Brooklyn rapper Jay-Z has admitted that he learnt how to plan and spend his money from his days as a drug dealer.
The
hip-hop star grew up in Brooklyn and has previously admitted he dealt
crack cocaine by the time he was 13. He looked up to the men who were in
gangs in his neighbourhood and has now spoken about how his early life
impacted his multi-million dollar music business.
“I know about budgets. I was a drug dealer,’ he told Vanity Fair magazine.
“To be in a drug deal, you need to know what you can spend, what you need to re-up.”
Even
while ensconced in the criminal world the now 43-year-old knew it
wasn’t what he wanted long term. He began to think about where life
would take him, but didn’t expect to make it so big in rap music.
“If
you want to start some sort of barbershop or carwash – those were the
businesses back then,’ he explained to the publication’s November issue.
‘Things you can get in easily to get out of [that] life.
“You
have to have an exit strategy, because your window [for dealing drugs]
is very small. You’re going to get locked up or you’re going to die.”
Looking
back, the star can’t believe he became caught up in the drugs world. He
is upset to think he had a hand in peddling illicit substances and
wishes he had spent more time considering his choices.
“Not
until later, when I realised the effects on the community. I started
looking at the community on the whole, but in the beginning, no,” he
admitted.
“I was thinking about surviving. I was thinking about improving my situation. I was thinking about buying clothes.”
Jay
Z also touched upon his future plans. He is married to pop star Beyoncé
Knowles and they have 20-month-old daughter Blue Ivy and being a father
has brought him a great deal of joy.
The
rapper previously claimed he would quit music by the age of 30 and
laughs when he remembers the comments now. He claims that he loves his
job far too much to give it up and will continue laying down tracks for
as long as possible.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment