When Jay-Z put Stephen A. Smith in his place for pitting his wife against his protégé.

Jay-Z is one of the biggest artists in the music industry at present. The American rapper has shattered the glass ceiling several times in his career as a musician. Not only is he an incredible rapper, but he is also known to not sit quietly when someone disrespects his family.

This was the case when sports commentator Stephen A. Smith unfairly compared Rihanna and Beyoncé. The Empire State of Mind singer spoke up and put Smith in his place for pitting his wife against Rihanna.
The rapper put Stephen A. Smith in his place (Source: Dirt Off Your Shoulder)

Jay-Z speaks up after unfair comparisons between his wife and Rihanna

Beyoncé is one of the most renowned pop singers around the globe. With her immaculate singing skills, Queen Bey, as she is popularly known, has won the adoration of fans. She has the unique ability to invigorate and melt hearts with her voice alone, causing Rolling Stone to name her one of the greatest artists of all time.

The singer is a powerhouse performer and has been married to Jay-Z since 2008. Not only has she broken records with her albums, but she has delivered iconic performances over the years, including the half-time show at the Super Bowl.
The singer is a powerhouse performer (Source: Instagram, @beyonce)
The pop singer is one of a kind. This is why, when Rihanna had to perform during the half-time show at the sporting event last year, Stephen A. Smith felt that the Diamonds singer did not hold a candle to the 32-time Grammy award winner.

Smith’s comment did not sit well with Jay-Z, who came to his wife’s and protege’s defense. The commentator recalled the conversation he had with the rapper on Connect the Dots podcast.

“A month later, Hov and I were on the phone. Hov was like, ‘My dawg, you family, that’s family. That’s too close to say that.’ I said, ‘I didn’t know.’ He said, ‘I know.’ Done! In other words, it’s a business, it’s a part of it, you don’t know how she’ll receive it, etc. etc. etc. That’s all he had to say. I appreciated that,” he said.

The rapper is an outspoken artist, particularly when it concerns his family and friends. He has a special relationship with the Umbrella singer, therefore, his coming to her defense is not surprising.

Jay-Z helped launch Rihanna’s career

The rapper is an exceptional artist, but his talents are not just limited to the field of music. He is a businessman, and he owns the record label Roc Nation. The Run This Town singer has helped launch the careers of many talented artists, including Riri’s.

The two artists have known each other since 2004, when the Don’t Stop the Music singer was in the nascent stage of her career. The rapper was the president of Def Jam Recordings at the time.

In an interview with The Guardian, the singer from Barbados recalled that she was quite confident until she had to meet him face-to-face. “I was like: “Oh God, he’s right there, I can’t look, I can’t look, I can’t look!” she said.
The singer had Jay-Z’s help to launch her career (Source: Instagram, @badgirlriri)
Both of them have weathered a lot of storms in their life and careers. There were rumors of an alleged relationship between them, which contributed to Riri’s boost in fame. However, they were just rumors, used to promote her first single.

Regardless of the rumors and personal relationships, all three artists have left their mark in the music industry. The trio are loved by fans all over the globe.