The Lyrics of Jay-Z is Inspiration Behind Corporate Thugging

corporate-world

I really enjoyed reading Decoded. Jay shared a lot of great insight in the book. I thought Dream Hampton’s writing was excellent. I wrote last week that I think the memoir elevated Hip-Hop culture because the book is well written, smart and makes a compelling argument of Hip-Hop’s greatness and potential. Jay comes across as a very intelligent guy. In society, perception becomes reality but perception is “intellectually lazy” and often lacks depth. An ex-crack cocaine dealer is not perceived as being an inspirational figure. A rapper is not generally perceived as truly being an artist. Of course rappers are artists; at least the best ones are. Jay is certainly an artist and his journey from drug dealing to making music to making strong moves in the business world is, in my humble opinion, is very inspirational. Though it may be a term that even Jay himself might shun, Jay-Z is: “a Hip-Hop intellectual”. The word “intellectual” can have a bourgeoisie connotation for some but an intellectual is simply someone who thinks frequently, sharply and deeply. Jay shows a high level of intellect in Decoded. But it’s his lyrics that have apparently made quite an impact on young professionals in the business world. I’m not surprised.

“My corporate thugs be like, ‘Yeah, Jigga talk that shit”
“Go Crazy (Remix)”
Jay-Z

“My friend Steve Stoute, who spends a lot of time in the corporate world, tells me about young execs he knows who say they discovered their own philosophies of business and life in my lyrics. It’s crazy”.
Jay-Z from “Decoded”

I don’t think it’s so crazy at all, Jay.

Since I started “Book of Hov” back in June 2010 I’ve received emails from people from all walks of life who share with me how Jay-Z’s lyrics have had an impact on their lives. I’ve gotten emails from entrepreneurs, Ivy League college students with promising futures and corporate professionals whom have all thanked me for writing the ... Book of Hov and shared with me how Jay’s lyrics deeply resonate with them. Malik Corbett, publisher of BU Magazine Exchange, has a background selling products and services to Wall Street firms and told me that Jay’s music connects with many professionals working in New York’s financial district. A few weeks ago I received an email from the managing director of an investment-banking firm expressing his interest and appreciation for Jay’s insightful lyrics about ambition. It really is amazing.

I think corporate professionals connect with Jay because “game recognizes game.” Entrepreneurs, businesspeople and corporate professionals are highly driven individuals. According to Jay, he was a highly driven street hustler back in the day and today he’s a highly driven artist and businessman. Jay wasn’t on the corporate world’s radar until recent years. The corporate world took notice of Jay once he made major moves in their environment. But the truth is Jay has always been a hustler and businesspeople in the legitimate world are hustlers. Many people in the corporate world “get it” because they live and hustle by the universal principles of success that Jay shares in his lyrics.

What disappoints me is how people who claim to be true Hip-Hop heads and are often the ones who need inspiration the most, fail to “get it”. This was part of my motivation to write my book, “I Will Not Lose! Winning the mental game on the quest for success”- I want my book to have broad appeal but I really hope it will cause Jay’s most loyal and most disadvantaged fans (and even the haters) to listen differently and more deeply to his lyrics. But I want my book to do much more than that. I want the book to promote inspiration, whether it’s found in the lyrics of Jay-Z, your favorite MC or anywhere else.