NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
As Hip Hop turns 50 this year, I wanted to dive into an album that I thought helped guide a movement as far as artists coming clean with their shortcomings. In 2017, Jay Z released what is easily regarded as his most personal album. Over the years, Jay has told stories of how he sold drugs, used women, evaded the police, and more. But it wasn’t until Beyonce’s album, Lemonade (where infidelity rumors began to swirl) that Jay decided to welcome his fans into his personal world.
Where Jay is now with his music and where he was before 4:44 are two different places. In this album, we have a man baring his soul to the world. While the lyrics weren’t what people would label as up to Jay’s standards, the message he got across was well received by the men it was geared towards.
Defining Jay Z is not easy. For those who are new to his music, you view him as a rapper who talks about money, art, clothes, champagne, and other worldly material things. And in this culture of Hip Hop, you would be right. However, to the ones who grew up on his music, we see him in a different light now. We understand where he came from. We know firsthand the dangers of growing up in the Projects, the issues of being raised in a single-parent home, and the pitfalls of being in the street life. We heard it all by Jay. What we were waiting for was– 4:44.
When I say we– I mean African-American men and boys.
Black Boys are the kids running around still living at home. The young men who are being tempted by the allure of the streets, and the ones following the trends these Hip Hop artists and entertainers set. Black Boys are our future. However, they’re also the ones listening, complaining, doing wrong, and living with regrets. Nowadays, we’re living life as if we’re still the little Black Boys running the streets, disrespecting women, killing our own parents, and not caring about our youth or our future. This is why we needed 4:44.
And if my children knew, I don’t even know what I would doIf they ain’t look at me the sameI would prob’ly die with all the shame“You did what with who?”What good is a ménage à trois when you have a soulmate?“You risked that for Blue?”If I wasn’t a superhero in your faceMy heart breaks for the day I had to explain my mistakes
Jay Z was that hustler. He was the one disrespecting women. He was the one who grew up in a single-parent home. However, he knew it was time to change from being a Black Boy to an African-American Man. Yes, Hip Hop helped as it provided him with wealth but it also wasn’t given to him.
We hang on to his every word. When Throwback Jerseys were popping– we brought them as if they were going out of style. But Jay Z said stop– buy button-ups– so we did. When cats were in the bar popping bottles of Cristal– Jay said stop– buy Ace of Spades– so we did. When Auto Tunes was controlling the airwaves, Jay-Z said don’t listen to that– so we did.
But Times Have Changed Or At Least Jay Z Has
He’s married now with 3 kids. He has the wife on his arms that most men lust for. He’s where most men would love to be. Whether you like it or not– he’s a leader. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X led with their words and actions– why is Jay Z perceived as any different? Is it because it’s done through music? Some in our culture despise his way of style and that’s fine, but some of us have learned to look beyond the image– this is what 4:44 has done for us.
Jay said to invest in your community instead of tearing it down. Take care of your kids before someone else does. Treat your woman with the proper respect before she leaves you for your childish mistakes. Love your parents for who they are and not what they have done. And best of all– be a MAN.
You egged Solange onKnowin’ all along, all you had to say you was wrongYou almost went Eric BenétLet the baddest girl in the world get awayI don’t even know what else to sayNigga, never go Eric Benét
It may have taken 13 albums for him to reach that point, but he did. He may have been one of the main reasons why Black Boys act the way they do– but so what. All we have his time and opportunities on our hands while we’re on this earth. It’s up to us to decide what we wish to do with it. Jay Z has grown and now he’s teaching Black Boys how to become African-American Men.
Black Boys is a term that’s used to describe us in a derogatory way. It’s time we shed that and show America that we can become who we are supposed to be– Men. Not just any men but strong, powerful African-American Men. The ones who own businesses, take care of their own, love our wives and protect our future. So what if the message came from a rapper– who else is speaking to the youth?
