Jay-Z Speaks on Lil Wayne, Kanye, Kids & More!

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 hasnt re-signed but wants to; saying he wants to see whats 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 wouldnt say that. Its really whoever wants to put their feet in those shoes. When you write lyrics, its 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 Waynes verses? Do you catch some of that?

I think hes being creative. I mean what he supposed to do. Me in my position I dont mean this in a bad way; Im not belittling what anyones tryin to do. But Im not competing on that level. Jay-Z responded. Im not competing. My mind is somewhere else right now. So thats not what I wake up doing. I dont 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, thats a wide net. I guess its a compliment to him. They put that whole weight on him. If thats what hes doing, hes 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 owners suit. Where I belong. *laughs

Now onto a touchy subject you having a son. Its been in all these magazines. A picture all over the net

The sad part of that is that its a real child involved. Its not a mystery child. Its a real child and they putting pictures out there but, you know my history. I raised my nephews. Im very family oriented person. So it just doesnt make sense. I dont 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 doesnt make sense. Thats short. For 18 years thats a little light! Before we go any further, cause you know people gonna start sayin he didnt say no. Thats 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 thats very exciting. I think its a moment for hip hop. I think its great for retail. I think its great for the record business. I think its great for the buying public. I think its great for the internet sites who can have their debates about whos 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.

Hows Kanyes album?

Incredible. No seriously incredible.

You know he [Kanye] just did this interview where he says hes 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)

"Man Im gonna body slam him when I see him. What is his problem. Nah, I heard about that and how they [MTV] did that now list. I spoke to the kid from MTV. What you should of did was have the people now. Because I dont think I belong on the list. I believe Fabolous belongs on that list Rick Ross. Other people belong on that list. It shouldve been split up for now like REALLY now.

Do you ever miss being THAT dude? Being the hottest rapper in the game? Or do you still feel you are?

Well until somebody makes a album better than Reasonable Doubt. I still think Im the number one shotta! Or Blueprint, how about that. In my mind. Everybody uses different things to tally up the way they come to their conclusion. My conclusion, in my mind til someone makes a better album than Reasonable Doubt or Blueprint then Im the top shotta. I really believe Im the best ever. Im at least in the argument. Im arguing with Big and Pac, Im not really taking it from no one else.

So whats the evolution of Jay? Whats gonna happen next?

Umm, I mean Ive been looking into hotels. The hotel/casino thing, thats of interest. On some Ocean 13 movement. Ive got two hotels Im building right now, in the city. Not casinos, just hotels. I think Im gonna name one of the hotels The Marcy. Im creative you know. I used to write for a living.

What are you doing with Bill Clinton and Bono?

I cant really say the details. At the end of the day its like a charitable thing. I want to tie in that I Will Not Lose campaign that were doing with Roc-A-Wear now. I want it to be a thing that lives outside the campaign. Cause everybody complain about what cant happen. Or they cant do this, they cant do that. Give people a chance to tell their story of why they wont lose. Instead of complaining about losing its a website now, for the campaign. You can submit your story, were gonna pick the winners and we gonna help them out. Thats just for the campaign. Im trying to make it a worldwide thing!

To listen to the entire interview, check out our audio section.