According to legislation proposed in early December 2023, the entertainer-turned-businessman’s birthday, Dec. 4, could soon become “Jay-Z Day” in the city that never sleeps.
Per the court document, the new bill would honor the Brooklyn native’s “legendary status as a masterful MC and lyricist and as an innovative entrepreneur.”
As previously reported by AFROTECH, the “Big Pimpin” emcee has become more than just one of the greatest rappers ever to rock the mic, his business wits have also become the talk of the town.
While Jay-Z’s venture into life as a businessman began by way of Hip-Hop, he has since transcended the space, tapping into ventures like food, tech, and more.
As previously reported by AFROTECH, his hit single, “Ain’t No…” featuring Foxy Brown, quickly taught Jay-Z the business of music, and he hasn’t let up since.
While he has many bars that will stand the test of time, one in particular that has become a fan favorite is: “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man,” from his guest verse on Kanye West’s “Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix).”
As rap’s first billionaire, Jay-Z’s decision to play the long game began when he launched Roc Nation, an entertainment company, in the early 2000s.
Since then, he’s had quite the Rolodex, which even includes becoming an early investor in Uber before it quickly became the largest ride-sharing company in the nation.
According to CNBC’s “Make It,” in 2010, Jay-Z sat down with American businessman and fellow billionaire Warren Buffet, explaining that the approach to his music career models the Oracle of Omaha’s strategy of only investing in businesses that he understands versus what is popular.
“Music is like stocks, there’s the hot thing of the moment,” said Jay-Z at the time. “People tend to make emotional decisions based on that. They don’t stick with what they know.”
He continued, “That was the greatest trick in music that people ever pulled off, to convince artists that you can’t be an artist and make money. Hip-hop from the beginning has always been aspirational. It always broke that notion that an artist can’t think about money as well.”
From becoming the founder of one of New York’s most legendary nightclubs, 40/40 Club, to launching Roc Nation, Roc-A-Wear clothing, and acquiring the technology company Aspiro, which eventually became what’s now known as the streaming service TIDAL, Jay-Z’s business accomplishments are just as huge as the feats he’s overcome as an emcee.
What’s more, the “Hard Knock Life” emcee has found himself tapping into an industry that provides the culture with nourishment quite a bit lately, putting support behind brands like the Black-owned plant-based company, Misha’s, as well as the food tech marketplace, Hungry.
Now, the city where it all started is hoping to celebrate the business and entertainment mogul with the proposal of a Jay-Z holiday.
