The Unsung Humanitarianism Of JAY-Z
It's been seven years since JAY-Z graced the Saturday Night Live stage with a musical performance, so it seemed only natural for the Brooklyn emcee (and illustrious hip-hop mogul) to return to the show on the heels of his universally lauded thirteenth studio album, 4:44. The emotionally devastating magnum opus would translate into a powerful statement on the Sept. 30 episode of SNL. Jay performed the album's riveting and confessional title track, as well as the Caribbean-tinged, Damien Marley-assisted "Bam." While he sported a modest black and white ensemble for "4:44," he opted to make a more daring statement for “Bam” by donning a personalized jersey of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick.
Just like every move the rapper makes, his timing was impeccable. As Kaepernick and other black athletes continue to be persecuted for kneeling to peacefully protest the national anthem, the rapper squarely let the world know that he stands in solidarity with them. On SNL, Jay stood with his back against the audience so they could see Kaepernick's name in bold letters on the back of the jersey just as Marley chants "This a hunting season" towards the end of "Bam."
JAY-Z's political and social stances have been making waves for years, though. They just tend to be overlooked because they don't fit the narrative of what a rapper should be. Even celebrated civil rights activist Harry Belafonte came for Jay a few years back for staunchly believing the emcee lacked social consciousness, but he continues to prove him—and the rest of the world—wrong.
The proof is in the pudding, so here are five instances of JAY-Z's humanitarianism that have transpired over the course of his career, and you can bet on there being more to come.
JAY-Z uses his music streaming service, Tidal, to frequently help disaster victims as well as raise money for various charities.
Earlier this month, Jay’s Tidal sent a plane to hurricane stricken Puerto Rico with over 20,000 pounds of supplies. The company is also providing relief to those affected by Hurricane Harvey, Irma, Maria, and earthquakes in Mexico with the third annual Tidal X: Brooklyn Benefit Concert taking place on Oct. 17. Scheduled performers include Jennifer Lopez, Cardi B and DJ Khaled, with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to natural disaster victims. In 2015, the concert raised money for the New World Foundation, which distributed funds to Black Lives Matter, Opportunity Agenda and The Trayvon Martin Foundation). In 2016, it benefitted the Robin Hood Foundation.
JAY-Z and Beyonce helped bail out protesters that were arrested during anti police-brutality that took place in Baltimore—anonymously.
When Freddie Gray died at the hands of Baltimore police in 2015, after first denouncing repeated police brutality, riots quickly followed. A lot of the protestors couldn’t make bail, and that’s where cultural critic dream hampton claimed JAY-Z and Beyonce came in. She tweeted: "When we needed money for bail for Baltimore protesters, I asked hit Jay up, as I had for Ferguson, wired tens of thousands in mins."
When Sean Bell was murdered by the NYPD, Jay quietly set up a trust fund for Bell’s children.
In 2006, Sean Bell was shot and killed by NYPD just hours before his wedding. Two years later, it was revealed that Jay founded an educational trust for his children. Bell’s widow, Nicole Paultre Bell, went on to appear in Rocawear’s “I Will Not Lose” campaign later that year in which she stated: “We are going to be here to the end, ‘til justice is served.”
The rapper donated $1 million to American Red Cross relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and, as Kanye famously stated, solidified how black people were neglected in the face natural disaster. JAY-Z opted for the less controversial (but still incredibly impactful route) by donating a million dollars to American Red Cross to help victims salvage their lives after the hurricane. “This is our community,” he previously stated in an interview. “I see a lot of black people on the streets. I know it’s other people, too, but those projects have been hit hard.”
In 2003, alongside his mother Gloria Carter, he founded The Shawn Carter Foundation to help financially challenged teens attend college.
The Shawn Carter Foundation, which was launched 14 years ago, has raised over $4 million to help students with economic challenges. “I have always taught my kids the importance of working hard for what you want,” Gloria Carter said. “I’ve made it my mission to empower youth by giving them access to higher education.” Earlier this year, The Shawn Carter Foundation partnered with eBay for Charity with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to the foundation’s educational programs and scholarship fund.
