Breaking Down the Jay-Z NYT Interview

Picking up the gems carefully dropped by Mr. Carter

New York Times Magazine Cover

If you haven’t watched it yet, Jay-Z sat down with New York Times editor executive editor Dean Baquet to discuss his new album 4:44, his thoughts on racial inequality in the United States, and share nuggets on his personal life in perhaps the best interview of 2017. In the edited 35 minute interview, which was recorded close to two months ago, but just released this week, the rapper/mogul/sports agent turned in perhaps his most candid interview ever. The conversation was also written about by Baquet (and transcribed), which you can read here.

The timing of this interview dropping now made sense, as Jay just recently received 8 Grammy Award nominations, including nominations in the categories for Rap Album of the Year and the elusive Album of the Year. Representing one of the most powerful voices in the world (and the music industry today), Hova is using his platform to once again lay the blueprint for social change.

still taken from The Story of O.J. music video

[On the Story of O.J.]: “It’s a nuanced song, you know. It’s like, I’m specifically speaking to us. And about who we are and how do you maintain the sense of self while pushing it forward and holding us to have a responsibility for our actions.”

The Story of O.J. is perhaps the most socially and politically charged record on the album, referencing O.J. Simpson and how he turned his back on the African American community and culture once he reached a certain level of fame and wealth. Jay acknowledges that given his status, Simpson could’ve given back to raise up others to afford them the chances that he was provided, but instead kept to himself, insisting, “I’m not black, I’m O.J.”.

“And for us, like I’m saying, to speak to that the point is, “Don’t forget that,” because that’s really not the goal. The goal is not to be successful and famous. That’s not the goal. The goal is, if you have a specific God-given ability, is to live your life out through that. One. And two, we have a responsibility to push the conversation forward until we’re all equal. Till we’re all equal in this place. Because until everyone’s free, no one’s free, and that’s just a fact.”

This marks quite an ideological change for Mr. Carter, as he is no longer concerned with the Money, Cash, Hoes, but instead in using your innate talents to build yourself up, then use that platform to raise others up along with you. He is trying to be the anti-OJ Simpson and create a better future for the generation to follow him, including his children.