By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
No formal announcement has been made and he continues to contribute verses, here and there, but Jay-Z is clearly wrapping up his career as a rapper. His original plan was never intended for him to become the star he did. However, Jay-Z went on to make millions, inspiring just as many. In 2003, Jay-Z “retired” from rap with the goodbye-themed, The Black Album, only to return three years later.
Jay-Z last released a solo album in 2009, since then lending verses to Drake, Rick Ross, and teaming up with Kanye West for Watch the Throne. For the first time since 2003, there seems to be new energy coming from the New York hip hop scene, now led by French Montana. The year of 2003 also saw the overlooked losses of DMX and Ja Rule, as 50 Cent emerged.
While Jay-Z is out of music, he now serves as the manager for the likes of Wale, Rihanna, Kanye West, and many others. Last year, Jay-Z had the opportunity to work with Frank Ocean, a member of the alternative hip hop outfit, Odd Future, based in Los Angeles. If there were two opposites in hip hop, they would be Jay-Z and Tyler, the Creator.
Still, Tyler, the Creator and his Odd Future crew performed at Jay-Z’s “Made in America” festival. The New York Times caught up with Jay-Z and he explained why he decided to add them to his concert series. In a way, Jay-Z draws comparisons to his early Roc-A-Fella days to their movement, saying they have an aversion to corporate America. Jay-Z feels Odd Future is lashing out at America, showing them the type of people they have created, which manifests in each member of the crew.
For years, Jay-Z has been a huge supporter of President Obama, playing a huge part in his current first name. Jay-Z inspired many members of the hip hop community to get out and vote for Obama. When he speaks on Barack Obama, Jay-Z says he has made the hustler less relevant, which he credits as a good thing. According to Jay-Z, Barack Obama gives young black males someone to look up to, the type of figure he did not have growing up, but the type of figure those in his daughter, Blue Ivy’s, age group can.
