"First the Fat Boys break up, now every day I wake up
Somebody got a problem with Hov," – “Ain’t No Love”

As we enter 2008, Jay-Z has a whole new world of adventure before him. He’s no longer the president of Def Jam – something that artists like LL Cool J must have pumped their fist like Kirk Gibson in the '88 World Series when they caught wind of the news. As much love as he’s received by fans, the opposite can be said about those who have felt that Jay’s position at Def Jam was more status rather than being qualified. Nonetheless, the rumor mill churns about where and what Jay-Z will be doing in 2008. He’s asked what’s in store for 2008 and Jay fiddles around before reaching for a novel he’s brought into the room with him.
“One of [my New Year’s resolutions] is to read because I used to read a lot,” he states. “I was a very heavy reader and I stopped for a minute. Just to keep building on who I am and who I’ve become.”

Certainly not the answer I was looking for. Instead of giving Jay a way out, I get specific with my line of questioning about his future in music. Will he join Sony as president? Launch his own label? Continue to record albums? Or is he done with everything and looking to new business ventures? “This is supposed to be my downtime to think about the next thing and I’m over here having a conversation with you,” Jay jokes as he opens up about his future. “I’m going to try to figure that out in the next year. As far as president or being anything at that type of capacity, I only want to do it purely from a creative standpoint. That’s it. I want to figure out how to make the best music and what’s the best way to deliver the music. Other than that, it doesn’t interest me to do anything.”

The words echo off the walls of the meeting room. Does “make the best music” mean another album is on the horizon? Does “deliver the music” mean marketing, which would have to do with running a label right?
His publicist steps in and points at her watch. We’ve gone over the time limit and Shawn Carter has many more important things to do than shoot the shit with me.

Jay rises and puts on his leather jacket and expensive shades as he has to prepare for his pre-New Years concert at The Palms Hotel & Casino the next day.

Just Blaze revealed to me that he basically had no time to put together the song list and everything was spur of the moment. Regardless, it came out perfect. You couldn’t tell about the last minute organizing though, as Jay brought an amazing show featuring Ne Yo, Kanye, Memphis, Beans and Mary. That’s just how Jay-Z rolls. Just as he puts his phone in his pocket and reaches his hand out to bid me farewell, he finishes his thought.

“I don’t want to be president of RCA just to say that I’m the president of RCA. I’m not attracted to that. That’s not how my mind thinks. Like I said, whatever it is, if I’m being creative and figure out the best way to do it then that’s fantastic. Anything else? Not interested.”

And off he goes, leaving us with the thought that he’s “not interested” in anything else. Do you believe him? I’d like to believe he’s lying. I didn’t believe him when he told me back in 1996 that he would be back in Vegas and look who has egg on their face in a major way now.

The only thing that’s for sure with Jay-Z is that nothing is for sure. But whatever it is he does, you better believe that he’ll be the best at it. Anything less would be uncivilized.

"One million, two million, three million, four
In eighteen months, eighty million more
Now add that number up with the one I said before
You are now lookin' at one smart black boy
Momma ain't raised no fool
Put me anywhere on God's green earth, I'll triple my worth
Motherfucker - I, will, not, lose," - “U Don’t Know”