‘Time Out New York’ Names Jay-Z Top 40 New Yorker

September 26th, 2008 | Posted in Magazines | Print This Article

magazines Time Out New York Names Jay-Z Top 40 New Yorker

Time Out New York magazine has named hip-hop mogul Jay-Z one of its “New York 40″ for its 40th anniversary issue, which honors New Yorkers who have made a positive impact on the city.

The magazine asked the Brooklyn-born MC about other potential selections, such as Nas and Kanye West, for the exclusive list. Here’s what he said:

You’re the only rapper on this list. We were considering Nas but have this 13-year rule: People on this list had to have had an impact in the last 13 years. And Illmatic was 1994. Should we have included him?
Ah, wow! [Laughs] That’s a tough question. [Pauses] Yeah, only because of the impact of that album, when it’s considered one of the best albums ever created, you have to document that.

How about Kanye? Has he earned it yet?
He’s from Chicago, but he’s close. I don’t know if he’s had that one album that’s moved the entire culture, but he’s hit it three times in a row. He’ll be on every list one day.

Why is Jay-Z hating on Nas and Kanye West? You be the judge! The interview is in the September 25th issue of Time Out New York magazine on newsstands now.