Jay-Z, Lacking Controversy, Is Mad at LeBron Now
Really, what does Jay-Z have to complain about? He is respected as a rapper and producer; he had his own clothing line which he sold for an ungodly sum; has endorsements out the wazoo; has ownership stakes in two sports teams, Def Jam Records, and the celebrity-packed 40/40 nightclubs; has never released an album that didn’t go platinum; and he took his longtime girlfriend Beyonce’s advice and put a $5 million engagement ring on it (the wedding ring cost a paltry $2.5 million). His net worth is estimated at about $500 million. But he loves a good fight.
Jay-Z: LeBron James is a Mean Man.
He has had well-publicized feuds with Nas, The Game, Damon Dash, Noel Gallagher, and even Red Sox slugger David Ortiz. He is a master at taking everything very personally. Now, basketball players Charles Barkley (himself not a stranger to controversy), Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan have weighed in on LeBron James’ decision to sign with the Miami Heat, saying that they would have “acted differently”. Well, LeBron doesn’t like to do what other people tell him to do. It’s kinda his trademark. Former NBA players—particularly those with the good reputations of Johnson and Jordan—have some insight and are specially qualified to comment. But Jay-Z? Where does he fit into this?
When you’ve got more than half a billion dollars, a chip on your shoulder the size of France, and a notoriously big mouth, you somehow manage to fit your way into whatever you want. That’s just how you get to roll when you’re Jay-Z. But an ego that size gets bruised when some guy who only rakes in a measly $18 million or so per year (not including endorsements) doesn’t answer its mighty calls. Jay-Z apparently called LeBron several times during his free agency, to “consult” with him regarding which team he would play for. But let us not forget that, as part owner of the New Jersey Nets, he was really looking out for the most important person in his life: himself.
So now the relationship between the rapper and the baller is “strained”. Jay-Z is not a man who is accustomed to unreturned phone calls, and takes particular offense at not getting his way. Having his calls ignored by some athlete can only lead to one thing, but at least it’s something that he’s good at. Now he’s got someone else to be mad at. Perhaps he’ll write a catchy hip-hop song disparaging the talent of LeBron James, undoubtedly taking verbal stabs at his parentage and sexual ability. Somehow, it seems unlikely that he can say anything that LeBron hasn’t heard before. And Beyonce can shake her generous booty in front of Jay-Z all day and it won’t ease the pain of not being considered the most important man in the world and an expert on all topics.
Poor Jay-Z. It seems almost poetic that the man of many, many words has finally been confronted with silence, and he doesn’t like it at all.