#JAY-Z Wants To Be Remembered Like Bob Marley When He's Gone

JAY-Z has remained busy even in the midst of a pandemic. From continuing to stretch his portfolio to extending his lead as one of the most decorated rappers in Grammy Award history, the 51-year-old Hov is still being considerate of his legacy.

In an interview with the UK’s The Sunday Times, he looked back on his more than three decades in Hip Hop and laid out how he wants to be remembered.

“I have no idea,” Hov said. “I’m not beyond ego, right? Hopefully they speak of me [with] the names of Bob Marley and all the greats. But that’s not for me to say.”

When asked what he was most proud of, Hov said, “I’m most proud of overcoming my circumstances and providing opportunity for people who look like me and who came from the same situation that I’ve come from.”

New JAY-Z interview with The Times (UK)

JAY-Z talks about Puma’s Only See Great campaign, gets interrupted by Rumi ❤ pic.twitter.com/aTt3HfSTrr

— JAY-Z Daily (@JAY_Z_Daily) April 25, 2021

Throughout the lengthy interview, JAY-Z made moments to reflect on how the pandemic grounded him, wife Beyoncé and their three children, Blue Ivy, Sir and Rumi. In his eyes, the pandemic prompted the family to become more connected than ever.

“In the beginning, it was time for everyone to sit down and really connect, and really focus on family and being together, and take this time to learn more about each other,” he said. “And then, as it wore on, it’s like, ‘OK, all right, what is the new normal?’ If anything came from this, it’s that we have to recognize that we’re all connected. It’s a metaphor for how connected we are.”

Hov was recently spotted at the memorial service for former labelmate and occasional sparring partner DMX on Saturday (April 24). Although he didn’t publicly speak at the memorial service, some fans rumored he and Beyoncé had purchased X’s masters not long after the Yonkers’ rapper died on April 9. Swizz Beatz, along with the family of DMX, put the rumors to bed.

“There have been a few rumors following our loved one, Earl Simmons’, passing that we’d like to clear up,” the family statement read. “No one has bought Earl’s masters. Additionally, we are not selling any merch or raising money for Earl’s funeral. If anyone is requesting for money for his funeral please be aware the person is a scammer. We will keep the public posted on funeral/memorial service arrangements.”