Gerrard Kaonga
One of the most divisive debates in the hip hop world has finally been put to rest by Jay-Z.
The billionaire rapper, real name Shawn Carter, has addressed the viral argument starter regarding which is worth more, lunch with him or $500,000 cash.
Jay-Z is regarded by many as one of the greatest rappers ever, but the Brooklyn-born rapper has also been praised for his business acumen.
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In 2019, he became rap’s first billionaire, and his current net worth is estimated at around $2.5 billion.
It was at this time that the debate was at its peak, with some fans remarking that a meal with Jay-Z would be invaluable, while others would argue there is nothing the rapper could say to trump half a million dollars cash.
CBS Mornings Gayle King spoke to the rapper in an interview which will air in full on Thursday and Friday (October 26 and 27) on CBS, and asked for his take on the fierce debate.
“You gotta take the money, what am I going to say?” Jay-Z candidly replied while laughing.
King replied: “People say of course you take lunch with Jay-Z because the wisdom that you would get from him would be so beneficial to you. You would take the money?”
The 'Empire State of Mind' rapper said: “Yeah [I would]. Because you got all that in the music for $10.99. That is a bad deal, I wouldn’t tell you to cut a bad deal.
“Take the $500,000, go buy some albums and listen to the albums, it’s all there.
“If you piece it together and really listen to the music for the words, for what it is, it is all there.
“Everything that I said was going to happen, happened. Everything I said I wanted to do, I have done.
“There is the blueprint, the blueprint, literally to me and my life and my journey is there already.”
Social media users were elated that Jay-Z had finally put the question to bed and mocked their friends who suggested taking the dinner would be the better option.
“Jay-Z didn’t amass his fortune by having dinners with rich people. He acquired capital. That’s all imma say,” one X user wrote.
“Jay's answer is exactly how I answered a friend some time ago. If you listen to 'You Don’t Know' by Jay-Z, you will understand why he is rich. All the lessons are in the rap if you listen,” another X user remarked.
“Finally ends that dumb a** debate. 'What ima say?' I can’t believe some people really thought they were smart turning down the 500k,” another user joked.