Jay-Z was on the Angie Martinez show today (Aug 3) on Hot97.

Jay-Z began the interview by denying the move to Columbia and stated that the rumors must have started since his contract is coming up. He hasn’t re-signed but wants to; saying he wants to see what’s out there.

As expected, Lil Wayne got brought up during the discussion.

Is the T.I. and Jay-Z joint directed at Lil Wayne? (Click to listen.)

“I wouldn’t say that. It’s really whoever wants to put their feet in those shoes. When you write lyrics, it’s almost a current event thing. That was just a sentiment out there. That was just what I was feeling … that was just a wide net. I just cast a wide net; just what I felt like saying.”

How do you feel about some of Lil Wayne’s verses? Do you catch some of that?

“I think he’s being creative. I mean what he supposed to do. Me in my position … I don’t mean this in a bad way; I’m not belittling what anyone’s tryin to do. But I’m not competing on that level.” Jay-Z responded. “I’m not competing. My mind is somewhere else right now. So that’s not what I wake up doing. I don’t wake up competing. And that is what he SHOULD be doing.”

Wayne is in a position now, people are talking about him. And you do make reference to that in this song…

“Like I said, that’s a wide net. I guess it’s a compliment to him. They put that whole weight on him. If that’s what he’s doing, he’s definitely not the only one doing it. Taking little shots and doing their little sneak or whatever. [What about the father line?] … I got a lot of kids out there.”

At this point in your career, would you engage in this kind of back and forth?

“I mean I got a lot of patience but at some point if you backed in the corner; sometimes you gotta bring out the big guns and let it go. You know, once every year; before it was everyday. Come outside, shoot the jump-shot and go back inside; to the owner’s suit. Where I belong. *laughs”

Now onto a touchy subject … you having a son. It’s been in all these magazines. A picture all over the net…

“The sad part of that is that it’s a real child involved. It’s not a mystery child. It’s a real child and they putting pictures out there … but, you know my history. I raised my nephews. I’m very family oriented person. So it just doesn’t make sense. I don’t know if it makes sense to other people out there. Of course, the people who make these rumors up are smart. So they make up this million dollar hush fund. That doesn’t make sense. That’s short. For 18 years that’s a little light! Before we go any further, cause you know people gonna start sayin ‘he didn’t say no’. That’s absolutely not true.”

What are your favorite songs right now?

“Ne-Yo, Rihanna, Fabolous … *laughs.”

What about Kanye dropping on the same day as 50 Cent?

“I think that’s very exciting. I think it’s a moment for hip hop. I think it’s great for retail. I think it’s great for the record business. I think it’s great for the buying public. I think it’s great for the internet sites who can have their debates about who’s going to win. Take bets. That would be great. To set up a betting site. Like Vegas, with odds and all that.”

Who would you bet on?

“I mean I gotta bet on the home team … I have to. I have to believe that until the numbers come in.”

How’s Kanye’s album?

“Incredible. No seriously … incredible.”

You know he [Kanye] just did this interview where he says he’s Top 5 [in the game right now]. The only two people in the game that are better than him are Lil Wayne and Andre 3000. (read more) Continued on page 2 »