http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/local/wp/2013/07/25/why-jay-z-has-no-desire-to-be-our-generations-harry-belafonte/

This past weekend, Jay-Z and Beyonce attended a Trayvon Martin rally in New York City, standing in solidarity with the slain teen’s family, their lawyers and Al Sharpton. Later that night, Jay-Z and Justin Timerberlake closed out their sold-out “Legends of the Summer” concert at Yankee Stadium by dedicating the song “Forever Young” to the 17-year-old whose death has sparked international outrage.

Jay-Z spoke about the anger he felt upon hearing of George Zimmerman’s acquittal and how he sees America’s race relations in a recent interview with Rap Radar’s Elliot Wilson. While it’s disappointing to hear the rapper minimize the power of racism yet refreshing to hear him speak so passionately about the nonsensical “Stand Your Ground” laws, the most revealing part of the interview is Jay-Z’s comments related to civil rights activist Harry Belafonte. Explaining why he took offense to Belafonte’s critique of his lack of social responsibility, Jay-Z says, “My presence is charity. You know how many people are inspired by my story? Period. Cause it’s actual. It’s realized. It’s not hypothetical.”

Until now, no statement has more succinctly captured his outlook on social responsibility: “my presence is charity” explains it all. Jay-Z compares himself to President Obama as an inspirational figure who offers hope to people globally. He makes it clear that self-actualization and the ability to achieve massive success against all odds are powerful community contributions on their own.

These statements probably won’t come as a surprise to many who long ago stopped waiting for Jay-Z and hip-hop artists like him to mirror the activism of their elders. Those folks won’t be holding their breaths in anticipation of him and Kanye West boycotting Florida as many media outlets have been reporting. But this statement does explain why the music mogul prides himself on mentoring up-and-coming talent; he is committed to cultivating “the crop of next new legends” and celebrating the culture that made them who they are.

Ironically, this was at the core of Belafonte’s critique of Jay-Z and wife Beyonce. When asked to name “the enemy,” he responded: “Unbridled capitalism. The concentration of money in the hands of a very small group is the most dangerous thing that has ever happened to civilization.” In other words, it’s not enough that icons like Jay-Z, Beyonce and President Obama have been able to actualize the American Dream. Belafonte calls for something far more radical – a paradigm shift that critiques capitalism itself.

The relationship to capitalism is the fork in the road where Jay-Z and Belafonte will never meet; one man (Jay-Z) cherishes the throne that capitalism made him an heir to whereas the other man (Belafonte) believes the throne itself should be critiqued and transformed (or perhaps even dismantled). This intergenerational debate between two living legends is not merely a personal one; it gets at the heart of what divides the civil rights generation from the hip-hop generation. Where and when, if ever, will the two meet?

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if that is the case then we all belong especially as black people.

i think the knock against Jay is that he is a money hungry power tripping ego feasting turkey as to a person from the Hood who knows how cold that business is and when folks turn on you then its a wrap and since Jigga is on top, this is the time to use that forum, don't wait until you don't count anymore and then get all social.

personally to me Belefonte and Jay Z are Illuminati Senior and Junior however that is for a different day and thread and time or inbox, however Harry is right this time about Jay Z and Beyonce.

when you got that kind of audience. you have to use that base. Michael Jackson did and lets not act like Jay Z and Beyonce aren't following his blueprint of success.

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Your presence is charity? Really????

Like...I get what your saying, man....

You came from nothing and are now on Forbes list due to your hard work and effort and thoughtful means of marketing yourself and your brand.

Top shelf example of entrepreneurial-ism!

The definition of it!

You made it.....that's what up and worth commending.

But just because you are 'present' somewhere/anywhere, now you are a philanthropist?????

GTFOH, dawg!

Like you really on yourself that hard, man? lol

Your example is great, but most kids that look up to you won't know the ACTUAL information needed to do what you did.

Now if you actually dealt with them directly...mentored all those people you say are being led by your example, THAT would be a form of charity, I guess....but just because you step in a room and show your face don't make you Andrew Carnegie, nigga.

You aint Jesus, dawg!

"I heal the sick and raise the dead.....just by being alive" lmao!

FOH!

We see through all that boo boo like it's ghost shit... (c) Quelle Chris

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>Your example is great, but most kids that look up to you won't
>know the ACTUAL information needed to do what you did.
>
>Now if you actually dealt with them directly...mentored all
>those people you say are being led by your example, THAT would
>be a form of charity, I guess....but just because you step in
>a room and show your face don't make you Andrew Carnegie

i been tryna tell ppl this shit for years about him, at best i was a hater, at worst an undercover racist

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whenever you did these things to the least of my brothers you did them to me

of when Patrice Oneal was making fun of lady Gaga on O&A for talking about illegal immigration in her concert but want dare make a song about some real shit cause it might mess up her sales.

Jay just made a whole album and he didn't say shit about Trayvon or either way close to the situation but you found time to diss a legend in Harry Belafonte.

I mean come on Jay...you don't want to fuck up your pockets.. You have been about image and money above all just admit that shit and keep it moving. Don't act like he don't have a great point.

http://twitter.com/Menphyel7


"F you Im better in tune with the Infinite"

That is the single most egotistical thing I've ever heard. Like... that's a new planet of ego he's created. That's impressively self important of him.

Dude is out of touch with reality man..

smhX10000

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Look at how many people here have already said the nerve of this nigga and then go look at the GD post. Shit is night and day.

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=4&topic_id=12079052&mesg_id=12079052&listing_type=search#12083394

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Is because the GD post shows his whole quote, and this article only takes a piece of it.

Here's the whole thing, not that it necessarily makes a difference:

I’m offended by that because first of all, and this is going to sound arrogant, but my presence is charity. Just who I am. Just like Obama’s is. Obama provides hope. Whether he does anything, the hope that he provides for a nation, and outside of America is enough. Just being who he is. You’re the first black president. If he speaks on any issue or anything he should be left alone…I felt Belafonte he just went about it wrong. Like the way he did it in the media, and then he big’d up Bruce Springsteen or somebody. And it was like, “whoa,” you just sent the wrong message all the way around…Bruce Springsteen is a great guy. You’re this Civil Rights activist and you just big’d up the white guy against me in the white media. And I’m not saying that in a racial way. I’m just saying what it is. The fact of what it was. And that was just the wrong way to go about it.

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here's the interview, though: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re8S3xZbRNI

We see through all that boo boo like it's ghost shit... (c) Quelle Chris

| http://liveguy.bandcamp.com |
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That is an arrogant ass comment to make but I guess we helped create him.

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Geto Boys, Poison Clan, UGK, Eightball & MJG, OutKast, Goodie Mob

"If he speaks on any issue or anything he should be left alone…"

our democratically elected leader should not be held accountable for what he says & by extension, i guess, his policies

*shudder*

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whenever you did these things to the least of my brothers you did them to me

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whenever you did these things to the least of my brothers you did them to me