To some, Jay Z is a rapper and business mogul to others, he is a hero. He changed the lives of many when he built a water pipeline and well for some villages in Africa. “The Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life” 2006 documentary which aired on MTV unveiled Jay-Z trip to Africa, his visit reminded him of his early life in the Brooklyn projects and realised quickly that the slum in Angola was a different ball game. Jay Z with the real name Shawn Carter was shocked to learn that some children had to walk six miles just to get water.
“In my business, we like to say we’re from the hood,” But “We’re not in the hood. By no means. Not even close.” Jay-Z stated. The documentary sees Jay-Z helping a schoolgirl in Angola with a 20-liter container of water to her one-room shed, where she live with her family of six. Jay-Z is also seen to have followed the girl, Bela, to school as they pasted open sewers, and watched teenagers retrieve a basketball from a dirty water, “You can’t even take a deep breath,” he stated.
The iconic rapper and business mogul’s documentary is in partnership with the United Nations and MTV and aimed at getting young people involved in the world’s water crisis. The water crisis is a topic dear to Jay-Z’s heart “because it’s the most basic need.” he said. According to report, 1.1 billion people have no access to clean drinking water, and more than 4,000 children die every day from diseases from dirty water.
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Jay-Z witnessed children living without clean water and left a lasting effect on him. Determined to make a difference, he spent millions of dollars to build a pipeline and well which supplies three different villages to this day. In doing so, Jay-Z became a hero to many people who no longer have to worry about where their next drink will come from. As a result of Jay Z’s generosity, the village could focus on actually living and have a brighter future ahead.
“So many people that I’ve seen can’t get clean water. It’s a crime,” he concluded “I’m on a mission, and I will not forget.”. Jay Z spent millions of dollars to build 10 water pumps which supplies 3 different villages to this day. His act of kindness has made a huge difference in the lives of those communities.
Jay Z has continued to show his generosity and compassion by donating the proceeds from his concert in New York to Water for Life. In 2021, Jay-Z and his wife Beyonce donated to Kwame Nkrumah’s Alma mater, Lincoln University And HBCUs. This act of heroism has brought clean water to many people who desperately need it.
