Jay-Z’s rise from a young, aspiring rapper in the Marcy Projects of Brooklyn to a billionaire owner of multiple profitable companies is normally lauded by the hip-hop community and the world at large. However, some recent comments of his regarding the word capitalism and how it is used towards Black people have caused many to scratch their heads or flat out disagree with the 4:44 artist.
Ok den pic.twitter.com/waMQkIldVm
— Rob Markman
(@RobMarkman) September 1, 2022
In a Twitter Spaces with journalist Rob Markman on Wednesday (August 31), Hov addressed critics who he feels are trying to downplay all he has accomplished. “Before it was the American Dream: ‘Pull yourself up by your bootstraps. You can make it in America.’ All these lies that America told us our whole life and then when we start getting it, they try to lock us out of it. They start inventing words like ‘capitalist.’ We’ve been called ‘n****rs’ and ‘monkeys’ and sh*t. I don’t care what words y’all come up with. Y’all gotta come with stronger words.”
Imagine choosing dinner with Jay Z over 500k and he tells you that the word “capitalism” was invented recently
https://t.co/EtdHjGe1oJ
— cori (@KISARVGI) September 1, 2022
Jay z said eat the rich and capitalism just terms yall created to tear down the black ppl who became rich. I have no idea how ppl ain’t burst out laughing
— Scott Perry Fan Account (@MFZOOM12) September 1, 2022
While it is safe to assume he had good intentions, the execution and misunderstanding of capitalism did not go over well with fans. While many acknowledged his mindset and comments are misguided, other fans used this opportunity to make a statement about celebrities at large.
I keep telling you, these celebrities some of you idolize will be the first to hide on planets after destroying Earth. They don’t care about any of us, we’re consumers, we’re to be exploited, they made it. Jay Z acting like capitalism is a slur is on brand.
— Goddess of BLACK. (@xm_muva) September 1, 2022
Jay Z talking a bunch of nonsense. Man implied that “capitalist” and “eat the rich” are words/terms that were created to keep black people down. Very unserious.
— Criserys I Targaryen (@TheBoyWhoWrote) September 1, 2022
Jay Z really was on that Space crying about us calling him a capitalist (he is). Then tried to say that calling Black rich folks capitalists is similar to the n word. LMAOOO.
— Bella Goth (@LilSexyCommie) September 1, 2022
Check out some of the many reactions from fans above.