Artists can have greater access to reality; they can see patterns and details and connections that other people, distracted by the blur of life, might miss. Just sharing that truth can be a very powerful thing.
Jay-ZRead
Hip-hop is more about attaining wealth. People respect success. They respect big. They don't even have to like your music. If you're big enough, people are drawn to you.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the relationship between success and wealth in the hip-hop industry, suggesting that popularity often overcomes personal preferences.
In this quote, Jay-Z reflects on the nature of success in the hip-hop world, where the attainment of wealth and fame can overshadow one's artistic talent. He points out that the perception of success leads to respect from others, implying that even those who may not appreciate the music will still be drawn to the artist's status and influence. This phenomenon indicates a societal tendency to value high-profile success over personal connection to the work.
Themes
Hip-HopSuccessWealthRespectFameMusic
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about achieving goals, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of success.
More from Jay-Z
All quotes βThe most amazing feeling I feel_x000D_ _x000D_ Words can't describe what I'm feeling for real _x000D_ _x000D_ Maybe I paint the sky blue _x000D_ _x000D_ My greatest creation was you.
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Far from a Harvard student, just had the balls to do it
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I never ask for nothin' I don't demand of myself. Honesty, loyalty, friends and then wealth
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It was a very intense and stressful situation. There was playing in the Johnny-pump (an opened fire hydrant) and the ice-cream man coming around and all of these games that we'd play, and suddenly it would turn just violent and there would be shootings at 12 in the afternoon on any given day.
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I would run into the corner store, the bodega, and just grab a paper bag or buy juice - anything just to get a paper bag. And I'd write the words on the paper bag and stuff these ideas in my pocket until I got back. Then I would transfer them into the notebook.
Jay-ZRead
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