Jay Z says cancel culture is here to stay and feels sorry for younger generation: ‘It’s unbelievable’

Jay Z has shared his thoughts on the internet’s cancel culture and predicts it’ll be around as long as social media exists. 

The Big Pimpin’ rapper isn’t exactly known for being the most active social media user – he seems to only have a Twitter account which he barely uses – however, he has some wise thoughts on the culture of it all. 

Cancel culture has been discussed increasingly in recent years – it involves large groups or fandoms deciding to essentially erase a celebrity or public figure’s career and public prominence in light of a scandal or controversial issue. 

When asked if he thinks cancel culture would fizzle out any time soon, Jay Z, 51, replied to The Sunday Times Style with a firm: ‘Er, no!’ 

The rapper then explained how he feels sorry for the younger generation growing up in the social media era, explaining: ‘You can’t give someone a microphone for 24 hours a day and [have them] not think they have to use it! 

‘These kids, it’s unbelievable. Imagine having a microphone and you’re asked about social justice questions at 18 years old? 

‘It’s like, “What? I’m meant to know the answer, and if I don’t answer the correct way, if I don’t say everything right, even if my intentions are right, and I don’t say the same right thing, it’s going to be everywhere”.’ 

Jay Z also said it was unlikely he would have used social media more if it were around when he was in his roaring 20s. 

The Grammy-winning posted his most recent tweet on March 4 to announce that he was selling his majority stake in streaming platform Tidal to Twitter founder Jack Dorsey’s company Square. 

His last tweets before that were in 2018 to clarify a controversial line on his 4:44 album. 

Jay Z also opened up about how his family life has changed in the coronavirus pandemic, and made him realise that he would rather give his children love than his billion-dollar business empire. 

The hip hop mogul is married to music superstar Beyonce and together, they share three children; Blue Ivy, nine, and three-year-old twins Rumi and Sir. 

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