He's A Business, Man: Why Jay-Z Wouldn't Give His Cousin a $4800 Loan

A wise African-American lyrical prophet named Jay-Z once said that he could turn $250,000 into $500,000, and we, for one, believe him. As a matter of fact, Hov has proven it time and time again.

The Brooklyn rapper-turned-billionaire businessman's influence extends far beyond his music, though. Over the years, he's cemented himself as a trailblazer in both entertainment and entrepreneurship.

In the past, he's used the profits he's made via his various ventures to give back to the community.

However, a resurfaced clip confirmed Hov isn't as generous with his coins when it comes to his family members.

In a candid and unfiltered interview with comedian Kevin Hart, the rap mogul shared a story that sent social media into a frenzy. His comments sparked an intense debate about setting financial boundaries with family.

In a Season 2 episode of Hart to Hart, Jay-Z recounted a story in which his cousin approached him for a loan. With Jay's investment of $4,800, his cousin promised to make $2 million.

The topic arose because Jay-Z and Kevin were discussing the perils of fame and wealth — not to mention how lonely the journey to success can be. Jay told the host: "You gotta explain to him life isn't like that. Money isn't free. No one's giving out opportunities."

He insinuated that the cousin in question took offense and said: "Oh, you don't believe in my dreams." Most people can relate, whether you're Jay-Z or the cousin in this situation.

So — was Jay-Z being stingy, or nah? The internet weighed in.

Should Jay-Z be praised for his financial prudence or criticized for not assisting his cousin in a time of need? The internet is divided. Much like other trending topics, Twitter served as the battleground for this debate.

"Jay-Z has 2.5 billion dollars, his cousin asked for $4,800, and he said no. To put that into perspective, that'd be the equivalent of someone who made $50,000 a year being asked to give a dime," one Twitter user said.

@MrsBundrige captioned the video: "I’ll never get over a billionaire saying some bulls--t like this!"

Others were able to find the humor in the situation, though.

Although he stood on his decision not to give the $4,800 to his cousin, Jay-Z has a history of investing in his family members.

@JAY_Z_Daily confirmed that the rapper had invested in a cousin's restaurant before.

"[By the way], this cousin, Jamar White — who Jay-Z invested in his restaurant business 12 years ago — expanded to Dubai just last year," the account posted.

It is unclear whether this is the same cousin who requested the $4,800 loan, but this information does shed light on Hov's willingness to help his family members in certain circumstances.

The resurfaced interview has everybody wondering how Jay-Z got so rich. We have answers!

Jay-Z's net worth stands at an astonishing $2.5 billion thanks to his wide-ranging investment portfolio.

Beyond music, Jay-Z has strategically invested in the retail, alcohol, and tech industries. Along with his brand, Ace of Spades champagne, he invested in D'Ussé — a prestigious cognac brand that aligns with his penchant for luxury and quality.

Jay-Z's real estate ventures have also played a major role in his financial portfolio. Not only does he own a stake in the 40/40 Club sports bar chain, but he's also acquired a couple of luxury properties throughout his career.

And then, there's Tidal — a music streaming platform that revolutionized how artists released their music. Plus, he still owns Roc Nation and its affiliates, which have also contributed substantially to the rapper's ever-growing wealth.

All of these ventures highlight his savvy approach to diversifying his income. If you follow Hov's Blueprint, maybe you can do it, too.