On his new album 4:44, JAY-Z drives home his narrative about the value of black capitalism by citing the financial achievements of America’s Jewish community. In particular, Jay references the stereotype that Jewish people disproportionately control real estate and financial interests during an interlude on 4:44’s second track “The Story of O.J.”
On the song, Jay raps:
You wanna know what’s more important than throwin' away money at a strip club? Credit
You ever wonder why Jewish people own all the property in America? This how they did it
The lyrics have received a mixed response so far, with some calling them anti-semitic and others dismissing them as a “positive stereotype.” Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons came to Jay’s defense on Wednesday in a series of tweets, saying that they both value their many business partnerships with Jewish people:
I am the Chairman of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding and my job for the past 20 years or so is to point out the “sameness of different religions and races.” First, let me state that mischief makers would like to take Jay’s statements about the culture and practices that exist within some parts of the jewish community (notice I say some). The fact is this culture that promotes good business and financial well being is and has been a guiding light to the black and specifically the hip-hop community. From music to film, television, fashion, technology + financial services, the hip-hop community including myself have partnered with Jews where there were no blacks to partner with. The wasps and other ethnicities didn’t lift a finger. It was blacks and Jews creating new opportunity and new wealth. Jay Z was celebrating that bond that was built when no other community gave and continues to give us as much support in our fight for liberation in this very white country. I have spent 25 years analyzing and rebuilding this historic bond. By trying to make him apologize or reframe his poetry we would be creating negativity. My opinion. He should not offer a single apology and we should not feed into the silly narrative. To all those focusing on negativity go buy the album, it’s focused on positivity.
Unlike some rappers, Jay does not have a history of anti-semitic lyrics. In fact, he previously linked up with Russell Simmons for a 2006 PSA against anti-semitism:
Read all the lyrics to JAY-Z’s “The Story of O.J.” on Genius now.
