The Doctor Is In! Dr. Cornel West Calls Out Jay-Z For “Lies” In Nets’ Ownership

October 13th, 2012 - By Drenna Armstrong

WENN.com

It’s not easy being business, man.

Ever since Jay-Z purchased a share in the Brooklyn Nets, it seems everyone’s got a problem with Hov. Whether it be people wondering why he talks about it so much or exactly how much of the team he actually owns, there is always something hovering over this purchase.

Well, leave it to Dr. Cornel West to come out and tell it like he thinks it is.  At a recent event, Dr. West was filmed addressing a crowd and he got on the subject of Jay-Z and the Brooklyn Nets.  On one hand, it sounded like he was praising Jay for how far he’s come but on the other hand, it seems there was definitely some shade. He said:

  “Jay-Z came from Marcy Projects. Look at him now, he owns the whole [arena]‘ No! He owns one-fifteenth of one percent of the stadium, let’s get it right.”

We all know shade when we see it, right? We also know that Dr. West is pretty known for calling people out as he does it on a regular basis to President Barack Obama and several others.  But he goes on to talk about how a “Russian gangster” actually owns 80 percent of the Nets and he wants Jay to just keep it real:

“Now I love Jay-Z, I’ve spent much time with the brother.  He’s a lyrical genius. But we’ve got to tell the truth. Tell the truth, Jay-Z.  You told the truth on Reasonable Doubt in 1996. That’s what he started out with. We love you but we’re going to make sure you’re accountable too.  All of us in this together and I’m saying it out of love.”

If that’s out of love, I don’t want to see Dr. West angry. But seriously, should Jay-Z be more clear about his actual ownership in the team?  As a rapper, he’s done like most other rappers when they do something big and has boasted about “his team.” He also said during one of his concerts at the Barclays Center last weekend that he doesn’t know where people are getting that percentage from (actually, most people got it from the New York Times)  but he doesn’t take it personal.  Many knew that he wasn’t a majority owner in the team but is he selling “hoop dreams” to fans who might think otherwise?

Or, should people just let him live?  Jay might not be the majority owner of the Nets but he has been the face of not only the team but of the Barclays Center ever since his involvement in the team was announced. In fact, he has a 40/40 Club in the Barclays. So regardless of his actual ownership, has his influence already eclipsed it?

You can read the rest and check out the video at Hip Hop Wired.

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  • http://twitter.com/missmaybell missmaybell

    See Dr. West Dem (FOLKS) SHUT your show down & you are NOT a Full Professor WHILE you DIPPING in FOLKS Business your STUFF isn”t Together—- Where YO MONEY SIR !!??

  • http://twitter.com/missmaybell missmaybell

    CORNEL WEST & TAVIS SMILEY are BLACK on BLACK Haters they have nothing NEGATIVE to say about ANY of DEM (FOLKS) that are NOT BLACK—-

  • gmarie

    This sounds like yet another case of people seeing and believing only the things they want to. Jay-Z has made numerous public appearances with the majority owner of the Nets. He has stated numerous times he is part owner. Whether that part is 51% 100% or .57% it is a PART of the franchise he has bought ownership into. To be honest he’d be an idiot to purchase a percentage any larger than he has. The team has not been proven to generate significant revenue or winnings to date.Don’t you have a class to teach Dr. West.?

  • TruthHurtz12

    I find it amazing that folks would rather try to dissect his percent of ownership and his say in what matters within the team and Barclays when at the end of the day its a black man who had done well for himself and no matter “THE” percentage he has it period. While everybody is on here is making a mere fraction of his income. Is it that important that you have to try and bring this dude down for being successful …hahaha hilarious . I dont care if he’s making a 1/4 of 1/15 of a percent … you cant knock the man for his business acumen ..

  • Black

    I understand where the Dr. is coming from. On the basis of these rappers are selling “hoop dreams” to the youth. Only a handful make it, out of hundreds of thousands who want to be int he “rap game”. If you do make it, you sold your soul for it, believe that. When they are done with you, they will sick the IRS on you, to let them take everything the music big wigs didn’t. Reading, writing, and arithmatic is what our youth need to focus on. Not what new nail polish Ri Ri is rockin’ or will I/will I not be the first to cop the new Lebrons. Our priorities are out of sync black folks. Remember kids: The rich is further from The Most High, than the humble. Don’t buy what Jay Z and his handful of people, are selling!

  • http://twitter.com/MsRedboneBrite Tee Elyse

    As Jay stated during his last performance: “Don’t let anyone diminish your accomplishments!” Whether he owns .000001% or 99.99%, it doesn’t matter! He’s a black man who owns a piece, granted it big or small, of a team that he also helped bring to his borough! Dang, folks don’t respect nobody’s hustle anymore!

    • http://www.facebook.com/jennifer.edia Jenn E. Penny

      either way, he owns part of it, an accomplishment is a accomplishment, and I will give him that any day of the week. Serena and venus are minority owners of the Miami dolphins and i dnt see anyone asking for reciepts, .9% or 99%, if the profit is a millions dollars Jay z will be getting .9% more than Dr. West, congratulate the man, dnt tear him down

      • http://twitter.com/MsRedboneBrite Tee Elyse

        EXACTLY!!! I couldn’t agree with you more! & I didn’t know that about the Williams sisters! Learn something new everyday!

  • Jrpacman369

    If he own’s 1 percent or 15 percent he owns a percentage, period. Why not celebrate him for diversifying his wealth rather than trying to nitpick it? If Jay was to respond “how much do you own, Dr West?” he wouldn’t have an answer.

  • sandra

    cornell west is a hater. and i dont even like jay

    • YUP

      Ouch…and true.

  • Gush Hanson

    The “TRUTH” Cornel is referring to could also be the plight of poor Black People – that he wants Jay to speak on MORE!

  • Tagirl

    Who doesn’t know that Jay-Z doesn’t own the arena? When I was in college, Dr. West was heavily celebrated and promoted in My Africana Studies classes, but since he and Tavis started attacking President Obama, I’ve lost a lot of respect for him.

  • Judy1

    Cornel West is such a “Hater”. Please go somewhere and in my “Madea Voice” and sat down!!!
    The only thing he and Tavis Smiley does is bash their own kind….Make that 2 Haters…..How pathetic are they?????

    • Intellect

      He didn’t say that Jay is a horrible rapper. That would be hating. He told the truth about Jays ownership because black people like you will run around ignorantly and act like Jay Z has a say in anything about that team. There is nothing wrong with him urging us to think critically so that young black boys will think that there are better careers than rapping.

  • BlipDoll

    Why do Blacks worship someone based on their acquisition of money? We idolize and base someone’s success on how much value they have in a system that was never for us to begin with. Jay Z (or any other entertainer) is not exempt from the opinions of others. Pathetic.

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  • rororore

    This is wrong on so many levels is West mad cause he doesn’t own a portion of the Nets? Why is this even important. We all own a portion of the Net with our tax dollasr, Z portion is just a little bigger then ours

    • diggy.p

      No we don’t. If that’s the case why am I not getting any dividends?

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  • Blayke_Love

    Yes, Jay CLEARLY has ownership. He has never stated majority ownership… Just the TRUTH, OWNERSHIP? No white man ever had to disclose what percentage they own of ANYTHING…. I surely don’t see Russian anything representing the NETS. Basically Jays influence and OWNERSHIP is the lure, the face and the seduction of the team. Keep it real, He is an owner, why does it matter what percentage. I researched the NY TIMES and i must have missed the claimed percentage quote. It doesn’t affect me 1 bit. I am elated for ANY black man owning their dream team in their HOME TOWN…IT AIN’T IN RUSSIA, and jay has the key to the BUILDING… #stophatincornellwest #httr #canhelive #

    • realadulttalk

      What is it with you and the keys to the building? The janitor has those…AND?!?!?

  • bluekissess

    Why should I care? If he owned a penny of it he still would be rich and I’ll be struggling

  • Well

    I saw nothing wrong with what Dr. West just said. It was the truth, jay z acts as if he is the one calling the shots and his fans believe it.

    • Blayke_Love

      HOW DO YOU KNOW?

  • Uncle C

    Dr West is sounding more and more like a hater every time he opens is mouth now.

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