Justin Bieber and Jay Z’s SUV ride to a club in Miami is one of those journey’s that fascinates.
Like Kate Middleton’s first car ride with Wills to meet her then potential in-laws, that denied but still fun to imagine narrowly avoided British Airways flight with Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie, or Noah’s first conversation with wifey after all the animals were aboard, “Am I right or am I right?”
Wondering what the king of hip-hop and prince of pop may have chatted about, if they did, makes hypothetical flies-on-the-wall out of all of us.
And that’s okay.
Like other stars, Rihanna, Jermaine Dupri, Timbaland, Kevin Hart, Teyana Tyalor, Rick Ross and more, Bieber was in Miami on Friday for the last concert of Justin Timberlake and Jay Z’s Legends of the Summer tour at the Sun Life Stadium.
Post show, Jay Z rode with Bieber to an afterparty at Mansion nightclub.
Some time after, the 19-year-old posted an Instagram and later tweeted the same snap of himself sitting next to the Hov and Hart, captioning them, “Chilling with the boys” and “Last night with the fellas” respectively.
So, what might they have jawed about?
1: Fame
When a guest, okay it was LeBron James, gets a police escort to one of your shows, you’re a big star. Even without being one half of a music power couple, now 12 albums in and still going strong Jay Z knows a little something about fame and criticism. Respective rows over his appearance at the UK’s Glastonbury festival in 2008 and fifth wedding anniversary trip to Cuba this April, cases in point.
As for Bieber, his past five months in the doghouse keeps getting extended. While the singer may see himself as more sinned against than sinning, monkey business, mop bucket encounters, tour bus drug busts, and TMZ’s obsession with picking up the slack when there is no actual news hasn’t helped.
While Bieber has vowed to share his perspective on his crazy year on his upcoming album, Jay Z has addressed the downside of fame, paparazzi, and fans on his newest opus Magna Carta… Holy Grail . [Lyric] “Bright lights is enticing but look what it did to Tyson… F**k the fame, keep cheating on me, what I do, I took her back…I know nobody to blame, Kurt Cobain, I did it to myself.”
2: Fatherhood
Father to a one year and eight months old daughter Blue Ivy, Jay Z’s song “Glory” heard two days after her birth revealed his joy at being a dad. While The Guardian’s Sam Richards believes the arrival of a pram has eroded Jay Z’s lyrical bite — firstly, that’s arguable — but equally, could be a trade the rapper would gladly make at this point in his life.
For his part, Justin has always been rather handy with young children and babies, not just the sick ones. Back in 2011, the then 17-year-old informed Us Weekly Magazine he wanted to be a “young dad.” Two years later he told the same magazine the same thing.
So, tips from Jay Z on being a real life daddy? Maybe.
3: Moving Past A Reputation
While Jay Z’s former life on the way to mogulhood — he has referenced selling crack cocaine and being shot at in his music, and after initially denying an indictment over a stabbing the rapper later plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge — makes Bieber’s alleged criminality look like Bambi’s gap year, the 43-year-old may have thought his SUV buddy could benefit from a wee “I’ve been there, you really don’t want to go there” chat.
4: Bonding Over Hip-Hop
His ability to entertain, inspire, and speak to power through his lyrics has taken Jay Carter from Marcy Houses, a housing project in Brooklyn, New York City to critically acclaimed musical success, stakes in Rocawear, the 40/40 club, Carol’s Daughter, Brooklyn’s Barclays Center (though he has now sold his part ownership in the Brooklyn Nets), a Samsung deal, branding co-directorship at Budweiser Select, movie scoring, and a friendship with President Barack Obama.
Seventeen years after his 1996 debut and millions of dollars later, a love of rap has enticed Jay Z out of retirement at least once and probably will again.
Notwithstanding his less than impressive turn on Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” at his Believe tour stop in Detroit, Bieber’s enthusiasm for hip hop, rap, and the culture (despite Sharon Osbourne’s race-fixated reading of that), can be seen in numerous interviews, soundchecks and concerts where he has either rapped or spoken about his love for the genre.
From a baby rap on “Speaking in Tongues,” to his spot on Maejor Ali’s “Lolly,” Asher Roth’s “Actin’ Up,” his longstanding relationship with Young Money Entertainment artists, rappers Ludacris, Big Sean, Tyler, The Creator, and recent studio session with Future — Bieber’s interest is consistent.
Oh, and they both rate Kanye West. Sorry, Yeezus.
Bieber On “Speaking In Tongues” 2010
Bieber Raps With Chris Brown, And Rye Rye On Asher Roth’s “Acting Up” From The Greenhouse Effect, Vol. 2 Mixtape (2013)
5: Beyoncé
Five years hitched and reportedly together for at least ten years, Jay Z’s relationship with Queen Bey seemed properly romantic in her documentary Life Is But A Dream and their performances as a couple.
Offering absolutely no competition at all, Bieber’s oft-declared crush on the Houston native led to his sweet fumble while co-presenting at the 2010 Grammys when he substituted Beyonce’s name for Bon Jovi’s. Other examples abound online.
6: Basketball, Fashion, And Forbes
Jay Z may have sold his minority stake in the Brooklyn Nets but he is still regularly seen courtside at games and has maintained his share in the Barclays Center where the team often play.
Of late, Bieber’s been getting a hard time when he attends basketball games what with the booing and mocking of his leather attire. But, there’s no doubt he loves the game and is considered quite good at it .
Justin seems to enjoy mixing up high-end, casual clothes with high-top sneakers and bling. Brands of choice for the “Baby” star include, adidas, Chanel , Dolce and Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, Lanvin, Karla Welch, Topman, Urban Outfitters, Calvin Klein (underwear) and more .
Obviously, Mr. Carter is partial to wearing Rocawear. But as his fortunes and profile have soared, the rapper has become dapper in Tom Ford, Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, and Change Clothes — his range collaboration with rapper-producer-writer Pharrell Williams.
Currently, Forbes estimates Jay Z’s wealth at $475-500 million , earning $42 million as of June this year. Bieber trails with an estimated $130 million, earning $58 million as of June, 2013.
7: Philanthropy
During his (brief) retirement, Jay Z met with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan in 2006 and pledged to use his then upcoming world tour to raise awareness of and combat global water shortage, and led to an MTV documentary on the resulting campaign. He contributed $1 million to the American Red Cross after Hurricane Katrina and continues to sponsor college scholarships for underserved students.
Bieber, no slouch in this area, recently broke the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s record becoming the first recording artist to grant 200 wishes . The singer supports Pencils of Promise, an organization that funds the building and stocking of schools in underdeveloped countries. He also lends his time and effort to the Child Hunger Ends Here Initiative and has donated money to the deprived Whitney Elementary School, food banks, and directed partial proceeds from his 2011 Christmas album and Someday fragrance to a range of charities .
It looks like Jay Z and the Bieb’s have more in common than some might think.
[ Image via Us Magazine ]