I love rap music. Maybe not all rap music, but I do like to listen to select artists.
As a matter of fact, one of my favorite rappers today is Jay-Z. Say what you want to about the Brooklyn native, but his ability to consistently deliver powerful lyrics that flow with literal and figurative meaning is amazing to say the least. By all accounts, Jay-Z is a lyrical genius when it comes to laying down tracks.
But even geniuses get things wrong sometimes.
A couple of weeks ago, Jay-Z and his wife Beyoncé were photographed in Havana, Cuba. U.S. Treasury Department regulations prohibit Americans from traveling to Cuba “unless authorized by a general or specific license.” Treasury officials said the trip was licensed as an educational exchange. While the couple celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary during the trip, they also fulfilled their requirements by meeting with administrators at La Colmenita children’s theater group; as well as students and teachers at the Superior Art Institute.
Many people criticized the trip and at the forefront of the opposition were Florida Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart. Outspoken Florida Sen. Marco Rubio was also in opposition of the trip.
I am not so bothered by Jay-Z and Beyoncé visiting Cuba. As a matter of fact, I think this may be more of a political and racial issue because most people who criticized the approval of the trip are white Republicans. Jay-Z and Beyoncé are not the only celebrities to visit Havana, but they are the only Black notables to visit the Communist country. Some of their white counterparts included actors Robert Redford, Sean Penn and Leonardo DeCaprio.
An aspect I do think Jay-Z is wrong in is how he chose to address the naysayers and critics.
Doing what he does best, Jay-Z recorded “Open Letter,” a response track that included the following lyrics: “Obama said ‘chill’ you gon’ get me impeached. You don’t need this s**t anyway. Chill with me on the beach.”
The White House denies any such conversation and Jay-Z is known to be a figurative rapper who has an innate ability to tell stories so the said conversation between Obama and Jay-Z probably did not exist.
The thing that perplexes me is why Jay-Z even felt the need to include that statement on the track in the first place.
Everyone knows Jay-Z and the president are cool. Jay-Z actually hosted a few fundraisers and concerts in support of Obama. It’s common knowledge. Everyone also knows that the president has admitted to liking Jay-Z’s music. Again, common knowledge.
So why was it so essential for Jay to make the statement – whether it is true or false?
The answer?
Arrogance.
In Jay-Z’s arrogant gesture, he has given opponents of Obama yet another thing to scrutinize. And again, the conversation probably never happened, so now the president has to do damage control over something that in the grand scheme of things is unimportant.
Jay-Z has the power to reach millions of people through his music. It would have been more significant and empowering had the content of “Open Letter” shared the conflict and turmoil Cubans are facing in the Communist country.
Jay-Z has successfully transitioned himself from being a former drug dealer to one of the highest-grossing rappers of all time. He had a tough life growing up and I’m sure he has seen some stuff none of us can imagine. However, when you walk amongst presidents and other highly-respected individuals, that street mentality should take a back seat.
You can email comments to Shannon Williams at shannonw@indyrecorder.com.
