Jay Z Is About to (try to) Become the Black King of Hollywood
And not the king of Black Hollywood either. Know how I know? History.
I’d love to pepper this with a lot of well-placed Jay Z lyrics, but I’ve never been the biggest Jay Z fan. I crossed his path once in NYC at Irving Plaza at a N.E.R.D. show. I’d always said if I met Jay, I would never call him Hov. J Hova? Like Jesus? FOH. Never. What was the first thing that came out of my mouth as I gave him a pound? “HOV!” Well fuck me. His reaction was kind, but I also felt I got back what I gave.
The impression I have of Jay Z, based on information collected over the years, is that he’s an opportunist. He made the connections he needed to make to get into the drug game. Again with music. And it’s about to happen in Hollywood.
He seems like a forward motion guy and when there’s an impediment, he sidesteps the issue and keeps his train moving on the track. Again, someone that’s more studied in the ways of Shawn Carter (I actually had to confirm that it was Shawn, but figured it was because Blacks tend to go with Shawn, Irish with Sean) would know the stories behind the stories.
Jay used Jaz-O and Big Daddy Kane to get in better positions in music, until he didn’t need them anymore. He used Biggs and Dame Dash to get in even better position, until he didn’t need them anymore. He used the presidency of Def Jam to get in much better position, until he didn’t need it anymore.
Now I’m not saying he’s the only guy to have done this, but it’s kind of obvious.
The last time I saw Jay partner with someone in Hollywood, his name was Harvey Weinstein. Again, I don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors, but I can’t imagine Jay didn’t extract as much knowledge from one of the most inside (is it too soon to say inside thighs?) Hollywood guys there has been in recent history. And like Jaz-O, Kane, Biggs and Dame, Harvey’s exit has cleared a path for Jay Z to do what he does.
In addition to the presumed lessons learned from Harvey, Jay and Beyoncé just threw an Oscar afterparty. At the legendary Chateau Marmont. Oscar afterparties have been the stuff of legend – celebrities go in, minimal stories come out. Madonna has one. Elton John had one. Prince used to have them. Once again, Jay swooped in. How better to assert dominance? Plus, Jay and Beyoncé have a mansion in Bel-Air. Fresh Prince much?
Although the majority of Tyler Perry’s output doesn’t appeal to me, I’ve always applauded him. Even though I personally don’t need another Madea movie, my cousin Watana (who I adore) loves everything he puts out. And if I’m being honest, I’d show up opening weekend for “Madea Meets Rasputia” (Eddie Murphy’s adulterous she-beast from Norbit), but you complaining motherfuckers seem to have ruined Eddie Murphy in fat suit movies, so oh well on that one. Point is, I always felt that if Perry wasn’t making movies I liked, he would be instrumental in making movies I like – evidenced in the fact that Black Panther shot some scenes at his studios in Atlanta. I really think that’s going to be the beginning of many more great projects that Madea built.
With that said, although I haven’t been the biggest Jay Z fan, I do think his business style is leading to him becoming a strong player in Hollywood, and I welcome it. So far, Jay’s produced or is in production on The Trayvon Martin Story and The Kalief Browder Story – a damn fine way to go in my opinion. Hell, the last project he was working on with The Weinstein Company was a National Geographic show on race and systemic inequality.
If this is the direction he’s choosing to go, I may be a bigger fan of Shawn Carter the producer than Jay Z the rapper. I got 99 problems and Jay Z the producer ain’t one.
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