Jay-Z Declares ‘My Presence is Charity’

Wall Street Journal ^ | 07/29/13 | Lyneka Little

[AtlasStalled]

Jay-Z has responded to criticism from legendary actor and activist Harry Belafonte that the rapper has failed to use his celebrity in a social responsibly way. Last year, Belafonte reportedly said “I think one of the great abuses of this modern time is that we should have had such high-profile artists, powerful celebrities. But they have turned their back on social responsibility. That goes for Jay-Z and Beyonce, for example."

* * *

Jay-Z said,“I’m offended by that because first of all, and this is going to sound arrogant, but my presence is charity. Just who I am. Just like Obama’s is."

[Steve_Seattle]

“my very presence here is bringing in scores of business for yinz”.

There's a guy who thinks that way at my local karaoke spot - he thinks he's a draw, so he tips 25 cents after being there for three hours.

[Colonel_Flagg]

This loser likes himself almost as much as King Hussein.

[grania]

for me, JayZL's absence is charity

Billionaires (probably) JayZ, Beyonce and their idiotally named spawn should just SHUT UP. If they want to show solidarity, why don't they buy a $5,000 house in Detroit or some urban cesspool, and live there for a few months with no security guards, no guns, no housekeeping help, just the three of them. They should do this annonymously without all of their bling that makes them recognizable.

Then, I'm willing to listen to how much compassion they have for urban thugs.

What disgusting hypocrites they are.

[AllAmericanGirl44]

I know. We are through the looking glass. I wouldn’t pay a penny to see or hear either of them.

[KarlInOhio]

I wanna know what JayZ and Obama text about.

A comparison of their wives' ... assets.

Obama usually spends the rest of the afternoon sobbing in the Lincoln bedroom afterwards.

[Ann Archy]

uh....Pride Goeth Before the Fall, Z....good luck PUNK.

[Larry381]

One of the facts not often known about so-called "celebs" is that many of them, despite their wealth, are consistently cheap-skates. Many of them are inundated with hundreds of personal appearance invitations to charity events and without fail the only ones they condescend to attend are the ones where they are comped with thousands of dollars of free products.

Celebrities, by and large, are out and out douchebags.

[mj1234]

yep-

You know, why is Belafonte going after 2 of O’bummers
pals?- remember they got to go to Cuba and praise
the dictatorship- Belafante should be ecstatic with

O’bummers leftisits!- not critical of them

[dfwgator]

Celebrities, by and large, are out and out douchebags.

Very true.

[Uncle Miltie]

My presence is an aphrodisiac.

[El Cid]

I see what you did there...

LOL! Yes, it took awhile, because he was so incredibly subtle...

[ebersole]

Materialistically wealthy, spiritually broke...and they either don’t know it or don’t care.

[dfwgator]

What’s next, him saying that he denies women his “Life Essence”?

[Mr. K]

so he can take atax deduction wherever he goes!

Too bad Wesley Snipes didnt think of that one...

[MEGoody]

Jay-Z said,“I’m offended by that because first of all, and this is going to sound arrogant, but my presence is charity. Just who I am. Just like Obama’s is."

:::rolls eyes:::

I'm really glad this kid thinks he's all that because I sure don't.

[Colonel_Flagg]

"My presence is an aphrodisiac.

My presence means Happy Birthday, to my kids.

Wait. Wrong presence.

[Clock King]

Bow down, B****es!

He and his wife and Obama and his wife all have God/King/Queen complexes.

[ColdOne]

Pfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffftttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt!!!!!

[ColdOne]

Oh one more thing, I can’t believe I actually agree with Belafonte!

[CodeToad]

Usually with someone like him their presence is due to a subpoena.