Jay-Z
I was recently listening to the Hardwood Hustle Podcast by Adam Bradley and Alan Stein in which they discussed whether or not Jay-Z should be considered a role model. You can listen to the discussion here: http://www.strongerteam.com/2013/11/13/hardwood-hustle-basketball-podcast-is-jay-z-a-positive-role-model/
Having grown up a giant Jay-Z fan, I wanted to weigh in on the discussion.
Jay-Z is one of the most popular and successful people in the world today. He embodies the ever-so glamorous American Dream in which an individual overcomes particularly daunting circumstances and becomes a model of success by way of dedication and hard work. He grew up in public housing in the Marcy Projects of Brooklyn and now possesses a net worth of over $500 million (http://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/richest-rappers/jay-z-net-worth/). Who wouldn't want such a substantial reward for life's worth of labor? Better-yet, who wouldn't want their own children to devote themselves to a craft and receive a $500 million return on their investment. Aside from that, Jay-Z distinguishes himself from other rappers with excellent business savvy, social intelligence, as well as his apparent political influence stemming from his relationship with our president. A man worth that kind of money who is revered by the youth as well as the likes of Warren Buffet, Oprah Winfrey, and LeBron James seems like the sort of man most would desire to emulate.
However, it's pretty common knowledge that the beginning of Jay-Z's successful career was not so imitation-worthy. "There wasn’t a lot of opportunity for ambitious Marcy kids like Shawn [Jay-Z]. Given the choice between applying for a job at McDonald’s or becoming a drug dealer, he chose the latter. In Brooklyn, that was the definition of a hustler: somebody who hit the streets to sell drugs" (http://www.incomediary.com/decoded-17-secrets-to-jay-zs-entrepreneurial-success) Jay-Z initially founded his Roc-A-Fella record label that produced many of his #1 and platinum-selling records largely with drug money:
Having grown up a giant Jay-Z fan, I wanted to weigh in on the discussion.
Jay-Z is one of the most popular and successful people in the world today. He embodies the ever-so glamorous American Dream in which an individual overcomes particularly daunting circumstances and becomes a model of success by way of dedication and hard work. He grew up in public housing in the Marcy Projects of Brooklyn and now possesses a net worth of over $500 million (http://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/richest-rappers/jay-z-net-worth/). Who wouldn't want such a substantial reward for life's worth of labor? Better-yet, who wouldn't want their own children to devote themselves to a craft and receive a $500 million return on their investment. Aside from that, Jay-Z distinguishes himself from other rappers with excellent business savvy, social intelligence, as well as his apparent political influence stemming from his relationship with our president. A man worth that kind of money who is revered by the youth as well as the likes of Warren Buffet, Oprah Winfrey, and LeBron James seems like the sort of man most would desire to emulate.
However, it's pretty common knowledge that the beginning of Jay-Z's successful career was not so imitation-worthy. "There wasn’t a lot of opportunity for ambitious Marcy kids like Shawn [Jay-Z]. Given the choice between applying for a job at McDonald’s or becoming a drug dealer, he chose the latter. In Brooklyn, that was the definition of a hustler: somebody who hit the streets to sell drugs" (http://www.incomediary.com/decoded-17-secrets-to-jay-zs-entrepreneurial-success) Jay-Z initially founded his Roc-A-Fella record label that produced many of his #1 and platinum-selling records largely with drug money:
- "10 #1 albums in a row, who better than me? Only the Beatles, nobody ahead of me" -Jay-Z "Reminder"
Selling drugs is illegal. It was back then and it still is now. To gloss over this fact as just another step in Mr. Carter's progression to where he is now is irresponsible. The success of drug dealers is built entirely upon the severe addictions of the dealer's customers. Some of these addicts are husbands neglecting their wives, mothers neglecting their children, and adolescents flushing their lives down the drain. I think we need to remember that the method by which Jay-Z got his career rolling likely led to the destruction of many lives of New Yorkers in the 80s and early 90s.
Some might argue, "Well that's his past; would you like people to judge you on your past?" Of course not. However, that line of questioning implies that the individual with the past has since overcome it and improved their moral character. I don't know Jay-Z personally but I am not convinced that side of him has changed. Take the time to Google his disputes with Jaz-O, Damon Dash, Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Amil, the Young Gunz, Peedi Crack, and so many others. Building an empire for himself at the expense of other people are the pillars on which Jay-Z currently stands.
On Jay-Z's current album Magna Carta, he raps in his song "Heaven" that "God is my chauffer, boy they love Hova [himself]" and "I confess, God in the flesh":
"Two meanings here:
- The orthodox Christian confession is belief in Jesus Christ as incarnate God: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.”
- Jay is actually denying the orthodox position in favor of confessing himself as “God in the flesh” (not for the first time, either). Notice that he, not the Lord, is the one to “turn arenas into churches.”
I’m not a Jehovah-man, I’m J-Hova, man!"
The worldview that Jay-Z seems to present over and over again is that we exist simply to be as successful as we possibly can by any means necessary. Is that a role that we want children to model? I strongly believe this is the bigger issue over and above the foul language or derogatory terms present in his music. Kids are going to curse; that's about as inevitable as inevitability gets these days. What is preventable, however, is a child's perception of the world around him. If a child grows up believing that people are commodities - mere cogs whose sole existence to contribute to that child's success, then we will continue to breed selfish little monsters with big dreams and loose morals.Sure, Jay-Z possesses some admirable qualities which would be wonderful for people to emulate. We should work hard. We should show resiliency in the face of opposition. However, we should not believe that financial success or artistic creativity is the ultimate good in this world. Most will try to employ Jay-Z's philosophy, fail, and subsequently become miserable. What needs to be embraced as the ultimate good is the love, trust, and commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord. Jesus also promotes hard work and resilience, yet never at the expense of others. Success in the eyes of Christ is receiving his grace by way of his death, burial, and resurrection through our faith, and beginning eternal life right now with his guidance. Men and women who teach and preach this truth are the ones who children need to follow because the result cannot be anything other than successful.There is nothing inherently wrong with finding Jay-Z entertaining, but for one to model his life or follow his teachings would be a major mistake. Model Christ; follow the Bible.-Coach Felix
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