Could rapper Jay-Z take over Harvey Weinstein’s role in The Weinstein Company?
Harvey Weinstein was recently fired by the film studio he founded with his brother, following the release of the groundbreaking expose which detailed his alleged rampant sexual assault history.
That means Harvey’s 23% of The Weinstein Company is up for grabs. Reports now say that Jay-Z, along with a group of close investors, are seriously thinking about making a run at it.
Jay-Z is already quite familiar with The Weinstein Company. In September 2016, he signed a two-year exclusive movie and TV deal with TWC. The partnership led to the production of a six-part docuseries based on alleged stories of mistreatment of minorities by law enforcement.
In Harvey Weinstein’s initial response to the expose report by The New York Times, he even included Jay Z lyrics to his half-assed apology.
“Jay Z wrote in 4:44 ‘I’m not the man I thought I was, and I better be that man for my children.’ The same is true for me. I want a second chance in the community, but I know I’ve got work to do to earn it. I have goals that are now priorities.”
Apparently, those lyrics do not exist in the Jay-Z song Weinstein was attempting to quote. But, at the very least, this shows that Weinstein’s relationship with Jay-Z appears to be much more intimate than simple business partners.
If Jay-Z does follow through and buy the available 23% of The Weinstein Company, there’s no doubt it would be a lucrative move for both parties.
But, would it do any good in improving Hollywood’s culture of sexual exploitation?