JAY-Z Settles Debate Over Whether $500K or Lunch with Him Is Worth More: ‘You Gotta Take the Money’

If you had a choice, would you take the $500,000 or have lunch with JAY-Z?

The rap icon sat down with Gayle King for an interview with CBS Morning to discuss a viral issue that has been widely debated by JAY-Z’s fans online, and he settled the debate with some solid business advice.

“You gotta take the money,” JAY-Z, 53, said in the clip, which premiered exclusively on PEOPLE. “What do I say?”

Gayle King and JAY-Z.

Courtesy of CBS Mornings

Usher recalls phone call with JAY-Z about 2024 Super Bowl halftime show: ‘It’s a magical time’

Jay Z.

Kevin Mazur/Getty

King, 68, talked about the ethos behind the debate, explaining that many people think the “wisdom” one could get from the “99 Problems” rapper would help them earn more than $500,000 themselves.

However, if JAY-Z had to choose, he would still take the money. “Because you got all that in music for $10.99. That’s a bad deal. I wouldn’t tell you to get a bad deal,” he advised. “Take $500,000, go buy some albums and listen to the albums. It’s all there.”

JAY Z. Shareif Ziyadat/Getty

“If you put it together and really listen to the music for the words, for what it is, it’s all there. Everything I said would happen, happened. Everything I said I wanted to do, I did, and there’s the blueprint,” he added, referencing the title of his iconic 2001 album. “The blueprint – literally – for me and my life and my journey already exists.”

It’s unclear when the popular online question was first asked, but versions of the query were posted on Instagram at least as far back as 2017, with one user writing: “$10,000 cash or 10 minutes of dinner with Jay-Z?”

Beyoncé’s ‘Church Girl’ beat was originally for JAY-Z: ‘Man, Beyoncé stole my beat’

JAY Z. Shareif Ziyadat/Getty

Last week, a fan reached out to JAY-Z about the debate at the Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Chargers game. According to a video of the moment shared on social media, the man said, “I’m taking that $500,000. I’m not taking that dinner. I’m taking that $500,000. Do you feel me? It’s love after all.”

Then the Grammy winner simply replied, “Be good, man.”

JAY-Z’s full two-part interview with King airs Thursday and Friday CBS Morning.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education