After JAY-Z referred to Donald Trump as a “superbug” during the premiere of CNN’s The Van Jones Show on Saturday (January 27), the current POTUS fired back. On Sunday (January 28), Trump headed to his favorite mode of communication — Twitter — to respond to the Hip Hop giant and patted himself on the back for a decline in the African-American unemployment rate.
“Somebody please inform Jay-Z that because of my policies, Black Unemployment has just been reported to be at the LOWEST RATE EVER RECORDED!,” Trump wrote.
Trump’s retort was specifically aimed at Hov’s answer to Van Jones’ question about whether it’s acceptable for Trump “to say terrible things but put money in our pockets” amid Trump’s assertion that unemployment for African-Americans has dropped.
The 4:44 mastermind refuted that claim “because it’s not about money at the end of the day. Money doesn’t equate to happiness. It doesn’t. That’s missing the whole point.”
He added, “You treat people like human beings. That’s the main point. It goes back to the whole thing — ‘treat me really bad and pay me well.’ It’s not going to lead to happiness, it’s going to lead to, again, the same thing. Everyone’s going to be sick.”
As reported by CNN, there’s been a slight improvement. In 1990, only 11.3 percent of African-Americans had four-year college degrees, compared to 22 percent for whites, according to Census data. In 2017, those numbers had risen to 24 percent and 34.5 percent.
Hov was the first guest on The Van Jones Show and during the conversation, he opened up about his marriage to Beyoncé, the #MeToo movement and his critically acclaimed album, 4:44.
(The original version was published on January 27, 2018 and can be found below.)
JAY-Z already confessed his extramarital affair on his 14th studio album, 4:44. On the title track, he issued an apology to his wife Beyoncé and seemed genuinely haunted by his indiscretions.
“I apologize often womanize/ Took for my child to be born/ See through a woman’s eyes/ Took for these natural twins to believe in miracles/ Took me too long for this song/ I don’t deserve you,” he rapped. Now, as the first guest on The Van Jones Show on CNN, Hov explains in further detail why he decided to fight for his marriage.
“[She’s] my soul mate, the person I love,” he said. “For us, we chose to fight for our love. For our family. To give our kids a different outcome. To break that cycle for black men and women.”
He added, “We were never a celebrity couple — we were a couple that happened to be celebrities. We are real people.”
Elsewhere in the interview, the Hip Hop mogul touched on several politically charged topics, including the #MeToo movement. He believes it’s comparable to civil rights struggles.
“What we’re finding out?,” he asked. “It’s like racism — it existed the whole time. It’s almost like we normalized it. It’s the normalization of the things we do to survive. “I believe everything happens for a reason. Everything is a learning experience — the good, bad and the ugly. You know, this had to happen … What’s the alternative? You have to survive in America … things needed to be uncovered for the world to correct itself. … This had to happen for the world to purge itself.”
Although the full interview isn’t available (yet), watch a clip above where JAY-Z opens up about his firstborn daughter Blue Ivy, Trump’s “shithole”comment and the aforementioned #MeToo movement.
I’m not a fan of jay z or his new album but i have to give credit to jay z. He is finally growing up and that is so freshing to see. He has a smart, beautiful black woman so what more do you need. Plus, i respected how he invested his money to get more capital and power. Although, he sold out to get there. Which is problematic. I hate when some hip hop artists sell out like jay z and eminem.
Sell out lol the 2 biggest hiphop artists ever let me guess u listen to migos,yaughty,and lil pump?
Hell no! I don’t listen to migos and the rest of that trash. I’m from the golden era. Hip hop is the only thing that gets played in this ride. Eminem has been selling out for years especially with this album. Jay z in the past has done rnb and pop singles as well. You can’t be the greatest of all time if you sell out the game. For example, taylor swift can’t be the goat in country music because she does pop music now.
Fair enough ems new album ain’t great but if they’ve sold out name me 1 rapper who aint
Most hip hop artists do not sell out. They love the music no matter how much money their getting. For example, public enemy has never sold out to get more money. P.E. keeps on making incredible music after 25 years in the game. Chuck d and many others understand what selling out is all about. The more the music is watered down the easier it is to have no talented gay rappers rule the day. At some point, rap music will be all white and hip hop will be dead. The same thing happened to black rock and real jazz.
I understand your point, but you aren’t right or wrong at the same time. Little of Jay-Z’s accumulated wealth came from his music. It came from his business acumen, investments, and his ability to adapt to a growing market. That’s not selling out, that’s being damn smart with your wealth. Jay’s catalog musically is among the best in the history of hip hop. His dedication to the craft and longevity in music speaks to that, so your perceived argument of him not loving the music holds no water. Speaking of water, Jay’s music is RARELY watered down, 4:44 is probably the deepest album he’s ever done. As for your PE argument (I love PE btw), didn’t Flav do “Flavor of Love”, probably one of the most embarrassing things many of us have ever witnessed for money? One of RUN DMC’s biggest hits was “Walk This Way” with Aerosmith, did they sell out? What about Puff? Or 50? Almost all of LL’s catalog is pop, is he a sell out? I think we as a culture equate any measure of success as “selling out”. Now I’m not talking about the buffoonery in hip hop right now, I’m talking about those that actually advanced the culture as opposed to setting us back. This is a good discussion.
I respected how jay z moves his money around to gain more wealth thats what you should do. But jay z did put out rnb and pop music to make even more money. If we keep selling out black music it will be gone. Black rock and jazz are now rock n roll and smooth jazz. Most black artists can’t make money in rock n roll and smooth jazz. We need to keep our own black music before hip hop is mostly white. We must learn from history otherwise were going to repeat it. Puffy daddy and 50 were never hip hop to me. Puff sampled way too much and didn’t write his own songs. I don’t consider that hip hop. 50 was a weak rapper. He was more popular than good. I guess because he was shot 9 times and lived. L.L. cool j. did have a few sell out songs at the end of his career. His career was fading so i guess that’s why he did it. Run dmc’s style included guitars in their music. Rock n roll comes from black rock. Run dmc was just taking back black rock. But i did say most hip hop artists do not sell out because black culture is more important than the money. I admit it was a good convo between you and i.
I’m always interested to hear how Jay “sold out”. “Sell out” is often a synonym for “Crab in the bucket”. I’m interested in hearing your explanation.
Jay z watered down the music to get more money and white people. In the past, he did rnb and club songs to sell out. Hip hop music doesn’t include club bangers and rnb beats. The songs can be soulful but not rnb. If you want more money and white people to listen to your music, find a way within the boundaries of hip hop to achieve more money and white people. If white people want black music and they do, why must we change the music to suit them. When i say white people, i mean the pop audience. I don’t mean the white fans that are down with just hip hop music.
Why he fought for his marriage? You do realize that he is married to Beyonce right? Jay rich and all but he can’t do no better than Beyonce.
As he said they’re “real people.” Hugh Grant cheated on supermodel Elizabeth Hurley with a prostitute. Don’t think it matters who they are.
You make it sound like anybody can do better than Beyonce, like she’s not one of the baddest women on the planet. Its obviously deeper than that for him and I imagine at some point before they decided to push through it, he was at real risk of losing his marriage. Jay probably can’t remember the last time he couldn’t just do whatever the fuck he wanted when he wanted and he clearly got a wakeup call here.
Cause she’s Beyonce
Me too a civil rights movement???? yeah right! If I was married to beyonce I’d make sure I stay married to beyonce. That girl classy in the streets and a freak in private. haha
King HOV wants to keep his Queen. There ain’t a hip hop’s powerful couple without one or the other. Meanwhile, broke ass Nas keeps hooking up with trashy hoes and getting his bank account sucked dry by Kelis.
why the fuck always mention nas u idiot ? grown up u little hater nas aint broke stop talking shit
Why the fuck are you on a King HOV article, you broke Nas stan? Go jack off to Oochie Wally, you bitch.
Jay Z dickrider
i like jay z not the biggest fan but i like some of his music thats why im here u idiot and im not a kid like u who always disrespects other rappers specialy the OGs !!
This is tabloid news right here I guess you gotta sprinkle in some heavyweights between all the rainbow hair junkie no talent mumble bums that you keep spot lighting
Comparing the #METOO movement to the civil right movement is so ridiculous and asinine…look like JAY-Z has gone full SJW on us….
Jesus, is that Bill Cosby in that photo? Damn Jay-Z put the makeup back on and get them pubes off ya face
The Don destroys Jay-Z with the lowest black un=e/mplo;yme.nt=_ [r[a][t]e] ever, now thats a story.
Donald trump has done nothing for black unemployment. Trump is just riding the wave of the Obama economy. Tell me how trump helped the black unemployment. You can’t. Don chump is a fraud. He doesn’t understand economy policies. Racist 45 is too damn stupid that’s why you guys like him. The only thing lil chump knows is tax breaks for the rich. Unless your rich, you got screw too. Look at all the companies that are laying off people.
Hahahahahahahaha…. please explain how this is because of Obama? If it was Obama who did this why would we he wait until he was out of office to help reduce black unemployment? Was that all apart of his mast plan? Yes that makes so much sense.
what did obama do for black people? guy couldn’t even help his own hometown. before trump ran for pres no one called him racism. its all media garb from democrats. open your eyes.
consumer optimism has been heading upward since november 2016, but don’t bother trying to tell a baby facts, they will continue to whine
Money doesn’t equate happiness… says the one who has rapped about money for more than two fuckin decades, the one sitting on 600 million lmao.
Exactly. Everything about jay-z life is a result of America’s unrestricted capitalism, which the democrats have been trying to take away since the late 70s. People like this only align with the Democratic party due to image concerns, while everything his life’s work represents stands in stark contradiction to their philosophy.
You no-mustache-havin’ With whiskers like a rat.
Compared to Beans you wack. And your man stabbed Un and made YOU take the blame…
My Man.
0% truth to Trumps claims, his policies have contributed absolutely nothing to black unemployment. What we are now witnessing are the results of Obama’s administration which were predicted to take effect after his presidency. Some one get this close the fuck outta here
All true from Trump. Since taking the reins from President Obama, President Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress have embraced free-market and pro-liberty economic policies. Now – after a year of reducing regulations, approving a tax cut, and encouraging stricter standards for numerous welfare programs at the state level – the economy is thriving. Working-age minorities are benefitting in ways they have rarely, if ever, have enjoyed in the modern era. The Trump-era economic gains are allowing more and more families to move off welfare rolls and enjoy self-sufficiency and the pride that comes with regular work. Trump is winning. And now finally, minorities are winning, after 8 years of record highs in number of people on public assistance under Obama.
Employment for whites AND blacks have been trending down for the past 6 or 7 years. Nice Try.
Yes, during the Obama era.. Exactly.
I meant unemployment trending down. Just re-read that.
Fuck both you devils…..
The only “truth” to anything you said was Trump approved a tax cut, you just left out the part that it mainly benefited the upper class and cooperate business. The truth is, the Trump administration has been a disgrace. His inability to control his self and the things he says has many in his own cabinet to believe he may be suffering from dementia. President Obama set in place the economic polices that explain the record lows of people on public assistance (raising minimum wage was approved under Obama) and the record lows of black unemployment.
Jay Z the original Lil Wayne
Alright, im confused what was the reason for this. Can we just let trump do whatever he needs to do, because harrassing him isn’t helping the cause just saying. i dont really care for trump either, but i gave obama a chance and he kinda fucked up with the crime rate. so HARASSING SOMEONE DOESN’T PUSH THEM TO DO BETTER, JUST SAYING
Kyle Eustice is smothered in white guilt and the definition of liberal failure.
Eminem must be heartbroken Trump responded to this guy and still has nothing to say to him…
Nobody cares what Lay-Z, Enema or Scoop Dog Poop think about politics.
WHO GIVES A F*CK WHAT EMINEM, BITCH ASS SNOOP, AND CAMEL FACE JAY – Z GOT TO SAY. THEY AINT NOTHING BUT OLD ASS WASHED UP STILL TRYING TO RAP PUSSIES. F*CK ALL THEM RACIST BITCHES
Nobody gives a rat ass fuck what this orange retarded motherfucker tweets about, stop promotin this dumb sob its fucking #fakenews america