Information: Jay-Z > Transcript


Live Chat Transcript From Rocafella.com (16.02.06)

[Feb 16 2006 2:30PM]

Thanks to all of you who came out to the Jay-Z chat yesterday. There were so many of you there, that our servers decided to go on break for a bit. We thank you for your patience, and for all of your great questions. Unfortunately we couldn't get to them all, but we got as many in as we could!

Jay-Z: go ahead and start sending your questions....we crashed the server. just to get back to the cam situation and get that out of the way. in case you missed this it's obvious he is just doing this for attention. i think he's killing himself so i don't feel a need to do anything at this time. AT THIS TIME. haaa

Guest: Besides dead presidents - what is your fav song done by you?

Jay-Z: Can I Live and D'Evils.

PrincessCarter: when is the album coming out. we need it. please jay. please. I can't stand hiphop anymore. I've been a strong supporter since 1997. And I can't live without my fix. Please.

Jay-Z: i don't know at this time about doing a new album. although im itching to do one. well see. and thank you. i need a fix too.

biggkam: Also, what's the status of Beanie Sigel? Is he still signed to Rocafella, or is he straight Def Jam?

Jay-Z: we're working out a situation where beans can do his own label, but right now he's signed to roc-a-fella

Mittens: Not too long ago, you were rumoured to be taking over Arsenal Football Club in England. Have you still got interested in taking over a Premiership club? As you'd do well at Manchester City.

Jay-Z: we were in preliminary talks but nothings done yet

sistap: What happened to Amil?

Jay-Z: being in the music business is hard work, not always glamour and glitz. you know it's early mornings and late nights, and not everyone is cut out for it

greeneyesmami06: when is bleek's next album?

Jay-Z: he's working on some stuff now, but he's doing a clothing line, and possible movie right now

actionkeisha: what do you like to do on your days off?

Jay-Z: what days off?? haaaa. 'jay every day no days off' trivia question for yall what song is that from?

tyaangel: what kind of advice would you give to an aspiring singer/rapper?

Jay-Z: you have to believe strongly in yourself b/c in this business until you have a buzz everybody treats you like shit, and you gotta be prepared to work hard

DAfranchiseJR: what do u think about AZ, prolly the most underrated rapper in the game today?

Jay-Z: i think talib is underrated. black thought is underrated. up until his last album common was underrated. i think AZ is pretty good

Young_Nebz: i wanted to know what was going on wit Freeway and this talk about him being with G-Unit?

Jay-Z: freeway is on roc-a-fella. him and 50 spoke and talked about doing some work together but he is on roc-a-fella

Tawana: How do you handle negative vibes towards you from other artists?

Jay-Z: thats not something i have to deal with.. that's their problem. my problem is doing me, staying positive, making history

roclachica: Mr. President of Def Jam do you feel more pressure than you did being an artist?

Jay-Z: its not really pressure its just a challenge, and i welcome all challenges

jordany: are you excited about Ne-Yo ?

Jay-Z: very excited about ne-yo we're about to have the no. 1 single in the country with so sick, and could possibly have the #1 album when it comes out 2/28 (shameless plug)

joannaw09: How did ti feel to make history at Madison Square

Jay-Z: one of the milestone moments in my career, and you gotta remember that the black album had just came and everybody was singing every word off the album, and the fact that it sold out in 15 minutes

tyaangel: how do you feel about people downloading your songs and albums?

Jay-Z: i feel that if you love a person and their work, you should purchase it b/c they put their blood sweat and tears in it

Reese: Whats the hardest thing you've faced in this career so far, or had faced? In life too

Jay-Z: to be really real with everybody in here, my nephew passing. personally and professionally i learn from mistakes, so it's no big deal. great question

Villian54: How do you feel about R.Kelly? do you have a buff with him?

Jay-Z: i don't have beef with him but he is suing me so we're not friends... haaa

carter02b: What did you learn from the whole Damon Dash situation and selling of the ROC?

Jay-Z: people grow and sometimes they grow together and sometimes they grow apart

Young Indian MC - ROC LA FAMILIA: Was there ever a point in your career when you just wanted to stop rapping, before the retirement, before Vol. 1?

Jay-Z: to be honest with you, in my delusional mind, i thought i would make 1 album and cross over to the executive side. but you know when you love something it's hard to just walk away. besides i was the only artist at the time on roc-a-fella

hustleallday: Jay, first off I would like to say thank you for constantly inspiring me throughout many times in my life. My question is what personally inspires you day after day to keep on striving to be the best at everything that you do?

Jay-Z: im inspired by winners.... i don't hate to lose i love to win. and thank you

Trix2007: How different would the rap game be if Biggie was still here?

Jay-Z: i think we would've made the commission album, so that would have been special. as far as the rap game there is no telling. he coulda got 10 times better or he coulda got worn out by the pressures of success. i would like to believe he wouldve gotten better and the game wouldve gotten better

orre: Have you ever had a "normal" job, like mailman?

Jay-Z: i've never had a normal job unfortunately or fortunately... who knows. i remember rap pages did a thing,'what if,' i worked at KFC or something like that and people believed it was real

MizRoc: Any movies in your future?

Jay-Z: maybe. i had a couple meetings last about doing a whole roc films division that went great. im so busy with the music i don't know when i'll get around to that. we were supposed to go from 5 to 6 but b/c of our technical difficulties we're gonna go for an extra 15 minutes. send in some good questions while you still have the chance

sistap: With the opening of your clubs,owning a basketball team, and running a label, how do you relax?

Jay-Z: i vacation twice a year. i play a lot of madden

Be: Whats Going On With Foxy Brown?

Jay-Z: she just had a operation out in LA, and hopefully within the next couple weeks her hearing will slowly start to come back

Foog: Will you be featured on Big L's new project?

Jay-Z: are they doing a new big l project? this is the first i'm hearing of it

Spox: What about The "Black Book" ??

Jay-Z: i have the book. i haven't even read it yet. im having anxiety about reading it so at this time i can't put it out

melissa: whos your fav old school rapper?

Jay-Z: rakim and kane and g rap

LILLT: are you working on any new sing to to defjam

Jay-Z: of course everyday i'm hustling... we just signed rick ross and slip and slide

nyqguru: how do u feel about the passing of Jay Dee and how well did u know dude

Jay-Z: i didn't know him personally i was a fan of his work from afar. i was talking to ahmir from the roots the other day about him and he told me he was the producers' producers' producer and they had made a song dedicated to him before he passed and we're going to put that out in honor of him... may he rest in peace

Roclafam: what is your biggest regret?

Jay-Z: the sunshine video.... haaaaaaa

Tre186: How bout you sign Mike Jackson to DefJam or better yet THE ROC

Jay-Z: what!!!!!

sistap: why didn't you like the sunshine video?

Jay-Z: b/c i wasn't doing me i was trying to follow what was hot at the time. i just made reasonable doubt. it didn't sell what i thought it should sell but i didn't realize the foundation that it laid for me to be the artist that i am today

Reepo: Whats The best decision you've made in your career??

Jay-Z: having ownership in the team i play for, roc-a-fella

orre: What's the story about the Roots on def jam

Jay-Z: ive always had a friendship with ahmir. weve done a lot of work... unplugged, different concerts. i just felt that he was the one to lead that whole def jam movement. he led the movement that was considered to be 'neo-soul'. i hate that word but you know what i mean

tymezgs: jay what do you look for in a artist

Jay-Z: something that's gonna move the culture forward. something that rings honest. something that leaves a legacy. hot ass song. a complete album. a superstar. people don't buy songs they buy into artists

JAY-ZBLUE: what do 400mil look like?

Jay-Z: haaaa..... having the baby will change your life. whether you have 1million or a billion dollars like oprah. your life doesn't change much. had a great time chatting with yall and i look forward to doing it again next month... back to the hustle