Nas Ethers Jay-Z on Social Responsibility, Helps Homeless Family Posted by Lucas Garrison on 08/09/13 | Filed under Jay-Z, Nas, General Awesomeness

While this might end up being another article all together, it is the perfect introduction for this piece. Earlier this month, Jay-Z was criticized by Harry Belafonte for not doing enough for the community. Considering how affluent and influential he is Jay could make some real change, but has been lacking in the “social responsibility” department. Jay’s response? “I’m offended by that because first of all, and this is going to sound arrogant, but my presence is charity. Just who I am. Just like Obama’s is. Obama provides hope. Whether he does anything, the hope that he provides for a nation, and outside of America is enough.”

You're right, Jay, that does sound arrogant. Thankfully, not all artists in a position to make a difference cop out like Hov. In fact, it just so happens that Jay’s formal rival and fellow New Yorker, Nas, is helping to pick up the slack, helping out a now homeless DC family.



Stanley Young, a unemployed, DC construction worker. Mr. Young, a single father, and his eight kids were displaced from their DC apartment, because of a fire in the store below. Living out of a hotel, the Young family is scrambling to find a new place to live and time is running out; they have to leave the hotel on the 13th. After Nas got wind of the The Young family’s situation thanks to a DC news report he stepped in to help. Nas used his powers for good, taking to twitter and setting up a Crowdtilt page to take donations for Stanley (be sure to donate if you can afford it).

I was moved by the sad story of Stanley Young-father of 7 now homeless. Help me give his family a miracle: https://t.co/gEGjlb9LRb

— Nasir Jones (@Nas) August 8, 2013

This is the meaning of Community coming together. Not about me alone. Us. Spreadn love.

— Nasir Jones (@Nas) August 8, 2013

Thanks to Nas’ efforts, donations far exceeded the initial goal of $30,000; now he has set the bar at $50,000. In the time I have been writing this, the total has shot up from $39,000 to $42,000, so I don’t think it will be long until the 50K goal is reached. Rappers, like Hov, can be a little out of touch, often forgetting what’s important and letting their egos get in the way of rational thinking. It’s nice to know that some people, no matter how many albums they sell or how much money they make no what’s important. A rappers “presence” is all well and good, but for us normal folk, and the likes of Mr. Young, Jay-Z’s version of charity doesn’t mean much. Nas’ efforts will though.

See Also:  Nas Cleverly Responds To The Jay-Z Hanging Video By Not Acknowledging It (Video)
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