I’m Not a Business Man I’m a Business Mannnnnn: What Can Jay-Z’ Money Really Buy? Posted by Lucas Garrison on 07/10/13 | Filed under Opinion, Jay-Z

One quick listen through Magna Carta Holy Grail and its clear that Hov likes art. It is also clear that he wants you to know how rich he is (hint: he is really rich). While some might take his Basquiat, Warhol, and Picasso references seriously, I think for the most part it is hyperbole to take hush lavish, luxurious vibe to the next level; obviously he doesn't own all that art, but could he? Put on your thinking caps and break out those calculators because its time we did a little number crunching to see just how rich Hov is.



Back in March, Forbes compiled a list of the top five richest people in hip-hop, Jay-Z was second behind Diddy (worth over $500 million) with a $475 net worth. Considering Hay signed that $20 million dollar deal with Samsung and dropped MCHG, I think its safe to say he is very close, if not over a $500 million dollar net-worth.I don’t know about you, actually, I do (pretty sure you don’t have $500 mill lying around, but that amount of money is inconceivable to me, so Jay could basically make-up anything and I couldn’t tell whether or not he could actually afford it. Well, considering the amount of art references in MCHG, I set out to see how much art he could actually afford. Perhaps the most artist-riddled song on MCHG is "Picasso Baby". Jigga spits more art-oriented lines in the span of 4 minutes and 6 seconds than the rest in hip-hop’s history combined; but How many Rothko’s, Picasso’s, Bacon’s, Basquiat’s, and Warhol’s could he actual afford? Recently some rich white dude bought Picasso's, Le Rêve (pictured below), for a record setting $155 Million. Additionally, two other Picasso pieces have gone for over $100 Mil; Nude, Green Leaves and Bust sold for $106.5 mill in 2010 and in 2004 Garcon a la Pipe went for a cool $104.2 million. If Hov wanted to, he could buy all three for $365.7 million and still be a millionaire with $134.3 million left. While he definitely could do it, I don’t think spending nearly three-quarters of his net-worth on three paintings would be wise. When looking at the other artists Mr. Carter likes to reference, however, things get can get a little crazy.



So you know how I said I don’t think he owns all he paintings he talks about, well I might be wrong, because it is definitely possible. Back in November, Complex compiled a list of the most expensive paintings sold at Christie’s Contemporary Art Auction. As it turns out Hov has pretty good tastes because half of the list is made up of artists Jay mentions. Rothko’s Black Stripe (Orange, Gold, and Black) went for $21.3 mill, Warhol’s Brando went for $23,714,500 and his other piece, Statue Of Liberty (the most expensive piece at the auction), sold at $43.7 million. That’s not all either; Basquiat’s untitled piece sold for $26.4 mill, and Jeff Koon’s Tulips was third on the list going for $33,682,500. If Jay wanted to, he could walk in, buy these five paintings (which would cost him$148,924,500) and still have enough for one of those Picasso’s, as he would still have $351,075,500 left. Sweet baby Jesus, he can actually afford all the art he talks about and more. if he did want more, he could grab a piece from Francis Bacon, mentioned in "Picasso Baby" (“Bacons and turkey bacons, smell the aroma”Triptych, sold for $86.28 million; chump change to Hov.

Art is great and all, but who would want to spend all that money on art when you could do some really crazy shit. For example, Jigga could buy 4 Dwight Howards (who is expected to sign an $88 million dollar contract) make them play two on two and give the winners the most expensive Hublot watch ($5 Million Each). After all that, Jay would still have a cool 138 million left in the bank.



While he might not run for president, Jay could simply buy the White House, which has an estimated worth at $319,699,048 according to Zillow. While he might feel bad about kicking the Obama’s out, I'm sure he could make it up to them. As a parting gift he could buy each member of the first family a Lamborghini Veneno, the most expensive car in the world with a price tag of $3.9 million dollars; of course he would have to get one for blue so she wouldn’t be jealous.The total cost of the five cars? $19.5 million. Not to worry, Jay would still have $160,800,952 left. With that, he could buy the Obama family a new home. But not just any home will do; how about the most expensive house in the nation (owned by Donald Trump), which would cost him $125 million leaving him with a meager, 40 million left. After all that spending he must be hungry, with the remaining 40 mil, Jay could buy around 11 million Big-Macs (which go for $3.57 each). Who needs art when you have enough Big-Mac special sauce to drown a baby elephant?



I knew 500 million bucks was a lot, but Jesus, I really didn’t realize, or comprehend, how much it really can get you. I always took Jay’s lines as extravagant hyperbole, but he just might be serious. If he keeps this up, he might just be hip-hop’s first billionaire; unless he feels like going on a spending spree of course.

See Also:  Here’s a Stream of Jay-Z’ “Magna Carta Holy Grail”. Let the Debate Begin…
See Also:  Hip-Hop’s Mid-Life Crisis (aka the “Magna Carta Holy Grail” Album Review)