JAY-Z rarely does interviews or guest features these days, but he’s granted both this year. Hov sat down with Kevin Hart for an episode in season two’s Hart to Heart, which debuted on Peacock on Thursday (July 14).
Among the myriad of topics discussed, Jay spoke about how he’s stopped charging for guest verses and is super selective to which artists he collaborates with these days, but it ultimately comes down to his relationship with the person.
“It’s mostly relationships,” the Roc Nation co-founder said. “It’s actually always been mostly relationships. Sometimes it’s talent and sometimes someone asks me to be on something. Pretty much every song that I’m on I’m asked to be on. I don’t ask people to be on their songs. I never charge.”
It can be a tough proposition when curving some of his rap friends, but Jay tries to be as up-front with them as possible when dodging feature requests.
“I try to be straight up,” the Brooklyn mogul continued. “Sometimes it slips through the cracks. Sometimes I want to do it and my life is in a certain place and I’m movin’ and I can’t do it. But I typically try to be straight up with people. I don’t like to drag or like waste people’s time or hold them.”
JAY-Z Speaks On Rap Retirement: 'Who Am I To Shut It Off?'
Hov appeared on just one track in 2022 as he hopped on Pusha T’s “Neck & Wrist” with Pharrell, which landed on King Push’s It’s Almost Dry album.
The nearly 50-minute conversation covers a lot of ground and finds JAY-Z reflecting on topics like fatherhood, retirement and more.
Watch the entire episode below.
https://youtu.be/yO4utc-QwKc
I can respect that way more than Snoop charging and jumping on whatever as long as you cut the check.
Snoop just doesn’t have the amount of money Jay has. Not that I care either.
And snoop is a gimmick man….he’s not very talented in Hip Hop….he once had something, but he didn’t get better, he just continued the drinking and smoking and capitalizing off of that image.
Jigga used to be such a fresh dude, well groomed now fella looking like that crack head with the matted hair where he’s laid on it too long!!
Thats because he got sweatpants money.
If one of the GOATS don’t charge. Who the hell are y’all mumbling bums to charge 10 racks?
yes let’s do a song
He was charging Joe Budden an astronomical number for remixing Pump It Up tho.
Context matters. During that time Jay said he was no longer helping people unless they were signed to him. He helped blow a few people up and everyone started acting entitled.
HIS VERSE ON NECK AND WRIST DEFINITELY SOUNDED LIKE A FREE VERSE.