Occupy Wall Street doesn't take kindly to anyone who can plank on a million, but won't contribute to their cause after trying to eat off of it.
Protesters are still unhappy that Rocawear's "Occupy All Streets" t-shirts aren't lending any financial support to the movement, so now they're taking aim at Jay-Z. The photo on the right is a sculpture, courtesy of Daniel Edwards, that paints Jay as a Scrooge-like figure.
Edwards had this to say about his work: "I think Jay-Z has made himself a face of [the] Wall Street that Occupiers are protesting against. Maybe Jay-Z is striving to be in the one percent? Which is why I chose the composition of a totem pole because I thought it would resemble the number one. Rap stars who turn 'Scrooge' have to suffer some damage to their street credibility."
The dollar sign chain is funny, but is anyone else just a little bit bothered by this semi-slave depiction of Jay? We get it, but still....
[via VladTV]
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alice November 21st, 2011 at 01:26 PM
I was thinking "pharaoh" not "slave" but whatever...
WilliamTheMogul November 21st, 2011 at 01:30 PM
Jay, like most business professionals is an opportunist. He saw an opportunity to profit off a current event. When 9/11 hit and every street corner in LA had a US Flag for sale we didn't shun those people because they didn't donate the funds to the 9-11 Victims and their families. I hate when people throw mud because all things don't go their way. Stop throwing mud. It makes you look weak. You may rally your base but you are pushing your opposition further away. Now you've given more reason for Jay not to donate to your cause. Either way I wish you a great outcome with your OWS Movement. PS: It seems like [Main] street and [Wall] street cred is loyal to the almighty dollar. Ironic how things happen!!!
todd whitney November 21st, 2011 at 04:29 PM
"I feel like a Black Republican, money I got comin' in", Jay Z "Black Republican"...he is who he is. However, that does not let me forgive this ridiculous moment of greed. I know all business men pounce on the opportunity to make a quick buck, but this is out right disgusting and blatant. The line that follows obviously means nothing to him, "Can't turn my back on the hood, I got love for them". If that was really the case then he would take the profits from the shirt and make a statement about repping the hood. To me it's just another case of Jay Z being Jay Z and his fans not being aware of what he has always stood for. "Moment of Clarity", Jay Z I dumb down for my audience And double my dollars They criticize me for it Yet they all yell "Holla" If skills sold Truth be told I'd probably be Lyricly Talib Kweli Truthfully I wanna rhyme like Common Sense (But i did five Mil) I ain't been rhymin like Common since Thanks Hovito...stay doing you.
youngin November 21st, 2011 at 04:34 PM
Slavish depiction... cmon and stop reaching!
222 November 21st, 2011 at 10:30 PM
Yes it does have a slavish undertone, but I feel as though the artist was depicting Jay as a slave to the dollar. Hence the dollar chain around his neck. Chains were used to capture/bound slaves; the chain is around his neck connected to the dollar sign because he's a slave to the dollar. But that's just my opinion on it.
we are the 99% November 23rd, 2011 at 04:45 PM
Jay-z, needs to prove to his fans that he supports the 99%, and contribute a track to the upcoming occupy wall street benefit album.
nicholasps December 1st, 2011 at 08:05 PM
Why do you immediately see "semi-slave" when you look at this? I think alice's "pharaoh" would be more along the lines of what I saw but people see what they want to and you obviously influenced other's perception by putting your own in the article. Get over yourself.