Jay-Z’s Rare Interview with Gayle King Revealed: Oprah Initially Skeptical, but Persistence Prevailed
Renowned rapper Jay-Z recently granted a rare interview to Gayle King and CBS News at his Book of HOV exhibit last month. However, media mogul Oprah Winfrey initially doubted the possibility of securing the elusive interview.
In an interview with Access Hollywood in Las Vegas, Gayle King disclosed that Oprah Winfrey had advised her to stop pursuing Jay-Z, convinced that he wasn’t interested in participating. King, undeterred by the scepticism, persisted in her efforts.
“Even Oprah said, ‘You’re making a damn fool of yourself! Stop asking him. He doesn’t want to do it.’,” King shared. “But I couldn’t let it go because he never said, ‘No, no, no.’ He just kept delaying, delaying, delaying.”
Despite the challenges, King’s determination paid off, and Jay-Z eventually agreed to the interview. “Oprah said, ‘He’s being polite because he doesn’t want to tell you, ‘No.’ I kept coming back. I don’t know why he said yes or why he changed his mind, but I’m forever grateful,” King added.
Reflecting on the experience, Gayle King expressed her gratitude for the interview, considering Jay-Z’s reluctance to engage in such conversations. “I’m still floating from that interview honestly. I was really buzzing after because you don’t know, and you know he doesn’t like to do interviews,” she stated.
While King appreciated the opportunity, not everyone shared the sentiment. Rapper N.O.R.E. expressed disappointment, suggesting that Jay-Z should engage with platforms that represent cultural staples, such as his Drink Champs podcast or Joe Budden’s podcast.
“I love JAY-Z,” N.O.R.E. shared. “He sat down with Gayle King, it’s a great relationship … would I rather him sit with the People’s Party? Would I rather him sit with Joe Budden’s podcast or Drink Champs or Million Dollaz Worth of Game? Of course.”
He emphasized the significance of ownership in the podcasting space, indicating a preference for cultural platforms that contribute to community ownership.
