What Does Jay-Z Owe To Jaz-O?
I had a debate with H over at Hip Hop Scholar a few weeks ago about this very subject, but I had no real reason to post it. But, with Jaz-O releasing another (weak) shot at Jay yesterday, I thought it was high time that I speak on this. Let’s get through the facts real quick: everyone agrees that Jaz helped put Jay on. Everyone also agrees that Jaz mentored Hov on becoming an MC. We could have a further debate on whether Jigga stole his Jaz’s style, but let’s even put that one the table as fair game. So, what does that entitle Jaz-O to? My view: nothing.
I have noticed that people feel that Jay is foul because he’s “done wrong” to Jaz, DeHaven, Dash and other affiliates from his Marcy days. The general argument is that he should be helping his boys and making sure they eat too. Being a loyal dude, I feel that sentiment. I like to make sure my crew is successful and I want to help them when I can. In fact, if I ever got on in a major way, that would be priority one after taking care of my family.
But on the other hand, I believe in the old adage “He helps those who helps themselves”; meaning, there is only so much one man can do for another man. Eventually, that person has to do it on his own. To use another cliche, “I can only open the door, you will have to walk through it”.
In Jaz-O’s case, its not like Hov didn’t give the man some shine. He appeared on Reasonable Doubt (”Bring It On”) and In My Lifetime Vol 2 (”Jigga What, Jigga Who”): two big records. He was in videos and shouted out by Hov on the regular. Few rappers get that kind of mainstream exposure. If Jaz was that dope, he would of been signed. Period. Of course, his career went nowhere and now he’s spending his time taking shots at Jay. Isn’t he in his 40’s? Let it go.
Sure, there’s probably a back story about how Jaz (or DeHaven) needed help and Jay wouldn’t help. DeHaven especially tried to reach out to Jay after he got out of lock up and got no response. That’s foul, no doubt. Not a good look on Jay. But what is Jay supposed to do to pay him back now? Give him a job for life? Pay for his house?
Jay owes Jaz nothing. In my view he paid his debt after putting him on his records. Jaz should have gone into grind mode and used that exposure to build a career. If he didn’t or couldn’t, he only has himself to blame.
Am I wrong here?
Tags: Jay-Z, Jaz-O, Roc-A-Fella
This is a two sided affair…
Jay-Z has a history of leaving people behind and doing his own thing. He let Jaz, he left dame, he left beanie and freeway.
I thought it was especially shitty that Beanie and Freeway had to fight to even get an album released on Def Jam while jay was president. I mean…we’re supposed to be boys, we grinded on the road together, now I can barely put out an album when you’re in charge? Def Jam eventually rushed out those projects with little to no promotion. Freeway didn’t even have a music video at the time his album was released. (in-ex-fucking-scusable)
But on the other side of the coin…. like you said…. there’s only so much Jay can be responsible for, he isn’t their caretaker. My official response to all of this is “Jay-Z is definitely wrong….. but so what”
Let us also remember that Jaz-O gave Jay his first hit (Ain’t No Nigga) which was the catalyst in Def Jam giving Dame and Jay-Z a label deal. Jay-Z was the one that barked up Jaz-O’s tree with the “Even Jaz bum ass” line of Luda’s ‘I Do It Fo Hip Hop’. We could not have expected Jaz to be quiet. He obviously wanted to save face and looked at this as an opportunity to spark some interest in his career. I agree with you that his attempts are mad weak and the burning of the hat was butt crack and Jaz-O has only dealt himself death blows. However Hov should not have thrown that line in there, cause at the end of the day Hov coiuld have ended up a bum ass himself had it not been for Jaz helping him out.
See, this is where I see the problem. All these people are like “if it weren’t for Jaz, Jay never would have gotten on”. I don’t think that’s true. Between Dame and Hov, I’m pretty sure they would have found some way to get their music heard.
Sure you’re right that Hov could have left his name out of the Luda track, but that was done AFTER all the hat burning nonsense. Again, even if Jaz really did put him on, he still paid him back with his appearances on major releases. He put Jaz on. Period. Its not Hov’s fault no one picked him up after that.
He didn’t leave Dame behind. Dame had $30 mil in the bank when Roc-A-Fella dissolved. No sympathy for Dame. As far as Beans and Free are concerned, I think (I can’t be positive) you’re overestimating Jay’s role as Prez of Def Jam. He can’t just put out whatever he wants.
Plus, he has a responsibility to the label itself. If you were Prez Chuck and they put Free’s record in front of you and said “Look, we only have XXX dollars in the budget to promote all our albums on the label. Records stores aren’t asking for it. The streets are lukewarm. What do you want to do?” Are you saying you’d push hard just because he’s your man?
C’mon. Sales may not be spectacular due to lack of promo, but albums don’t brick because they don’t get a push.
As an attorney, I repped Dame, I repped Jay, I repped Jaz-O, I rep (still) Clark Kent, I repped Ski-Beatz, I repped Sauce Money. One day, I’ll share with the world my thoughts on this very subject. Until then, GREAT EFFIN POST!
I’ll definitely buy that. Maybe a YFWB exclusive? LMAO.
P.S. Chuck, H: I win the argument.
It is all crazy if you ask me. Check out new music at http://www.myspace.com/5starenterprise
That’s cool, my man – if you want to spam blogs to promote your music I’m happy to approve the comment and let the good YFWB readers decide if you’re worth it. I think you know what my vote is.
I agree Jay owes Jaz nothing. Jaz HAD a career even had Jay on “Hawaiian Sophie”. When Jay got on…the returned the favor. Debt paid in full. Jay gave everyone a shot. Memphis Bleek, Sauce Money, Jaz, Amil the list goes on. But like 50 sais “I provided the best outlet for you to get exposure..tours and guest spots, but you gotta take that buzz and run with it.” These cats are bitter now. Jay started on a Jazo track,did some shit with Original Flavor and capitolized off it. Dont hate the player…Hate the………..
See? Thank you! I always seem to be on the other end of that argument with everyone I talk to. They always say Jay was disloyal, didn’t look out for his crew and I say when did loyalty become forever propping up your boys?
As you say – he gave them a shot and it didn’t work out. Sometimes life’s like that. You don’t always get what you want.
In the words of Jay (himself)… “if you really put me on, put yourself on then”. For a considerable amount of time, there was no one in the game close to the stature of Jay, so if you can’t create a following (buzz) in the coat tails of that situation either you are not working or your ish is not hot.
Jay acknowledges that he did not make it on his own and at the same time has provided opportunities for others to succeed.
Debt paid!