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JAY-Z has always been known as someone with supreme confidence, but even he was once humbled in the presence of Michael Jackson — at least, that’s how producer Rodney Jerkins remembers it.
Jerkins, who produced a good amount of Jackson’s 2001 album Invincible, recalled how Hov first connected with MJ in a new interview on The Almanac of Rap.
The relationship ultimately resulted in JAY bringing Michael onstage at Summer Jam 2001. But Jerkins told The Almanac of Rap host Donwill how it all started.
“You remember when Michael was brought up onstage by JAY-Z?” Jerkins began. “Who do you think introduced JAY-Z to Michael?
“So I get the call from my man Big Chuck, who’s from Brooklyn, and Big Jon [Platt], the publisher — he’s now the CEO of Sony/ATV. And they were like, ‘Yo, JAY really want[s] to meet Michael. Can you make that happen?’ I was like, ‘I got you.’
“So I brought him up to the studio, took him to meet Michael. That was the most humble I ever seen JAY-Z in my life… I know JAY to be so cool, and you could tell it was a different thing when he got with Mike.”
Check out the exchange beginning at the 28:19 mark below.
JAY-Z just recently got a new set of career accomplishments when he received a bevy of RIAA certifications.
Last Friday (August 23), the Recording Industry Association of America officially bestowed platinum and multi-platinum certification on six of Hov’s most beloved singles. Of those, the only one to earn its very first indication of 1 million records sold was 2000’s “I Just Wanna Love You (Give It 2 Me).”
Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” hit the 2x platinum mark, while “99 Problems” is officially 3x platinum. The Brooklyn rapper’s Justin Timberlake-assisted “Holy Grail” is now 6x platinum, as is the anthemic “Run This Town,” featuring Rihanna and Kanye West.
The former partners in rhyme also earned a 3x platinum certification for the Watch The Throne track “No Church In The Wild,” which features Frank Ocean on the hook.
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The multi-hyphenate entertainer has scored five new certifications, including a platinum plaque for “Issues/Hold On,” which has sold over one million equivalent units in the U.S. The Kanye West-produced track is lifted from her 2018 album, K.T.S.E., which has been crowned gold for selling over 500,000 equivalent units.
Taylor’s third LP, The Album, has also reached gold status, tallying her second project to become RIAA certified. The King Combs-assisted “How You Want It,” a single from The Album, has been certified platinum.
Last, but not least, Taylor’s “Do Not Disturb” featuring Chris Brown is now gold. The steamy jam appears on her 2014 debut album, VII.
Taylor took to social media to celebrate her new RIAA updates. “Father God I thank you and I praise you in the name of Jesus. Thank You for showing patience with me, your kindness, grace & mercy every day. Your mercies never cease,” she wrote in a caption for her photo of her with her new plaques.
She continued, “Father God, please continue to instruct and teach me as I continue my faith walk. Thank you for keeping my head high to keep my crown from falling. I love you. Thank you for reminding me the wait is not punishment, it was preparation. Thank you to everyone involved with helping me bring these albums and songs to life. I am filled with much gratitude! WE PLATINUM & GOLD YALL.”
In other news, Taylor just released her new single “Long Time.” It’s the first offering from her upcoming album Escape Room, which will be accompanied by a short film. Taylor directed and produced the visual under her production company, The Aunties. It co-stars LaKeith Stanfield and Aaron Pierre, who appear in the video for “Long Time” as well.
Further, Taylor joined Ciara on her “Ecstasy (Remix)” alongside Normani. “When Ci hit me about jumping on this remix, it was an automatic yes,” Taylor said. “To be a part of this moment with two queens I love so much! Not only do I get to call Ciara and Normani my friends I get to call them my sisters! That’s black girl magic. We bringing the sensual, the sisterhood, and the soul. Let’s go!”
Taylor stars in Tyler Perry’s new drama Straw, now streaming on Netflix, alongside Taraji P. Henson and Sherri Shepherd.
