Madonna’s Jewish manager has leapt to rapper Jay-Z’s defence, claiming that one of his lyrics, which has been dubbedantisemitic, has been taken out of context.

Guy Oseary, who also manages U2 and comic actress Amy Schumer, took to social media to dampen down criticisms of The Story of OJ, a song on Jay-Z’s new album, 4:44.

The controversial lyrics are: “You wanna know what's more important than throwin' away money at a strip club? Credit.

“You ever wonder why Jewish people own all the property in America? This how they did it.”

Mr Oseary, who was born in Israel, posted a photo of himself with Beyonce’s husband on Instagram, together with his detailed interpretation of the song.

He wrote: “If you read the lyrics out of context I can understand why people are jumping to that conclusion. But if you listen to the song in its entirety you will hear that the whole of the song is based on exaggerated stereotypes to make a point.”

 

I've received a few messages from friends wondering why Jay-Z is putting out anti-semitic lyrics in his new song "The Story Of O.J." ... If you read the lyrics out of context I can understand why people are jumping to that conclusion.. But if you listen to the song in its entirety you will hear that the whole of the song is based on exaggerated stereotypes to make a point.. There are African American stereotypes throughout the song.. The music video directed by @markromanek and Jay is entirely full of exaggerated stereotype imagery of African Americans.. Jewish people do NOT "own all the property in America". Jay knows this.. But hes attempting to use the jewish people in an exaggerated way to showcase a community of people that are thought to have made wise business decisions.. As an example of what is possible and achievable.. Yes, the "rich jew" the "business jew" the "jew that owns the world" is a stereotype which has been repeatedly used with the wrong sentiment.. meant only to harm the Jewish people. Perpetuating the absurdity that jews are taking over the world.. Fact: There are 7.5 billion people in the world.. Only 14 million of them are jews.. Thats 0.2 percent of the worlds population.. In my opinion, Jay is giving the jewish community a compliment.. " Financial freedom" he mentions as being his ONLY hope.. If you had to pick a community as an example of making wise financial decisions achieving financial freedom who would you choose?.. Im not offended by these lyrics.. I hear them the way he inteded them to be heard.. Giving "credit" to a community that supposedly understands what it means to have "credit".. I'm good with that.. 🙌🏽✡️

A post shared by Guy Oseary (@guyoseary) on Jul 1, 2017 at 11:43am PDT

Mr Oseary, who is the author of a book entitled Jews Who Rock, points out that the video is “full of exaggerated stereotype imagery of African Americans” and adds: “Jewish people do NOT ‘own all the property in America’. Jay knows this. But he’s attempting to use the Jewish people in an exaggerated way to showcase a community of people that are thought to have made wise business decisions.”

He concludes: “In my opinion, Jay is giving the Jewish community a compliment.

“If you had to pick a community as an example of making wise financial decisions achieving financial freedom who would you choose? I’m not offended by these lyrics. I hear them the way he intended them to be heard. Giving ‘credit’ to a community that supposedly understands what it means to have ‘credit’. I'm good with that.”

Also coming out in defence of Jay-Z was Russell Simmons, a successful businessman and fellow hip hop icon.

I am the Chairman of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding (@FFEUnyc) and my job for the past 20 years or so is to point out the...

— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) July 4, 2017

From music to film, television, fashion, technology + financial services, the hip-hop community including myself have partnered with Jews...

— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) July 4, 2017

The wasps and other ethnicities didn't lift a finger. It was blacks and Jews creating new opportunity and new wealth.

— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) July 4, 2017

He added: “The fact is this culture that promotes good business and financial wellbeing is and has been a guiding light to the black and specifically the hip-hop community.”