Money Gems Dropped on Jay-Z’s 4:44 Album | Decoded Lyrics

Posted by CapWay in InfluencersAugust 6, 2018(Last Updated November 22, 2022)5 min read
Key Takeaways
  • Jay-Z amassed his billion-dollar wealth from various outlets that include more than just his music catalog.
  • On his 4:44 album, Jay-Z explains the importance of credit, investing, and generational wealth.
  • The financial lessons that Jay-Z teaches in his 4:44 album prove to be one of the greatest albums to talk about personal finance and wealth.
Are you ready to make some real money moves?

Famous rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z is known for his longevity in the rap game. According to Forbes, Jay-Z is also known as hip-hop’s first billionaire, currently sitting at a net worth of $1.4 billion. Jay-Z amassed his wealth from various outlets that include more than just his music catalog. The mogul has undoubtedly dominated in the space of other wealth-building ventures, including investing in startup companies, real estate, artwork, his entertainment company (Roc Nation), and the list goes on. 

 

Jay-Z has been a prominent figure in the rap game since the late 1990s. He released his latest studio album, 4:44, four years ago in 2017, and the financial gems are timeless. He spews out many flows that talk about credit, investing, legacy building, and generational wealth. The financial lessons that Jay-Z teaches his listeners are why the 4:44 album is one of the greatest albums to talk about personal finance and wealth.

 

Play The Long Game: Invest Your Money 

 

“I coulda bought a place in Dumbo before it was Dumbo

For like 2 million / That same building today is worth 25 million

Guess how I'm feelin'? Dumbo” 

- Jay-Z “The Story of O.J.”

  

We may not have millions to invest in real estate like Jay-Z, but we can invest what we have. Real estate provides a great way to produce additional income. However, if you’re looking to invest in real estate on a smaller scale, then Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) might be for you. Investing in REITs allows you to be hands-off with managing the property while allowing you to make passive income. In addition, numerous investments will grow your wealth outside of real estate. Other investment options include the stock market and investment accounts (401K, Roth IRA, Index Funds). 

 

Recommended Read: Investing for Beginners: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

 

Buying assets that will increase in value (appreciate) over time will help you leverage your assets in the long run instead of buying things that decrease in value (depreciate). For example, a new car may be a head-turner while you’re driving on the highway, but it also will depreciate by 10-20% the minute you drive it off of the parking lot. Other items that depreciate include clothes, jewelry, and electronics. To increase your financial health, you must invest your money to strengthen your long-term wealth. As heard from Jay-Z himself, had he invested $2 million in a building, that investment would now be worth $25 million.

 

Image Credit: Oliver Foerstner / Shutterstock.com

Brooklyn Dumbo neighborhood that Jay Z raps about in 4:44

  

Unfortunately, most people shy away from investing because they don't know what to invest in or are unsure how investing works. Investing can seem like a complex idea, but you can become more comfortable by doing research or investing a small amount of money to test your risk tolerance.  

 

CapWay Tip: Browse through the investing category in CapWay’s Learn Money to access more information and resources about investing and where to start.

 

Credit is King in America

 

“You wanna know what's more important than throwin' away money at a strip club? Credit.” 

- Jay-Z “The Story of O.J.”

 

Jay-Z is adding his perspective on the idea of having fun or stacking your funds. Partying with your friends every weekend can seem fun at the moment, but when you look back at all the money you spent, you’ll want to ask yourself was it worth it. Think about all the money you may have spent in college partying with your friends. If you had all that money back, what would you do with it now? You probably would have made better financial decisions. Part of financial health is finding the balance between having fun and stacking your funds.

 

Establishing good credit can open many doors for you. When you have good credit, you also have access to low-interest rates on credit cards and loans. In some cases, good credit improves your chances of getting a job due to some jobs wanting to look at your credit score to gauge whether you are financially responsible. Lenders and creditors also look at your credit score and credit report to gauge creditworthiness. 

 

When you are ready to buy a car or home, a good credit score can help you to be in the position to build wealth. With credit, you can leverage your assets to make income in the long run. Credit is an important part of your financial history and future, and it’s also an important factor when it comes to your financial power. 

 

Recommended Read: Good Credit Makes Your Life Easier

 

Build Generational Wealth for Your Legacy

 

“Generational wealth, that's the key / My parents ain't have ----, so that shift started with me

My mom took her money, she bought me bonds / That was the sweetest thing of all time, uh” 

- Jay-Z “Legacy”

 

The song opens up with Jay-Z and Beyonce’s daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, asking her father what a will is. This is a powerful opening because Jay-Z goes on to rap about the importance of showing your family that you love them by leaving them with financial security even after you’re gone. One of the main points of this song is being intentional about building wealth and leaving behind a legacy for the generations after you.

 

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Image credit: UPI / Alamy Stock Photo

Jay-Z with oldest daughter, Blue Ivy, who he often includes in his songs when rapping about building generational wealth.

 

Although life insurance can be a touchy subject, no one can avoid the inevitable of passing away. The best thing you can do for your family is not to leave them in debt when you die. To ensure your family is well-taken care of, getting life insurance and planning your estate is a must. 

 

The financial choices you make now will impact your future along with your family’s financial future. Like Jay-Z’s mother, a great way to show your children that you care about them is by providing financial security. One of the best financial decisions you can make for your family is to be financially stable yourself and plan for the future. 

 

Recommended Read: How Life Insurance Provides Financial Security for Your Family After You're Gone 

 

Listen to a few of Jay-Z’s most popular songs from his 4:44 album on our Money Music playlist available on Spotify.

 

 

 

Disclaimer: The content in this article is for informational purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as investment, financial, or other advice. 

 

 

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