I find #2 and #3 to be contradictory. Being a "business, man" is what Jay-Z is all about. He's made himself into a brand. Kids buy HP computers simply because he endorses them. That brand and iconic status is quite separate from his "businessman" status as founder of Roc-a-fella, CEO of Def Jam, owner of the 40/40 club, New Jersey Nets, etc. He definitely stays out of the limelight while running his businesses. That would be the being in the "food and beverage" mode. As Jay-Z the rapper, however, he has to take on a gigantic public image. You can't really follow #2 while abiding by #3.
I also wouldn't say 2001 was when Jay-Z was a "young star." He was already incredibly mainstream in the late 90's.
Of course, I understand that this post was more for entertainment value :)
I think the author of the blog post misinterpreted the lyric in number three. It isn't Jay-Z talking about himself. So it's not really contradictory:
The first verse is rumored to be about Jaz-O, his former mentor and business partner, or about long-time friend, business partner, and co-founder of Roc-a-fella Records Damon Dash.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_One
He's saying that they should have kept a low profile, while he, the 'business, man' developed his personal brand.
In reference to point 5 - That line made me respect Jay-Z as an artist. He isn't in my top 5, but that was honest of him to admit. In that song, he says something along the lines of "Lyrically, I'd rather be Talib Kweli". Now, Talib Kweli is in my top 5. He writes on some deeper topics then most mainstream artists, and as a result, is rarely heard of. Kweli, in a song he wrote after Moment of Clarity came out, would say:
> If lyrics sold then truth be told, I'll probably be just as rich and famous as jay-z
Anyways... A lot of rappers are ex-drug dealers. As a result, many of them are business-savy. I feel Jay-Z is the best example of this.
> Anyways... A lot of rappers are ex-drug dealers. As a result, many of them are business-savy. I feel Jay-Z is the best example of this.
L.L. Cool J., Missy Elliott, and Kanye West are just a few highly influential artists who have no known history of drug dealing or other criminal activity. And I think Stephen Levitt goes a long way to disproving the whole concept that "drug dealers are savvy businessmen" (http://www.ted.com/talks/steven_levitt_analyzes_crack_econom...)
I have not seen that TED talk, though I plan to. LL Cool J, Missy Elliot, and Kanye never rap about selling drugs either. In fact, the latter two were producers first.
I should edit my OP because the truth is that there are many sub-genres of hip hop, some of which are prevelant with the drug-dealing folklore and others which are not. It was wrong of me to make a blanket statement.
That has to be one of the best lines of all-time from Jay-Z. Great post. Thanks for sharing.