Jay-Z, 4:44, And Why We’re Only Giving Him A Partial-Side Eye

They say you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone. Apparently, Jay-Z was not trying to find out. Yesterday, he released his 13th studio album, ‘4:44’, and it is, they say, a perfect combination of vulnerability, accountability and honesty. For years,  Jay-Z had been the dominant personality but on June 30th, Shawn Carter- the grown ass man- emerged.

We’ve all heard the rumors of his “alleged” infidelity. And 4:44 He comes clean. He expresses regret and remorse in a way for which black women are here. Throughout ‘4:44’, he touched on his inability to come clean which sparked the  infamous 2014 Met Gala elevator beatdown by Beyonce’s fiery-spirited sister, Solange.

*Sidebar- Between my sister and I, I’m definitely the Solange although she will give a negro this work too!* 

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“You egged Solange on knowin’ all along / All you had to say, you was wrong / You almost went Eric Benét / Let the baddest girl in the world get away” (“Kill Jay Z”)”

He also acknowledged his absence because of his philandering ways during Bey’s pregnancy and later miscarriage.

“I still mourn this death, I apologize for all the stillborns / ‘Cause I wasn’t present, your body wouldn’t accept it.” (“4:44”)

As a wife, I’ve been in Beyonce’s shoes ( Read all about how I dealt with my cheating husband HERE). I lived my own version of “Lemonade” in March of this year. I am still working through it without my husband.

Even Aunty Mary has struggled in her marriage. See Kendu Isaacs– fuckboy extraordinaire and Mary J. Blige’s ex-husband who will now receive $30k per month in spousal support.

CHILE!

Jay-Z has done what many brothers will never do: ATONE. And he did it in a way that in no way blamed his wife. He took FULL RESPONSIBILITY for his misdeeds. He divulged the ugliest parts of himself to the world, and as consequence, was able to hold onto his wife and family.

He fought for the woman he loved and I hope through continued acts of accountability he heals her heart.

And even though we aren’t Beyonce, we can have faith that our own lovers will be selfless enough to leave their Jay-Z personas behind to become their own Shawn Carters.

Note from The Editor. Beyhive Member, Lisa

I want to point out  that the only thing we’re giving Jay-Z credit for, is his honesty. Coming clean seemed to work to keep their family in tact. However, I do not want to push the narrative that if your man cops to cheating it’s a good look to give it another go. We see it on every season of Love & Hip Hop, and we’re aren’t going to start co-signing on it up in here.

These two worked it out, great, And Jay-Z as an artist is also great. Jay-Z, the Husband, however, still gets a side-eye. A gentler-side eye than most, but a side-eye nonetheless.

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