JAY-Z TALKS TO PLAYBOY: Rapper talks about future plans and more in recent issue.


Jay-Z
(Mar. 5, 2003) *Roc-a-fella Records flagship emcee Jay-Z has long been recognized as a player and now he's graduated to being a Playboy ... or is that demoted? We're not quite sure. Anyhow, he's in the April issue of Playboy magazine. There are several highlights contained in the piece. Wanna read some of 'em? Here we go!
On his future: "Next album is my last album. I'm freeing up my time. The next one's coming with a book, so you know it's the end. Now I really mean it. Write the book, release the Black Album, go head Universal, have kids. And run Universal Records. Not black music, either ... I got to run the whole ship. I'll make it cool to be different. Don't sound like everybody else-we don't even accept that."

His next album: "It's my last album. I want it to be the prequel to Reasonable Doubt. I want my mother to open it, then I go through my life and end saying how I want to do “Ain't No Nigga.” I want it to come out on November 28-Black Friday. Then, no more albums”

On money: “I'm trying to get grown up and not talk about figures anymore. I'm learning that the big cats don't talk about money, only us ignorant rappers. I have to get sophisticated with my paper. I'm not nouveau money ... I fire my accountant every year. Every time I pay taxes, he's fired. Uncle Sam did not go in that recording booth with me. He didn't bang his head against the wall until he came up with the hook for Hovi Baby. It's crazy, the checks that I send to the government, for nothing. And then my accountant says, 'Be happy that you're fortunate enough to cut this check.' Oh yeah? F*ck you! You're fu*king fired! That's my response. Then I hire him back, because he's right."

His role as a leader: “I believe that every black person has a responsibility. When you do good, everyone is looking at you-every black person. So you're the same person as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. I'm not just representing the hood and Roc-A-Fella Records, I'm representing for the whole culture. A lot of people look at me like they looked at Martin Luther King”

The April issue of Playboy is on newsstands now.
[This message was edited Thu Mar 6 8:47:50 PST 2003 by Harlepolis]

What an idiot!! He knows nothing about pioneering or representing!! So sad...

Tina (~!~)

Jay-z as Martin Luther King or Rosa Parks .. Please.. The only celebrity I respect is Oprah. Not for her money, but the things she does. In hip hop, I respect KRS-one and Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, and Rakim, . I'm only 20 so I'm not that old. I know Jay-z and Damon Dash have a foundation to help kids go to school. Many of those rappers have community centers and things for thier community. Those rappers are the only ones who would even attempt to make a stop through the hood. Colin Powell won't, Will Smith, Condellezza Rice, etc. These are probably more positive blacks, but they only visually get to see them on TV. And for some reason kids believe rappers are more down to earth. But I'm sorry, he isn't on the level of Martin Luther King. Maybe it's generational. Although I'm 20, Tupac was more in my area. I think he is an very important person and black figure, but many adults older then me would disagree. I'd say Tupac will be more of a rememberable figure then Jay-z. Even though I love, love Pac for his lyrics and music(he wasn't cute to me). I'm not stupid enough to say he is more important then Martin Luther King or Malcolm X or Marcus Garvey. It's about knowing history. Any parent who would let thier child say that a rapper is more important then a civil rights leader didn't raise their child well. Jay-z still would be an ass( in the hood if it wasn't for Martin Luther King fighting for our rights or Rosa Park. All who came together and fought for the cause. Jay-z is 33 and finally has learned that talking about your money isn't neccessary. Although, he's matured. I don't see why anyone would enter a relationship with dude. He looks like a immature player. Although he is 33 he still looks like he is trying to act 22. His last album singing Girls, Girls, Girls. Will thier ever be a rapper who respects women. Or dn't these rappers see the respecting women other them your family member should be a priority. Finally learning at 33, not to talk about money. And just lasy year. He was in a elementary war or words with Nas. Grown men who have more money than the average Joe agrueing. These rappers leave the streets to make a better life then start unnessary bull propetuating the negative crap they were trying the leave behind. Grown men who just don't know how to walk away.
[This message was edited Thu Mar 6 9:37:37 PST 2003 by Harlepolis]

Jay-Z has done a LOT to destroy the positive force of Martin Luther King's work.

I lost anything I felt for Jay-Z the moment he started referring to himself as Hova.

if this ain't the biggest crock of b.s. i have heard so far this year...


jay-z

Harlepolis said:

My God!!! He is out of his goddamn mind...

It's refreshing to see him acknowledge how ignorant he and some rappers are about the whole money thing, but most of his others comments are ridiculous and immature. Hip/hop and rap videos these days are just plain sad. I'm tired of seeing the same old shit in most of these videos. If I have to see Puffy or P. Diddy (wtf) do his same old lame moves again, I'm going to be sick! I would rather watch Dinner with Delores than most of the videos that are popular today.

Its a damn shame but its the truth, most youngsters look at him the way black folks(in general) look at MLK.

I remember him in some radio interview saying to the kids to get away from classes and guess what? 1000s did.

He doesn't compare his work or virtues to those of MLK, just saying he's a high profile figure/role model in a similar sense.

He already said this anyway on his "Best Of Both Worlds" with R. Kelly, something like: "Nothing could be clearer, we're the Martin and Malcolm of a brand new era".

Jay-Z must be out of his mind!!

I see no appeal in him at all... his music sounds like crap to me!

His success can be attributed to a world full of music consumers who don't know what real music is supposed to sound like from a hole in the wall, and wouldn't know a real musician if one walked up behind them and bit them in the azz!

Essence said:

Those two idiots actually had the nerve to come up with a line like that!!! Well it only shows how irrelevant and ignorant they are and when I sit and really dwell on that line I am stunned that a couple goddamn rappers could even compare themselves to two of the greatest African-American's that ever lived...

Their success with children (which who they basically appeal to) has made them delusional...

Well, you know what they say: The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Wait until this fool's CDs stop selling and nobody will remember who the hell he is in a few years.

I Ain't a Big Fan of His Stuff Period.I'll give Him a few Songs here&there&that's it.Jay Z. Pimped Playboy with what He said.He just threw that out there&why not say it? 2Pac to many Kids Coming up now is the Malcolm X of His Generation.Jay Z Hustles Period&there is a Segment that is gonna buy into whatever He has to say.Black Artists in America are Held up High especailly when they Have Great Success like Jay Z has had.when you are Black&out in Public you are always Representing.I wouldn't Compare Jay Z to Dr.King for a number of Reasons but I'll say His Voice Obviously Matters to White America that Bought into His Take on "Hard Knock Life".Coming from the Hood&Making the American Dream you gotta give it up to Him on that Front.I ain't a Fan of His&it was hard for me to listen to Him with R.Kelly.I didn't want R. working with Lay Z but I got over that.but I give Jay Z Hustle Points.

mistermaxxx said:

The brutha used to get alot of points from me back when his 2 1st LPs re out matta o' fact I still have 'em. They were raw, real and he was doing his thang without worrying about the money and that flashy shit. But after that,,he started messing with the mainstream bullshit and thats HOW artists lose their glow fast. My brutha who was down with his music like "&" back in the day flipped on him now and like many bruthas out there they'll be calling him a "fake nigga" and I don't know why.

Harlepolis said:

I still Respect His Hustle but the thing is that Cats talk all kinds of Shit about there Image&then when they Blow Up they Get a Grammy or get to hang out with Michael Jackson or someone else that is Large&then the Little Azz Biotch Comes out of them!! they Screaming like they are 12 years old again instead of just being Real from jump street you know? nobody gets into the Music Business without Hustling&wanting to make it Big.

mistermaxxx said:

Speaking of MJ, do you know that he recorded a song with him back when he released "The Blueprint"?? You could find his interview in MTV.com talking about that. I guess now is the right time 2 release it. LOL Smart,,very smart,,,gotta give him credit 4 his brains

Harlepolis said:

Mike was Suppose to Be on the Re-Mix To "Girls,Girls,Girls" but it got withdrawn just like MJ doing 3 tracks with Swizz Beats back in 00-01 as well.Jay Z knows how the Hustle goes&I don't fault Him for that at all.

kisscamille said:

As for the MLK comment, OH MY...

Harlepolis said:

Yup, Jay Zzzz has a dream.

AprilMichelle said:

No he hasn't. I blame Nike.
[This message was edited Thu Mar 6 15:33:42 PST 2003 by JohnnyTheFox]

Jay Z also Gave it Up FOR"DA KANG OF MODERN R&B" R.Kelly.Jay Z Called Him The Greatest Writer of His Time.Now that is Game Given up to Game.

Essence said:

and you get incensed by people who defend the things MJ says/does

Harlepolis said:

Blah, blah, blah. He had the same song and dance 5 or 6 years ago. He'll keep making albums as long as there is dinero in it for him. No need to even front.

Supernova said:

I say yes&No: No because Damon Dash added Cam'Ron to Roc A Fella&Jay&Him aren't to cool.Cohen the President of Def Jam tried to make a Side deal for Jay Z&I Don't know how that is gonna play itself out.but then I say Yes:Because with His Track Record He is close to 10 Albums&Why Leave now while He is still rolling??

stymie said:

agreed.

mistermaxxx said:

LAWD, will it evah stop??!!

In ten years... Jay who?

Hmmm, Interesting stuff...abit full of "self" but what else is new with alot of these cats & there thoughts when questioned? Not the worse if I had 2 drop that on a scale 2 what others let leak from there lids.

He's doing the do him & Dash...clocking in much ca$h & expanding in2 different joint ventures...He does got skillz/respect & credit that many others wish 2 obtain. But what any of these brothas do in terms of leaving the game or staying...2 see if they can top there best etc...I could really give a "not luck" about it.

Too Short tried 2 retire 2 only comeback, DMX saying one more LP and its quits ville cuz like many artist they are starting 2 speakout about not really making the kind of money as they feel they should...hating that everyones got there hands in them pockets. Record companys being the master, them the slaves etc...Sales in music all the way around are down...Thus doing movies, starting your own clothing line etc...seems 2 B that way 2 help them not only make much more bank or as Dash calls it "cake" but gives them more of a foundation 2 fall back on when them music sells start really taking a dip.

I do like some joints by Jay...but like anyone Pac Cube or Cool J...I dig what I dig...and Jigga's new single with P. Williams is the cut as is Snoops joint with Williams...lol, I don't care I'll bump that...2 get shallow 4 a second, Jay's female interest is sooo hot in that video, dig...But Yeah the brothas is tryin 2 raise the bar, thou in doing so will not always make sense ala his comment about "King".

He's growing up going through his changes that all artist have 2 go through...Prince did it his way, so U just let it B. If I were a teen in 2003 I would not think of Jay Z as a leader even if he were one of only 5 men left in this world with his own country...What hes been about is everything but what a "true leader" stands 4. And I don't think Pac was a person 2 look at as a positive leader as well...talent is talent good songs poetry etc...Great stuff but a Leader? Someone 2 trust and put faith in or someone who U know is in his right mind of thinking more times then not...Hellno!

Outside of there music, can we learn things...take life lessons... can we get inspired by the rags 2 riches stories...sure U can, thats it 4 me.