Not even the greatest rappers are above criticism, and JAY-Z is no different as opinions pour in over his latest musical offering.
On Thursday (August 20), a preview of Hov’s new Neptunes-produced track “Entrepreneur” with Pharrell Williams was made available ahead of its debut with Skateboard P’s new TIME cover package, “The New American Revolution.” On the song, Jay calls out Black Twitter directly.
“Black Twitter, what’s that?” he raps. “When Jack [Dorsey, Twitter CEO] gets paid, do you? For every one Gucci, support two FUBUs.”
Journalist Gerrick Kennedy pointed out the fact many networking opportunities have happened through Black Twitter and felt it completely missed the mark.
“So Jay really has no idea how many of us have discovered Black businesses from Black Twitter?” he wrote. “Or how many of us have gotten opps, or built businesses for ourselves from Black Twitter? Man, he really washed for that wack ass line.”
So Jay really has no idea how many of us have discovered Black businesses from Black Twitter? Or how many of us have gotten opps, or built businesses for ourselves from Black Twitter? Man, he really washed for that wack ass line.
— Gerrick D. Kennedy (@GerrickKennedy) August 20, 2020
Multiple responses echoed similar sentiments.
“They are both so out of touch it’s actually insane and a joke,” one response read. “Expecting fans to just take the finger wagging.”
Right! They are both so out of touch it's actually insane and a joke. Expecting fans to just take the finger wagging.
— gina (@jeanuh_) August 20, 2020
Another read, “Totally hear you on that. I wish he celebrated the fact that black business found a lane on Twitter to market their businesses.”
Totally hear you on that. I wish he celebrated the fact that black business found a lane on Twitter to market their businesses.
— Darrick Williams (@DWillYums) August 20, 2020
However, some challenged Kennedy to wait to hear the whole song before formulating such an opinion.
Check out more responses to the line below.
Have you heard the song yet?
— Jamila (@aMiLli_aMiLli1) August 20, 2020
Are you dumb? Jack sells our information to ad companies and we do not get paid a dime. That is high level capitalism. And you’re mad at the Black person who said something about it? I love how Jay & Bey makes y’all coons so uncomfortable
— Anti-Divest hive? (@VisionaryIb) August 20, 2020
Sir with all due respect did you understand the line ????
— La?perle*noire (@bkfinestfrench) August 20, 2020
He's detached & privileged.
— ♑ աǟքʀɛֆɛռȶǟȶɨʋɛ (@Suspishus) August 20, 2020
He been out of touch
— Ronda Racha Penrice (@rondaracha) August 20, 2020