A Rundown of All the Friends JAY-Z Shouts Out on "Friends"

On the sixth track of JAY-Z's collaborative album with Beyoncé, 'Everything Is Love,' he takes the opportunity to shout out a series of extended family members and Roc Nation affiliates.

Jun 18, 2018
jay z friends lead getty kevin mazur
Getty

Image via Getty/Kevin Mazur

jay z friends lead getty kevin mazur
Getty

Image via Getty/Kevin Mazur

The sixth song on JAY-Z and Beyoncé's new joint album Everything Is Love is all about friends.

After Beyoncé delivers a verse about how she wouldn't know what to do without her crew, Hov recalls memories with his old friends and takes time to shout-out members of his close-knit crew:


Ty-Ty there, E there, Breezy there, Juan there

High here, Chaka there, Law there, they all here, ah yeah

Dez there, Kawanna here, shit feel like nirvana here

A collection of extended family members and Roc Nation affiliates, these are people who have been by Jay's side for decades. Instead of name-dropping a bunch of famous acquaintances, Jay makes it clear who his real friends are. Continue for a rundown of all the people JAY-Z shouts out on "Friends" below.

Tyran "Ty Ty" Smith

tyran smith jay z getty larry busacca
Image via Getty/Larry Busacca

Lyric: "Ty mama died, I was there, my nephew died, he was there" and "Ty Ty take care of my kids, after he done grievin'" 

JAY-Z's longtime friend and Roc Nation co-founder, Tyran "Ty Ty" Smith has been shouted out on songs since Reasonable Doubt, and on "Friends," Hov reveals he and Beyoncé have asked Smith to look after their kids if something were to happen to them.

Emory Jones

emory jones getty prince williams
Image via Getty/Prince Williams

Lyric: "Bought Emory a BM as soon as he came home" and "E there"

JAY-Z's close friend Emory "Vegas" Jones was sentenced to 16 years in prison on drug charges, but JAY helped him come home early after writing a letter to the judge and offering him an executive position with Roc Apparel Group. Jones has received countless shout-outs in the past, and JAY also dedicated his 2006 Kingdom Come track "Do U Wanna Ride" to him.

Jay Brown

jay brown jay z getty nunez
Image via Getty/Johnny Nunez

Lyric: "Breezy there"

JAY-Z's longtime business partner and friend Jay Brown is the co-founder and CEO of Roc Nation. Before Roc Nation, Brown worked with Jay while he served as Executive Vice President for Def Jam Recordings.

Juan "OG" Perez

juan perez jay z denise truscello
Image via Getty/Denise Truscello

Lyric: "Juan there"

JAY-Z's business partner and friend Juan "OG" Perez co-owns The 40/40 Club in Manhattan with the rapper and serves as the president of Roc Nation Sports. Earlier this year, it was reported that JAY dropped $110,000 on a bar tab for Perez' 50th birthday, but Hov offered a correction on "Top Off": "$91,000 for a wine bill/Keep it real with you, that was Juan's bill."

Chaka Pilgrim

chaka pilgrim getty d dipasupil
Image via Getty/D Dipasupil

Lyric: "Chaka here"

Chaka Pilgrim is the former president and artist manager of Roc Nation Records and currently serves as the head of film and television for Shawn Carter Enterprises. She also oversees some of Jay's music videos, recently working as an executive producer of 4:44 visuals "BAM," "4:44," and "Moonlight."

Lawrence "Law" Parker

Desiree Perez

desiree perez jay z getty johnny nunez
Image via Getty/Johnny Nunez

Lyric: "Dez there"

Desiree Perez has been a close associate of JAY-Z's for over 20 years and currently works as the Chief Operating Officer at Roc Nation. She is also married to Juan "OG" Perez.

Kawanna Brown

kawanna brown getty patrick mcmullan
Image via Getty/Patrick McMullan

Lyric: "Kawanna here"

Kawanna Brown is married to Roc Nation CEO Jay Brown and currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Magic Johnson Enterprises.

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