By now, you might have seen clips on the news about JAY-Z’s sit-down with Dean Baquet, the executive editor of The New York Times. But if you haven’t seen the full 35-minute clip, here’s your chance.
This is worth watching for more than a few reasons. One, I’m always fascinated to see two people from such different backgrounds — JAY-Z, the Brooklyn rapper and now multimillionaire mogul; Baquet, from New Orleans who was named NYT’s point person in 2014 — interact. Without these types of interviews, you might miss how cerebral JAY-Z actually is, and how “down home” Baquet is, despite his accomplishments.
Another reason: Just a chance to LOOK at these two black men who have risen to the top of their respective industries. You know how you (still) hope to see Hollywood’s Black A-listers hook up for a movie? Like, Denzel, Halle, Viola Davis, Will Smith, Morgan Freeman, Don Cheadle . . . can we get all of THEM in a movie together? Anyway, watching these two men talk is kinda like that — when don’t you want to see accomplished black folk together?
But finally, there’s the conversation itself: Baquet didn’t rise to the top of the New York Times by not knowing how to ask questions. And HOVA opens up about race, his infidelities and the soul-searching that goes along with all of it.
Anyway, watch. Enjoy!
