Beyoncé and Jay-Z

Both Beyoncé and Jay-Z have been in the music industry for well over twenty years now. They both had a childhood surrounded by music, which may have had an impact on what profession they chose to work in years later. They are both well-known artist to today’s generation as well as others. Some individuals may look at the two and think they have more similarities than differences, but some individual may say otherwise. Two totally different artists will have more differences than similarities. Most artist try to have a unique style about their selves, therefore they usually have more differences. Growing up as a child Beyoncé’s future was already planned to become an artist. Jay-Z on the other hand kind of grew into music, as one might say. Beyoncé and Jay-Z are both multimillionaires, but they differ in Music Genres, Musical Influences and Business ventures. Hip-hop is a popular music genre that both Beyoncé and Jay-Z have in common. They have both worked on Hip-hop soundtracks for movie purposes. The two artists have even worked together on a few Hip-hop songs, “Bonnie & Clyde”, one of the most popular tracks. Hip-hop is the only type of music that Jay-Z works with.

He produces music for himself and other Hip-hop artist. Beyoncé on the other hand, seems to work with quite a few different types of music genres. The songstress is known for making back to back hits in her most popular music genre, “Rhythm and Blues”. This is known to be the first genre she started working with when her career was just beginning to elevate. Beyoncé later went on to work with different artists, collaborated and made songs for the Pop and Soul industries. Beyoncé states, “(Crazy in Love) was another one of those classic moments in pop culture that none of us expected. I asked Jay to get on the song the night before I had to turn my album in, thank God he did. It still never gets old, no matter how many times I sing it.” The songstress reflects on her musical style and the impact it has had on her life and pop culture during her Billboard Cover story in 2011. (1) The types of music that both artists create is mearly a reflection of their own musical influences. Beyoncé’s most important musical influences are Michael Jackson, Diana Ross and Whitney Houston. Beyoncé says this about Diana Ross “she’s an all-around entertainer: a great actor, a good singer, and a beautiful, elegant woman.

She’s one of the few singers able to cross over into really good movies.” (2) According to Beyoncé Ms. Houston “inspired her to get up there and do what she did.” (3) Jay-Z’s most important musical influences are Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway. He says “I grew up around music, listening to all types of people… I’m into music that has soul in it, whether it be rap, R&B, pop music, whatever. As long as I can feel their soul through the wax, that’s what I really listen to.” (4) He often uses excerpts from these artists as samples in his work, particularly in the Kanye West productions included on The Blueprint. (5) Both artists base the majority of their work off of their musical influences. As far as business ventures, both artists have clothing lines. Beyoncé has The House of Dereon which was launched in 2005. Jay-Z has a clothing line named Rocawear which was established in 1999.Clothing lines may be a business venture that the two may have in common, but they have many other different ventures as well. Beyoncé’s business ventures include the following: Her own fragrance line, Commercials and films. She launched her first fragrance, “Heat” in February 2010.

Exactly one year later, February 2011, she released her second fragrance, “Heat Rush”. Later that year in September she launched her latest and final fragrance, “Pulse”.(6) She has acted in several movies, including Carmen: A Hip Hopera (2001), Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002), The Fighting Temptations (2003), The Pink Panther (2006), Dreamgirls (2006), Cadillac Records (2008), Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!: Wubb Idol (2009) and Obsessed (2009). She is currently working on two more films, Epic and A Star is Born, to be released in 2013. Jay-Z also has large business ventures as well, which include the following: He has his own record label and is the co-owner of the Brooklyn Nets and a local sports bar. Jay-Z serves as co-brand director for Budweiser Select and collaborates with the company on strategic marketing programs and creative ad development. He provides direction on brand programs and ads that appear on TV, radio, print, and high-profile events. (7) An English idiom states one should, “Never judge a book by its cover”. With the new informative knowledge you have learned in this particular document, would you say the two artists have more similarities or differences? Majority of people might argue now that these particular artists have more differences than anything else.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z may have more than a few things in common, but facts have proven they have more differences than similarities. Both artists reached their millions in more than a few different ways. As I stated earlier, Beyoncé and Jay-Z are both multimillionaires, but they do differ in musical genres, musical influences and business ventures. Personal opinions state that both artists will continue to influence the music industry with great beats and vocals. They will continue to create and deliver extra ordinary products to the general public. Creating more music, acting in films, producing beautiful fragrances and excepting endorsements will be only a few of the many things Beyoncé will do in order to continue earning her millions of dollars every year.

Being an entrepreneur, Jay-Z will continue to produce music in his own studios. He will continue to add new artist to his record label. Manufacturing more clothes, releasing new hit records and manage the many companies he has. This will keep them at their millionaire stages in their lives. Many people tend to have a closed mind about certain topics, especially concerning to the entertainment industry. Just because certain people have a similar everyday lifestyle does not mean they have that many things in common. This has simply been proven many times in different ways, but some people need to read and acknowledge facts before they believe this theory.

References-

(1) “Beyoncé: The Billboard Music Awards Q&A”. Retrieved July 16, 2012 (2) Watson, Margeaux (August 29, 2006). “Influences: Beyoncé”. Entertainment Weekly (Time Inc). Archived from the original (3) Caldwell, Rebecca (July 21, 2001). “Destiny’s Child”. The Globe and Mail. (Phillip Crawley). page R1. (4) Anderson, Kyle (August 24, 2009). “A Young Jay-Z Describes His Early Influences”. MTV News. Retrieved July 16, 2012 (5) Anderson, Kyle (August 24, 2009). “A Young Jay-Z Describes His Early Influences”. MTV News. Retrieved July 16, 2012 (6) “Coty Beauty
Introduces Beyoncé Pulse” (Press release). PR Newswire. June 16, 2011. (7) http://www.allhiphop.com/Hiphopnews/index.asp?ID=6279