Jay-Z speaks candidly about his younger days as a drug dealer in an interview with Oprah for the magazine O, telling Winfrey "it was natural" for him to start dealing as a kid.
"It was normal. And at some point, you become addicted to the feeling. The uncertainty and adrenaline and danger of that lifestyle," the rapper explains.
He even talks about the close calls he had on the streets, including surviving a shooting. Read More Inside
Jay-Z describes a time when he was shot at, but was never hit. "That was divine intervention. Divine intervention, and nobody knowing how to shoot," he says.
The hip-hop mogul goes on to discuss his marriage to fellow superstar Beyonce -- a topic rarely breached by either party.
"When you're a public person, you have to keep some things to yourself, " he adds of their union.
Jay-Z and Beyonce attend a press conference for the "Answer The Call" charity concert at Madison Square Garden on August 31, 2009 in New York City. "Answer The Call" Charity Concert - Press Conference Madison Square Garden New York, NY United States August 31, 2009
This is no shock at all. The rappers and hip hop artists that are big time now, started out selling drugs and being tough in their neighborhoods. The teenager who now days shakes down kids for lunch money and gives them a beat down will be the chart topping rappers of tomorrow. Selling drugs is the next step up the ladder to fame and riches. The rapper who can out last any thug in the neighborhood will be the next rap and hip hop star. That's just the way it is.
How ignorant are YOU people? The more I read these blogs the more I understand. That most of you in society don't have a clue!! No wonder our youth are so screwed up!! If you are a true Hov fan then you know he has been telling you for years that he sold dope!! This comes as no suprise. So why act as if this is so astounding?!! The fact that he opened up to O really doesn't say awhole lot either. Besides the fact that you racist bastards have the nerve to open your mouths and talk about him speaks volumes!! The same ones that view him so negatively are the ones with kids that have all his downloads. Grow up Jay did!!
I LOVE HOW YOU ALL JUDGE THE WHOLE RAP AND BLACK COMMUNITY BY RAP.75% OF THE NEW BUYERS ARE WHITE.SO NICE TO CALL US NEGRO PLEASE STOP OUT OF YOUR OWN CLOSETS AND STOP JUDGING.PLEASE GO LISTEN TO TALIB KWELI,MOS DEF, NAS, AND THE LIST GOES ON WITHOUT DOPE CHARGES.THE MEDIA HAS A WHY WITH MOLDING RACIST AMERICA MIND HAS TO DEFINE A WHOLE RACE AND MUSIC.SO MANY RAPPERS ARE NOT WITH JAYZ DEAD PRESIDENTS,SLUM VILLAGE, DILATE PUPILS.BUT YOU WOULDNT KNOW ABOUT THEM..HAVE THE RAPPERS HAVE VOLLEGE DEGREES OR COLLEGE CREDIT LIL WAYNE, PUFFY, PLIES AND THE LIST GOES ON.SO I GUESS EMINEM, KID ROCK, BRITNEY SPEARS, ARE ALL PILLARS OF SOCIETY.PLEASE GET OF YOUR HIGH HORSE,THEY CANT SELL ANYTHING WITH USING RAP SONGS, QUOTES, HIP HOP DANCE INCLUDING BREAKDANCE.ROLLING STONE GOT THERE NAME FROM A MUDDY WATERS SONG ROLLING STONE.GO LUCK UP HISTORY.
Isralite......Wow....is your (.) period key broken? Might want to invest in spellcheck as well. But of course I would not expect anything else from a hip-hop expert.
Jay-Z is a typical fool. First time he decides to open his ugly mouth, he throws his foot in it. And to who??? Oprah. Of ALL people. smh What an embocile. He should've continued doing what he was good at. Keeping his hideous mouth shut. And btw, i'm a black man, who LOVES rap music, & hip-hop as a culture. He just served the movement an unecessary black eye. "You can pay to go to school, but u can't buy class." (Excerpt from Jay-Z: "Swagger Like Us".) Eat those words, idiot. HAHA!!!
Hey KEV? Oprah doesn't want to be "connected to rap". What ever gave you that foolish impression? She spoke against Ludacris, for instance. Now Chris Brown. I get simply get this sense that Oprah is more pro woman than she's even pro black. I'd like to see what she may say about Jay-Z after that interview. I'm pretty sure it won't be "enlightened". As for my "tone" (lol)....I speak entirely from a personal perspective. It's called an "opinion". Look it up, "bro".
Yo dont matter you tellin about your yo past at least he being staight forward wit his stuff. Media alway find way to get a story goin just to make some profit in the industry. All rapper got struggle in there childhood stage. Rappin just another form of art of music. in general every music express the heart and soul of the person. Everyone just stop bein judging see the picture outside the box but not in box. Anyone in the world got struggle just achieve something that is successful. Money aint nothing comparing yourself of happiness. Jay Z met someone is special finally express himself to the media. Yo it take some gut doin it in the media. I am pretty sure jay z know the obstacle has the face if anything occurs. Westcoast and East coast got there unqiue side of style and meetin to music. I am representing Seattle Washington not hater but lover to all music industry....
Jay-Z speaks candidly about his younger days as a drug dealer in an interview with Oprah for the magazine O, telling Winfrey "it was natural" for him to start dealing as a kid.
Comments
(63)Add a comment
Wednesday 09 September
By Duke
This is no shock at all. The rappers and hip hop artists that are big time now, started out selling drugs and being tough in their neighborhoods. The teenager who now days shakes down kids for lunch money and gives them a beat down will be the chart topping rappers of tomorrow. Selling drugs is the next step up the ladder to fame and riches. The rapper who can out last any thug in the neighborhood will be the next rap and hip hop star. That's just the way it is.
Reply
Thursday 10 September
By nee987
you sound as though you speak from experience...
Thursday 10 September
By gabnmono
your an idiot!!!!!
Thursday 10 September
By rmoneyrockz
How ignorant are YOU people? The more I read these blogs the more I understand. That most of you in society don't have a clue!! No wonder our youth are so screwed up!! If you are a true Hov fan then you know he has been telling you for years that he sold dope!! This comes as no suprise. So why act as if this is so astounding?!! The fact that he opened up to O really doesn't say awhole lot either. Besides the fact that you racist bastards have the nerve to open your mouths and talk about him speaks volumes!! The same ones that view him so negatively are the ones with kids that have all his downloads. Grow up Jay did!!
Monday 14 September
By Setina Hollis
Duke,shut the "Hell" up!!! You have no idea what you're talking about. IDIOT!!!!
Wednesday 09 September
By pugz
just another bum from off the corner giving his own people a bad name. notice he never says being a dealer and shooting at people is a bad idea.
Reply
Wednesday 09 September
By I pull it daily
hummmm, so he used to be a drug dealer??????
You have to be kidding. Well,,,,, typical in Stereo.. to say the least.
Reply
Wednesday 09 September
By Hmmmmm
So then it's "Your DOPE's got me looking so crazy right now"????
Reply
Wednesday 09 September
By notsure
keep it cool jay!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
Wednesday 09 September
By ISRALITE
I LOVE HOW YOU ALL JUDGE THE WHOLE RAP AND BLACK COMMUNITY BY RAP.75% OF THE NEW BUYERS ARE WHITE.SO NICE TO CALL US NEGRO PLEASE STOP OUT OF YOUR OWN CLOSETS AND STOP JUDGING.PLEASE GO LISTEN TO TALIB KWELI,MOS DEF, NAS, AND THE LIST GOES ON WITHOUT DOPE CHARGES.THE MEDIA HAS A WHY WITH MOLDING RACIST AMERICA MIND HAS TO DEFINE A WHOLE RACE AND MUSIC.SO MANY RAPPERS ARE NOT WITH JAYZ DEAD PRESIDENTS,SLUM VILLAGE, DILATE PUPILS.BUT YOU WOULDNT KNOW ABOUT THEM..HAVE THE RAPPERS HAVE VOLLEGE DEGREES OR COLLEGE CREDIT LIL WAYNE, PUFFY, PLIES AND THE LIST GOES ON.SO I GUESS EMINEM, KID ROCK, BRITNEY SPEARS, ARE ALL PILLARS OF SOCIETY.PLEASE GET OF YOUR HIGH HORSE,THEY CANT SELL ANYTHING WITH USING RAP SONGS, QUOTES, HIP HOP DANCE INCLUDING BREAKDANCE.ROLLING STONE GOT THERE NAME FROM A MUDDY WATERS SONG ROLLING STONE.GO LUCK UP HISTORY.
Reply
Thursday 10 September
By tony
Isralite......Wow....is your (.) period key broken? Might want to invest in spellcheck as well.
But of course I would not expect anything else from a hip-hop expert.
Thursday 10 September
By KEV
@Tony
That reply was weak. Your either ignorant or very young. "period key" Seriously??? Thats the arguement your making?
Thursday 10 September
By Rich
LMAO Whatever
Thursday 10 September
By Mr McGriddlecakes
Hahahahaha Tony's a f*ckin loser.
Go lay in traffic, please. Hurry now, before rush-hour's over.
Wednesday 09 September
By Uylanda Jones
If I was Jay-Z, I wouldn't told Oprah anything. People would not understand your situation and judge you.
Reply
Thursday 10 September
By Uylanda Jones
And added to the last comment. Why is he telling her that, she is not going to help Jay-Z but probably hurt with the stuff she now knows about Jay-Z.
Reply
Thursday 10 September
By beammeuphottie10
Jay-Z is a typical fool. First time he decides to open his ugly mouth, he throws his foot in it. And to who??? Oprah. Of ALL people. smh What an embocile. He should've continued doing what he was good at. Keeping his hideous mouth shut. And btw, i'm a black man, who LOVES rap music, & hip-hop as a culture. He just served the movement an unecessary black eye. "You can pay to go to school, but u can't buy class." (Excerpt from Jay-Z: "Swagger Like Us".) Eat those words, idiot. HAHA!!!
Reply
Thursday 10 September
By KEV
Huh? His past isnt a secret. And the Oprah connection to rap needed some enlightenment. Your tone is UGLY BRO.
Thursday 10 September
By beammeuphottie10
Hey KEV? Oprah doesn't want to be "connected to rap". What ever gave you that foolish impression? She spoke against Ludacris, for instance. Now Chris Brown. I get simply get this sense that Oprah is more pro woman than she's even pro black. I'd like to see what she may say about Jay-Z after that interview. I'm pretty sure it won't be "enlightened". As for my "tone" (lol)....I speak entirely from a personal perspective. It's called an "opinion". Look it up, "bro".
Reply
Thursday 10 September
By Johnny Hoang
Yo dont matter you tellin about your yo past at least he being staight forward wit his stuff. Media alway find way to get a story goin just to make some profit in the industry. All rapper got struggle in there childhood stage. Rappin just another form of art of music. in general every music express the heart and soul of the person. Everyone just stop bein judging see the picture outside the box but not in box. Anyone in the world got struggle just achieve something that is successful. Money aint nothing comparing yourself of happiness. Jay Z met someone is special finally express himself to the media. Yo it take some gut doin it in the media. I am pretty sure jay z know the obstacle has the face if anything occurs. Westcoast and East coast got there unqiue side of style and meetin to music.
I am representing Seattle Washington not hater but lover to all music industry....
Reply