Don’t believe the hype. Jay-Z’s publicist has denied claims that the music mogul has vowed to stop using the word “bitch” from his lyrics following the birth of his baby daughter. The Brooklyn, New York rap star, who celebrated the birth of his first child with wife Beyonce earlier this month, was rumored to have released a poem dedicated to Blue Ivy Carter in which he promises to never use the term again. Depending on who you asked, the rumor gave gossip-hounds (and journalists who didn’t bother to investigate the legitimacy of the story) “99 Problems,” as word spread from New York Magazine to the U.K.’s The Guardian.
According to The Guardian, the hoax finally died when TMZ founder Harvey Levin broke the news via spokesperson for the rapper, writing, “We just spoke with Jay-Z’s rep. The story that he won’t use the word ‘bitches’ anymore since having the baby is B.S. He never said that.” As it stands, Jay’s only major public statement about his parenthood to date comes in his newest track, “Glory.”
Though the poem was fake, might Jay-Z be influenced by the widespread reaction it provoked? Do you believe the Brooklyn MC will soften his image as his daughter grows up in front of the public’s eyes? Do we want him to?
