Inspired by “The Story of OJ Simpson,” Jay-Z’s song “The Story of OJ” draws attention to individuals denying their black identity or trying to elevate themselves. The music video cleverly uses old-fashioned black and white Walt Disney cartoons to convey its narrative. Within today’s society, a subconscious division exists among the black community, exemplified by debates between light-skinned and dark-skinned individuals as they grapple with their connection to either Caucasians or the black community. As a respected millionaire and entrepreneur, Jay-Z assumes a prominent leadership role in his critique of economic enslavement within the country, particularly focusing on financial practices in the black community.
The main message conveyed in this song is that it is more important to secure a lifetime of wealth rather than obtaining quick riches. For instance, in one verse, the artist expresses the significance of investing in long-term assets, stating, “you wanna know what’s more important than throwin away money at a strip club? Credit.” Furthermore, he shares his personal experience of purchasing artwork for one million dollars, which eventually increased in value to two million and then eight million dollars. This highlights his anticipation of passing down this wealth to his children and emphasizes the importance of using money to benefit others and one’s own family. Jay Z aims to make people realize that money holds little worth if it cannot be sustained and utilized to secure financial stability for future generations. He also emphasizes the importance of teaching future generations how to generate and retain wealth while continuing the cycle of prosperity.
The music video demonstrates how Walt Disney cartoons supposedly portrayed black people. Jay Z suggests that these cartoons, especially those from companies like Walt Disney, mocked black people throughout history. This allows the black audience to reflect on their historical reality. While Walt Disney and others made fun of black people, the black community faced discrimination but did not put each other down. The visuals and opening lyrics appeal to readers’ logic, emphasizing that one cannot escape their blackness or, as Jay Z puts it, being a “nigga”. He challenges the audience’s perception of different types of “niggas” and emphasizes that suggesting a way to detach oneself from being black is laughable. In one scene, cotton is depicted being processed in a cotton gin, only to reveal Ku Klux Klan members at the end. However, one member removes their hat and Jay Z appears underneath, stating “still nigga”.
This particular moment in the video holds significance as it can be linked to the O.J. Simpson dilemma. Jay-Z clearly conveys the message that even if someone is black and part of the KKK, they are still black. This builds on his earlier statement regarding O.J. Simpson and individuals who try to distance themselves from their culture. Additionally, Jay-Z may be alluding to the 1966 film “The Black Klansman,” which centers around a black man whose daughter is killed by the KKK, prompting him to infiltrate the cult and dismantle it from within. These examples serve as logical appeals, appealing to one’s reasoning and judgement. Jay-Z’s music video also showcases instances of emotional appeals (pathos). For instance, the music and tone used evoke a sense of accusation and plea.
The purpose of this mixture is to evoke both pity and a sense of empowerment in Jay-Z’s audience. The black cartoons featured in the video may remind viewers of racist imagery from the 19th century, which exaggerated the facial features of black people. Jay-Z uses these cartoons to emphasize the lines in the chorus, conveying the message that one’s success or poverty holds no significance in the eyes of racist individuals. Instead, Jay-Z repurposes the symbols of black cartoons and inferiority to convey a powerful and instructional message about the collective power that black people can possess. By wearing this metaphorical mask of cartoon and inferiority, black individuals can deceive white individuals while simultaneously uplifting themselves economically. Additionally, there are instances where credibility is appealed to.
According to Jay-Z, his own race and intellect make people more likely to believe his stories and perspectives on race in America. Additionally, his wealth and business success contribute to his credibility when discussing money in America and the music industry. Being a music icon for decades, Jay-Z incorporates references to black history in his music video to highlight the progress that still needs to be made. Despite slavery ending long ago, the black community is still financially enslaved, as emphasized in the song “The Story of OJ”. The song effectively utilizes OJ Simpson’s controversial persona to underscore the importance of financial responsibility within the culture through visual representations.
