Jay-Z
Founder at Roc Nation
He’s got 99 problems but a list ain’t one.
Jay-Z once asked: “Who do you know fresher than Hov’? Riddle me that.” And, when it comes to adding some star quality to SL Green Realty and Caesars Entertainment’s bid for a Times Square casino, we think there’s nobody fresher.
The Brooklyn-raised rapper, producer and entrepreneur’s Roc Nation became the surprise holy grail in this real estate bid in December. After all, Jay-Z “made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can,” and with the Roc Boys now joining Marc Holliday in his plans to revitalize the “Heart of the City” into a mini-Vegas, the real estate “Blueprint” is complete.
He’s talked about his “Empire State of Mind” for some time now, and while we agree “Let’s hear it for New York,” Times Square is one area that has been arguably languishing of late. The hope is the new casino will give it a makeover, the streets will once again “make you feel brand new” and, heck, the “big lights will inspire you.”
“New York is a beacon, the epicenter of culture,” Jay-Z said at the time the partnership was announced. “We have the opportunity to create a destination at the heart of Times Square, the true crossroads of the world. My partnership with SL Green and Caesars, this coalition, has all the promise and commitment to economic opportunity, growth and enrichment for the community, and everyone who visits the Empire State.”
While we think real estate titans are formidable in their own right — occupational hazard — Jay-Z only amplifies the power of this potentially Midtown-changing bid.
In his own words, and invoking Julius Caesar, funnily enough: “I came, I saw, I conquered. From record sales, to sold-out concerts.” And that’s not all. Besides being the greatest rapper of all time (come at me), the Brooklyn native became the first hip-hop billionaire in 2019, and has a slew of additional businesses — from Rocawear clothing to Tidal streaming service — so, you “Can’t Knock the Hustle.”
Of course, there might be some naysayers (“You know the type, loud as a motorbike but wouldn’t bust a grape in a fruit fight”) but we don’t see failure in the cards here.
After all, Jay has proven time and time again: “I got a million ways to get it — choose one/Bring it back — now double your money and make a stack.”
