Appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher JAY-Z (Ft. Alexis Goldstein, Barney Frank, Bill Maher & Josh Barro)

[Bill Maher]
I very often think about you and the Beatles, not because the music sounds alike, but because they were real envelope-pushers, you know, they were always about what's next, telling the audience. They were not afraid to be ahead of their audience, and I feel like that's what you try to do. I mean, this album is a lot about arts, and things that kids not necessarily would be interested in.

[Jay Z]
The the truth is, as far as hip-hop and the arts, we were like cousins, you know. If you think about those days with Fab Five Freddy was with Madonna and Basquiat and everything. You know, we all went to those clubs--that’s when hip hop was more underground. The arts and hip-hop really partied together, but when arts started becoming part of the gallery it was this separation. But we pretty much came up together.

[Maher]
You have a song on your record called “Tom Ford.” I'm sure some people are thinking, why is he on some white, gay designer’s dick? What’s going on there?

[Jay Z]
Pause.

Let me clarify that: I am not...[Laughs]

[Maher]
I meant that metaphorically. But the line that I think says alot, you say, “I don’t pop molly, I rock Tom Ford.” You know, everybody else is talking about doing ecstasy, and you’re, “I don’t do that; I get shit done. I’m in business.”

[Jay Z]
Man, I’m just gonna take you around with me--

[Maher]
To explain your shit?

[Jay Z]
Yeah. Thank you. Thank you, sir.