In “So Applauded” Jay-Z ask says and ask:
I went from the favorite to the most hated
or would you rather be underpaid or over-rated?
moral victories is for minor league coaches
and ‘Ye already told you “We Major” you cockroaches
That made me stop and ask myself, which would I rather be? Well it didnt take too much time for me to decide that id rather be rich and over-rated. Why? Because if youre over-rated then youre automatically being over paid for whatever youre doing. Not only that, but nobody becomes over rated on accident. At some point you were everyones favorite, you were where getting recognition because “you deserve it”. Youve heard some one say that before, im sure. “Oh I want so and so to win because they deserve it.” “They dont ever get pub, so Im glad to see them on tv.” Dumb shit like that. People who say things like this are the same assholes who believe you can win too much. Fuck the fact that you worked hard to win so much. Fuck what you went through to win so much.. or to be over-rated, because being over-rated doesnt come easy at all. Everybody who’s over-rated, went through a bunch of shit to get to that point.
Take Jay-Z for instance, a lot of people say he’s over-rated. But what did he go through to get to that point? Nobody signed this man to a deal. So he had to go through not only the pain of being rejected by every one. But have the stones to pick himself up, hustle up the money to start his own company and then work day and night, 7 days a week to make it into a successful company. Not only turn the company into a success, but out last a lot of other record labels and climb his way to number 1. Everybody loves Jay-Z’s first few albums. Now? All people have to say is, he’s biting biggies lyrics or he talks about the same shit all the time… or whatever other bullshit other people say.
Even if you dont deserve your over-rated stature. Even if you truly are over-rated. Youre going to cash out at some point. Youre going to get paid for being over-rated. Over paid and over rated go hand in hand. This is America, thats how its suppose to work! Even if youre not that good and you truly are over rated. You did SOME work to get to that point. This is America, nobody complains about being over-paid. Being over-paid is the American dream! lol So either way, you win!! Lets say Jay-Z has spent the last 10+ years being over-rated. These days, he owns part of the nets. If that were me? And some one called me over-rated, Im letting them know all about how I own part of the new jersey nets and ending my point with three little words “Now Fuck Off..”
On the other hand, you have being underpaid and broke. Working hard to perfect your craft. Your struggling, shits hard out there for you. Youre not getting the recognition you deserve and on top of all that, youre broke. Does that sound fun to you? If it does… hey, whatever floats your boat. Even if you would still rather be under rated and underpaid, than take money and fame that you dont deserve.. There are a bunch of starving artist out there. Somebody has to do it. And hey, I support you for taking that on. Because with out you being under paid, I couldnt be over-rated and paid. HA! lol
You can say “mo money mo problems” all you want. But, Ive been broke, it sucks. And, if somebody hands you more money than you think you should earn, are you going to give it back and tell that person you dont deserve it? No…. youre not.
Message.