now all of a sudden, he’s dipping into her fan base.

  • The supergroup of Tone” Loc/ Vanilla Ice/Sir Mix-A-Lot/Fresh Prince and Young MC

    Jay ain’t bad but he has or will never have a single as big as any of us. And we are so wack!!!

  • Marquis de Sade

    There’s only three rap cd’s worth a damn, and that’s: 1) Liquid Swords – GZA/RZA

    2) The Art of War – Bones, Thugs &
    Harmony

    3) The Mouse and the Mask – Danger
    Mouse &
    MF Doom

    Needless to say Jay Z, 2 Pac or B.I.G. didn’t make the cut

  • MrTavMarie

    Well, people get so caught up in the wack sh*t these “mainstream” rappers are saying, what do you expect?

    However, he, like Diddy fluff, are great businessmen.

  • dia

    eghh i fell out of love with him. he needs to stop talking about how rich he is or don’t rap at all.

    Every song hes talking about how hes such a trend setter. Thats not even important, the real question is are you relevant enough to be talking about being a trendsetter? No he is not hes had his time he should move over and be more humble. the truly great never bragged about how great they were.

    hes better as a business man.

  • BARRY WHITE

    FOR SYN LANE TO SAY JAY-Z IS AN OK RAPPER AND ALL HE TALKIS ABOUT IS MONEY REALLY SHOWS HOW MUCH HIP HOP HE/SHE KNOWS LISTEN TO ALL JAY’S ALBUM AND YOU’LL FIND OUT MONEY IS THE LEAST THING HE TALKS ABOUT AND FOR THA RECORD THA MAN IS THE MOST LOVED HATED ON RAPPER EVER HE’S THA BEST TO EVER DO IT HANDS DOWN I ,EAN HIM BEIN 40 AND BETTER THAN ALL HIS COMPETION IS AMAZING AND IF U DON’T WANNA SAY HE’S BETTER THEN FINE BUT HE SURE IS HANGING IN THERE…LIKE IT STUNS ME HOW MANY RAPPERS HATE ON JAY CAUSE HE’S NOT DOIN THA MUSIC AND THE FEATURES THEY WANT HIM TO DO…..AND WHY IS EVERYTIME RAPPERS SPEAK ON ANOTHER RAPPER ITS JAY LOOK HE’S DONE PLENTY FOR HIP HOP AND AND NOW THAT HE’S THE FIRST RAPPER TO GET 100 MILLON DOLLARS FOR A RECORD DEAL HE SET THE BAR HIGH FOR OTHER LABELS TO HAVE TO SIGN A LIL WAYNE KANYE WEST JEEZY TIP FOR WAY MORR MONEY EVERYTHING HE DOES HAS A CHAIN AFFECT FOR OTHER ARTIST REMEMBER THAT

  • WeSLyN

    a fool a his money will soon be parted…communal responsibility is key (and I would ask that from neone that wants to do business in my community)

  • flawda

    If Dead Prez is so against Haiti, why don’t they sell all their possession and donate the money to Haiti, then move to Haiti. I bet they wont, wanna know why, because they like the comfort that capitalism affords. Same for the rest of you self righteous nappy headed people.

  • flawda

    against capitalism*

  • WeSLyN

    just like someone else implied, people that have reached that level of success have most certainly stepped on more than a few people to get there..

  • kwcnch

    @ Truth be told
    *Preach*

  • black is beautiful don’t F*ck it up!

    I dunno back in the day people could make a good living with a few hit records as long as they had a decent deal with the record company (and i know a lot of them didn’t). But now-a-days there’s no money in music cause everybody wants it for free. So they gotta branch out into other revenue generating areas. This is a capitalist society.

    people have said Jay-z is falling off so what else is he gonna do? He’s got to be a businessman.

  • black is beautiful don’t F*ck it up!

    Well as long as the white folks like Jay-z he will be o.k.. Woe to him when they are through with him ‘tho. You know white folks like all the music that black folks don’t like anymore.

  • Hottestchickinthegame

    I HATE WHEN I CAN’T GET TO SLEEP!!!!!

    AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Marquis de Sade

    The best thing to happen to Jay Z was the murders of 2 Pac & Biggie. I have a sneaky suspicion that if those two were still alive, Jay Z would always be considered CLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR.

  • Kimmie – Southern Belle

    Jay-Z…hes still hangin on?

  • CALL 16153647233 TO TALK TO A RACIST

    smh

  • COCKDIEZEL

    JIGGA THE DEVIL WORSHIPPER

  • Manuel

    it was written that the devil will try to impersonate the things we like as to get our attention.
    Jay-Z is poison….

    if you own a BlackBerry…make sure to contact: theblackberrydoctor (Grand Openning March 22)

  • that damn sh#$ disturber

    i agree with the article 100%!!! jay is suppose to be the best rapper alive but i never thought so. i remember my old fave song by freeway “what we do (is wrong)” and listening to jay come in toward the end. everytime i hear that song i usually cut it off when he comes in thinking damn they should have just let freeway keep going…

  • crazysexycool

    anybody that makes hiphop (or any other music) is trying to sell records. that’s one of the important reasons. that’s their job to pay their own rent, so I don’t see no capitalism there.

  • resurrected

    I say that he is both… He has achieved a lot by stepping on many people backs… I guess it would also depends on your personal definition of success, but yeah I think that he is overrated but he is also not the worst rapper in the world but still not the best in my eyes…

  • resurrected

    The industry get the public by speaking stuff into the wind and the airwaves and then it sits back and see how many civilians will just adapts to it message with is most.. Everyone is the greatest at one time or another in the entertainment industry especially when you are willing to play the fame game…

  • Bossip sucks

    Who really is a great rapper; what makes them great? To be a great rapper means you need to be poetic with your rhymes, say something worth remembering and be about something. Today’s rappers are commerical garbage. They dont rap about anything other then money, sex, hoes, murders (they didnt commit), credentials (they didnt earn), self titles, (they didnt earn that either), and partying. None of these dudes and females (who don’t write they just straight hoes with mikes). Rap today is about b.s. The greatest rapper was Tupac not only for his content, expansive répertoire, and ability to transcend the bs noted above. Yeah he battled in that bs but he also talked about things others did not, in a provocative and haunting way. Biggie just regurgitated that ish noted above. Today’s rappers including the old head (Jay, Nas, LL and Common) are just commerical rappers. They lost their edge. People clowned Puffy for that superficial bs but listen to them they on his wave length too they just do it better.

  • I Am Legend

    @Young

    I dont usually co sign with people but I agree with everything you say

  • I Am Legend

    I think its funny how many people HATE Jay Z for making money..Thats what this is all about..If Jay was broke in prison or not selling records or still selling drugs would anybody really care..But because the man is rich and makin major moves the hatred comes..Like BIG said “Mo Money Mo Problems”

  • Jay Z is a ugly old cornball

    Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like he has no talent or something, he’s just not the best.

  • Shawn of the Living

    JayZ has his , whether you agree with his Artistry, methods or lyrics. I would suggest that most of you concentrate on getting yours instead of contemplating Jay Z.

  • BALLS-DEEP

    Why cant others get theirs theyre way and let him get his his way? Who has spit their lines and made money and not shone their wealth. If you get money youre gonna improve your situation. M-1 used to dress like a militant hobo. He got some funds when Badu was around and he stepped his game up. If Jay is poison maybe because the foundation wasnt what you really thought Hip Hop was. Rap was the message to become Hip Hop. Each group showed their kind of wealth.

  • Man, I just don’t care™

    Jay (JIGGABOO) Z beeeeeeeen overrated. Only people from “Nu Yawk” don’t think so.

    He has NEVER been able to sell unless another artists is on his chit “carrying” him.

    Has he EVER won a rap battle?

  • juliemango

    Hip hop is a “profession” afterall, for real!!!

  • D. KNOTT

    hip hop is the only genre of music that glorifies materialism. what you have, what you can get, and what you have are primary talking points for most mainstream hip/hop & r&b. dare you to listen to the radio and go more than 3 songs without hearing a song that in some form or fashion glorifies materialistic desires. they so those who have it act like they don’t and those they don’t have it act like they do. guess where we fit in….

  • D. KNOTT

    hip hop is the only genre of music that glorifies materialism. what you have, what you can get, and what you had are primary talking points for most mainstream hip/hop & r&b. dare you to listen to the radio and go more than 3 songs without hearing a song that in some form or fashion glorifies materialistic desires. they say those who have it act like they don’t and those that don’t have it act like they do. guess where we fit in….

  • Jay

    The first 40 year old rapper to have a plat album. Has more #1 albums then the beatles (legends), He is the wealthiest rapper in history, he’s donated millions, did alot of things for the community. It’s sad that this guy is probably the most influential person in hip hop and our own people calls him posion. This is bigger than music. Jay-Z start a trend of being ablum to not just be a rapper but a successful businessman. the problem with black folks is that we hate on our on people.Why?

  • Science

    HERE IS MY MODEL

    IM GOING TO MAKE AN ALBUM CALLED
    STIR FRIED SHYT

    IM GONNA USE AUTOTUNE, IM GONNA DO RINGTONES,
    IM GONNA PUT ONE OF TH ETRACKS ON YOURTUBE AND LET THEM DOWNLOAD THAT FOR FREE BUT CHARGE TRIPPLE FOR THE REST OF THE DOWNLOADS,

    AND ON ONE I GO TTO GET DIDDY TO DO THE REMIX,
    AND HE WILL DO IT BECAUSE STIR FRIED SHYT IS GONNA GO PLATINUM, SEE A MIILION HITS IS A MILLION SALES, THAT IS PLATINUM STATUS IN THE NEW WAY OF THINKING,

    SO YALL LOOK OUT FOR THE ALBUM, STIR FRIED SHYT, IM GONN ATAKE OVE THERAP GAME, IN MY HOUSE IN MY BOXERS WITHOUT DOING ONE CONCERT,

    TRUST ME IT WILL WORK,

    THAT AINT HIP HOP , B TTH TIS WHAT THEY ARE DOING TODAY,

    REAL HIP HOP STAND UP , FOR REAL !!!

  • Miami chick

    Jay Z is so overrated. This dude has lifted so many lines from Biggie and Tupac.

    Back in the day Jay’s music was fun, now it’s just pretentious and arrogant.

    I mean wtf refers to their self as Jayhova and God?? Blasphemy.

  • Blackkice01

    Do you know how many BILLIONS of dollars these “WHITE” owned corporations make off of our culture. How can we try to call one of our own poison because he learned how to make money. Tupac is my favorite rapper but if you listen to the hits Jay has over the years, he’s for sure one of if not the greatest ever…

  • The Truth

    “Back in the day Jay’s music was fun, now it’s just pretentious and arrogant.

    I mean wtf refers to their self as Jayhova and God?? Blasphemy.”

    Back in the day, when are we talking about? Jay’s been callin himself Jayhova since that part two of “a million & 1 questions” back in 97-98.

    When did all you tinfoil hat wearing nutjobs turn on Jigga by the way? Do you actually believe he’s in involved in this Illuminati shit?
    “Oooh Jay, Kanye and Rihanna is the manifestation of evil”.

    Get real.

    If you understand hip-hop (obviously most of you don’t) you would know that Jay is nowhere near “average”. Check his catalog you simple minded sheep.

  • Baller “Baby”

    “Dont hate the playa”…”Hate the game” because the game has definitely changed. All Jay-Z has done is overcome and adapted to this newly built environment. The artistry is gone from hip-hop. Hip-Hop has become the new Rock and Roll “sex, drugs, and money”. That’s exactly how the powers that be (media) want it. They want our kids (Afro-Americans)to destroy themselves with this detrimental illusion that they have created for us. It’s truly sad to see that we will do anything for the “PRICE OF FAME”. For all you skeptics Jay-Z is merely a small part of the whole sum “The Illuminati”.

  • Sharie

    I respect his hustle & his music is decent. But I don’t worship him like some folks.. He’s a man that pi$$ & sh@t just like the rest of us….

  • Truth

    “Lord Jesus, teach me my savior…Lord knows I got a whole lot of haters” – ‘I’m on the Rock’

    “Therefore but the grace of the Lord…now my face graces the cover of the Forbes”- ‘I’m on the Rock’

    “I’m C-E-o and yeah glory to God…I’m so in-debted…I should have been dead-ed” – ‘Kingdom Come’

    “I just play the hand I’m dealt…I can’t say I’ve never knelt before God and asked for better cards at times to

    no avail” – ‘Justify my Thug’

    “Three shots couldn’t touch me…thank God for that” – ‘Moment of Clarity’

    “With the weight of the world on my shoulder, that’s why they call me ‘Hova’…I’m far from being God” – Breathe

    Easy

    “I pray to God…the father” – ‘Trouble’

    Yeah, that sounds a lot like Devil worshipping talk to me. Those are all lines recited by Jay-Z in song. Do your

    homework.

  • tamara

    yes i agree that hip hop was originally about empowerment and helping us find a voice but the underlying notion was about the attainment of riches and eventually wealth- nothing wrong with that- to a certain extent..but now that this dude has has the MONEY and the INFLUENCE (over some), like others said, i’d like to hear him tell a story to our youth about the history that they don’t tell in school (black women sterilized without their consent, Tuskegee exp., the CIA using LSD on black prisoners, or acknowledging our great black inventors, etc.)….i’m tired of hearin about who is on his pager and yada yada yada..now all of his unwise decisions are coming to light and being scrutinized b/c of his lack of discretion and possibly, business saavy??

    get it together black man

  • tamara

    @MOCK STAR…i’m cosignin %100 percent…Miseducation AND the unplugged album is in constant rotation in my car b/c she speaks the real whether she sings, raps, or writes…LOVE HER

  • STOLEN FROM AFRICA

    Let’s keep it plain and simple!!

    M1 from Dead Prez – is on POINT!!

    RAP music and the artistry really died in the
    80′s.

    Go back and take a look at COMMON’s I Used to Love HER!! Its a blue print for today’s demise in RAP music!!

    Give me the Bran Nubians and Poor Righteous Teachers, Gran Puba, PE, KRS, the 80′s – is where the music was real. VIVA Marcus Garvey!!

  • Cdean-melosch

    Would you believe it anyway?
    Jay-Z is so deep into this that the track New York ft. Alicia Keys might as well be called an info-mmercial.HE WAS PAID BY THE NEW YORK MAYORS OFFICE TO DO A TRACK ABOUT ‘NEW YORK’ TO INSPIRE VISITORS BACK TO THE CITY. The sad thing is he actually believes he’s an inside man now. Shame he want find out the truth until really he needs their help.

  • Jess

    Jay Z is cool but it blows my mind how much guys worship him (kind of gay)…how much some people “worship him period” JAY Z IS god???? Jay Z is “the greatest”??? Jay Z is “number 1″ Without God the real God and only 1 whom is THE GREATEST….WE ALL WOULD BE NOTHING, HAVE NOTHING, AND BE LOST……Like I said Jay Z is cool, but he’s NO HOVA..I don’t have ANY American Idols because none should be idolized…please believe me….Know whom to worship not rappers, not actors, God comes FIRST, and He is a jealous God. Make it in the gate because He is coming back, and Father knows I wish that we all can be with Him forever. God bless

  • NOTAHATER

    bullshit…plain and simple bullshit

  • William

    “I had to hustle, my back to the wall, ashy knuckles, pocket filled wit alot of lent, not a cent, gotta vent, lot of innocent lives lost on that project bench…” Jay-z

  • John Lloyd

    @ Jess, B*tch no one compared Jay-z to God. Hoe sit down

  • LadyJNewYork

    Haters, Haters, Haters!! No one complains when it’s them making the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Jay Z is alright, like some of his music, but I only worship “GOD”, he does have staying power in the rap/hip hop game. Can’t deny that!

  • CocOChAnel

    What alot of u guys fail to understand is that, Yes Jay-Z may no longer be a great rapper but he is giving his listeners another alternative to just rapping. He is letting people know thats its ok to dream BIG and to go after it! Why just play basketball when you can own the team.

    And for all of those people saying that rap is only about money, well thats what its always been about… grinding in the streets trying to make a dime out of a nick. Jay-Z just expanded on it!

    People will never be happy cuz if he had continued to rap they would have complained that he was to old and now that hes making money in other ways, people still complain!

    Just be happy that he is doing his own thing and making it work for him! We should be applauding him and all of his endeavors!

  • Nicole

    If Jay-Z does not repent from his oath and wickedness and blood sacrifices, he will burn in the lake of fire. And his supporters who do not repent of idolatry will burn too. You do not idolize some man who worships Satan. This man has done NOTHING but bring our race down. His fans are idolaters and will go to hell if they do not repent.

  • Let’s get deep

    @ young, just like your name says, you are young and deceived.

    It doesn’t have to take the obvious to know the truth. The devil doesn’t have to come with two horns, looking like a beast, all weird to know that’s the devil. God doesn’t have to come with all white, angelic, to know that’s God. Everything that seems good does not mean it’s good.

    That’s the reason, the Bible talks a lot about lies, deception, calling truth a lie, and lies the truth, because HE’s aware that it’s all in the mind, and subconscious. Before the whole illuminati, mason got out of control, I’ve always said, all these artists including Beyonce that are been refered to as christians, is an insult to God. Their lifestyle says nothing of what a christian should be like, according to the Bible, so it shouldn’t even be that hard to figure out. Of course, Jay z will come out and say, my lyrics are taken out of context, and given wrong intrepretation. In his eyes, I don’t mean any evil, but he knows better, and he will play his game well, but gullible, confused, deceived people will run with it. Jay z, and many artists out there are very confused. They say I believe in God, win an award and thank God, but fail to understand that God has standards, and if you are not following them, this same God of the Bible is not ok with that, and there are consequences for you actions.

    So, some people who say things like, this person worships the devil, does not necessarily mean like the person sees devil eye to eye, and both have meetings together, even though they are some obvious devil worshippers out there too. But, it means you can’t serve two masters, you either serve one.

  • Just A Thought

    I’m not a fan of rap/hip hop (not sure what the politically correct term is) music. I could not tell you one album Jay Z has made. I liked his interview on Oprah and 60 minutes. I have nothing bad to say about the man because I do not know him. I’m not involved in the hip hop world/culture, so I can not speak on what influence he has on it’s followers. He has multiple jobs, wears multiple hats,from what news article say he is rich and successful, married, wants to start a family one day. I do not see him as overrated. He is a successful black man who is doing the best he can for his family and enjoying his life. My two cents!

  • bent

    Jay-Z is not overrrated no other mc has been as good or consistant as him for so long, Reasonable Doubt, The Blueprint, The Black Album,American Gangster all clasic albums & he sets more trends thatn any other rapper i love nas too but his flow is almost always the same & he picks some horribe beats sometimes, Pac is the most overrated rapper ever his lyrics are very basic corny metaphors & punchlines and the dude was not a thug before rap at all hes not even from the west coast People who think that Jay-Z music is all money cash hoes need to listen to songs like Regrets, This Cant be Life, & Meet The Pearents just to name a few best MC’s ever are Jay-Z, Biggie, Nas, & Rakim

  • excuse me

    islam is not a cult..it is a monotheistic religion that worships Allah (GOD in Arabic)…how dare u put it in the same category…idiot

  • Miss Sonchee holla

    @excuse me

    Let em’ know ……….knowledge is Power..With Research you get a better under standing of the “world” around you …..Peace

  • Anon

    @Truth be told (the original)

    You are so on point. You have insight beyond your years.

  • Lee

    And these are the things we glorify now days….. This world is slowly gowing down the drain.

  • Bey-nonsense

    10000000000000000% agree w/ Cdean-melosch

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