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EPISODE RECAP
Candid, raw and real, Jay-Z charts his unlikely rise from the hard-knock life of the Brooklyn projects to worldwide superstardom and what he's learned along the way. He reflects on his failures, the healing power of hip-hop and how he finally made peace with his father before he passed away. Plus, Jay-Z shares his personal revelations about integrity and why knowing your own truth is the foundation for everything great.
“My pain your entertainment…” –Jay-Z
Musicians and other entertainment industry persons tend to give off a character. The audience is not always aware if this is one of the artist’s personas or if the artist is baring their soul. In the Hip-Hop culture, this is a continuous trend. On the radio, I always hear about how much money the artist has, new rims on his/her escalade or the “Ho’ of the week.” It is rare to hear about where an artist comes from (not just their hood). Humble beginnings. The Oprah Presents Master Class: Jay-Z, took me by surprise. Jay-Z had the stereotypical childhood of a young African-American male growing up in the projects, but when his family got him his first boom box and blank notebook, he found something worthwhile to put effort into. His poems/verses, some of which were predictions of the present, allowed him to reach audiences of all types and all walks of life. He dreamed big growing up; be a millionaire by the age of 30. However, tapping into his intention to reach an audience, served as the catalyst of getting ahead within his career. Throughout his music path, Jay-Z (2011) stated, “Failure is a great tutor…I haven’t figured out how to learn from success.” As an aspiring musician, this is a hard concept to grasp. In this industry, you have to be prepared for success and failures, but to embrace your failures is like shoving a pin through your eye. It’s hard to hear you’re not good enough or you’re not the right type for what the label needs, but for every hundreds of No’s, all you need is one yes to start you on the path to your dream. Embracing your failures allows you to learn what works and what does not. I appreciated the emphasis on in order to be successful, you not only have to know who you are but you also have to stay true to yourself. Bring what you do to the table, no need for you to copy what someone else is doing. When I first saw Jay-Z and heard his music, no doubt he was talented and business oriented but the impression I had of him was arrogance that could almost go head to head with P. Diddy. After watching this special, I see a talented business man whom is truly grateful for what he has accomplished in his life so far and is continuing to move forward. If he can do this, what is stopping me?
