MAGA Lies Debunked: Jay-Z's 'What's Free' Verse Decoded By Ari Melber On MSNBC
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- As the U.S. faces rising hate crimes, political violence and renewed debates over confronting its history of discrimination, MSNBC anchor and music obsessive Ari Melber reports on the roots of American capitalism, drawing on a poem/verse by Jay-Z on the Meek Mill song, “What’s Free,” marking its fourth anniversary. Melber reports on and interprets the verse within its poetic and historical context, from Jay-Z's juxtaposition of the National Anthem and Thanksgiving with American slavery, the 3/5's compromise and genocide; to the legal and political structures driving real estate property, intellectual property, equity, ownership and inequality in U.S. capitalism and labor markets; to the implications of racism and housing policies across generational wealth.
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#HovDid #MeekMill #Lebron
I appreciate the fact that Ari is calling it poetry... it is
please school yourself in poetry,...making up words that rhyme is not poetry
@@michaelaldan6969 And please school yourself on the definition of poetry. It means:
"literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm; poems collectively or as a genre of literature."
You're welcome.
Of course, rap music is not just poetry. It's coveted poetry!
How gave pig knowing Pigs are not good for Abrahamic people ?
Who are the executives?
YE was right! And everyone knows it… this is defection’s
@@lady.leo12 I dislike it but it is poetry.
One part of me believes this video ranks amongst the top greatest videos I've ever watched. The other part of me feels like, in the black community, we've been aware of all this since we were playing ball at recess. None the less MSNBC thank you very much for this work.
😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 how much do you get paid to say this, or are you just another bot?
@@TheChopf26 geez my guy! Is it too hard to believe a person could appreciate good work? Aside from that I would never discuss my finances on such a public platform. You should just worry about your pockets & not anyone else.
@@hotaugust0607 yeah no its very easy to see you're doing nothing but pushing propaganda faking support for this ridiculous and failing media. How many accounts do you use to post this bs from? 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@TheChopf26 ohh I get it, you must be from the other side. Well come on in my guy and fix a plate 🙂 we know how to break bread with our neighbors, not start a civil war. Anyhow when you’re done eating “don’t let the door hit ya.” 😁✌️
@@hotaugust0607 "other side" "your side" what are you even talking about, what "side" do you think Im on? 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Are you even an American? 😂😂😂😂
Always enjoyed Ari . But he has taken it to another level now! RESPECT!
Agreed, wonder how long we have to wait for him to explain the plight of the Palestinians?
@@sallymarvin5981 you don’t watch him if you believe he hasn’t.
Thanks, Ari. As a Hispanic youth in LA in the 40s and 50s, I knew this intuitively. Now at 83 it's good to hear it so clearly presented.
Bless you 83
This is officially one of my favorite segments in 2022! You killed this Ari and team. My respect level for Jay Z is off the charts now. That man is really onto some next level stuff. ❤
😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 these bots are hard at work.
@@TheChopf26 hard at work troll...😂😂😂
@@TheChopf26 the bot is more likely the poster making the same reply on multiple comments. Copy/paste is so easy to do, it doesn't require any thoughts.
@@Gretabpooh you're not too bright if you think I've copy and pasted anything....
@@TheChopf26 When you see the same words and emojis in reply to multiple comments, with no other explanation, it is a canned parrot answer.
Thanks for the explanation, Ari! I am a pretty clueless, white/Cherokee person who does not get all the references. Thanks also for pointing out the hypocrisy of Thanksgiving and the continued mistreatment of indigenous people. It is so disturbing what has been done to “non-whites” in this country.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Say it Louder!
I'm not sure the people in the back heard that ✊🏾
What Band of the Cherokee Nation are you documented with?
@@reneemallicone4770 If I had been you, I wouldn't have SHOUTED my STUPIDITY so loud in a WORLD WIDE FORUM..
@reneemaricon
SEE HOW IGNORANT THIS MAGAT IS????????????
I remember when I first listened to this song and I was blown away . The explanation Ari just gave blew me away even more .
Thank you Ari for explaining our culture and our music so eloquently. Thank you for making these connections for others who don't understand or don't WANT to understand. You are appreciated. Jay-z is an amazing mind!
Thank you, Ari, and especially to Jay-Z. Very deep and important, sharing this.
When you see Ari doing something like this it makes you realise how rare it is to see.
What a brilliant soul. Bless him and the ones he loves. Thanks. Ari, thus was great!
I love that you refer to Jayz lyrics as poems, because they really are 🤍
Lol
An excellent piece. I wish most Americans will listen and watch this segment .Thank You
I love the way he broke it down piece by piece.. Gives a better understanding of the song..
😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 these bots are hilarious.
The problem is that most Americans would just have a knee jerk, defensive reaction and wouldn't get it. Such a disgrace.
They are not ready for the truth.
Wow!!! This was beyond excellent!! I never knew! Mad Respect for Jay-Z 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I learned alot here. Thank you Ari and Jay-Z. I had no freaking idea about many facts you presented today.
Amen.
Kudos for Ari to speak out the God's honest truth about Uncle Sam's atrocious history of dissing the oppressed/unfree, and covering it up with alot pf patriotic propaganda. I appreciate how Ari, as a priviledged white guy, sometimes will speak for artists. And to top if off, he interprets poetry like a true, ardent afficionado.
this video just covered all the crt stuff that the right keeps wanting to ban like the snowflakes they are
Well said!!
Why should my comments be any less repetitious than the google's offensive and unstoppable ads?
Only one question for UA-cam:
Does anyone really think more frequent and more offensive ads can lead to profit?
I'm beginning to think that Ari is a brother from another mother. I haven't listened continuously to secular music for 40 years, so I really appreciate Ari breaking this down for us. This isn't the first time he's intermingled regular news with some hip-hop on the side.
Ari, you did this right. Thank you sir for explaining this living history, nuance, artistry. Continue. Please continue.
God I just love how much Ari loves hip-hop culture and has a passion to learn about it and appreciate it.😊
😂😂😂
@@TheChopf26 Another jealous, miserable troll.
@@77Creation 😂😂😂😂 looks you're mad that I called out the bots.....
@@TheChopf26 You're the only one who looks like a trollbot here.
Right!?!!?! Every episode he dropping lyrics… if you listening
You know Jay Z is absolutely right! I have always looked at Thanksgiving as a time to be thankful but the reality is we should be thankful every day and Thanksgiving did start with the beginnings of genocide for Native Americans so I don’t think I’ll be celebrating that anymore
It's a celebration to eat, eat alot, and eat even more. It gives people an excuse to flirt with gluttony and others to eat the little have which is not a vast selection of turkey, ham, salads, casseroles, pies and alcohol.
You just now figured that out huh . I bet you know nothing of native Americans at all . Only black people were ever done wrong in the world.
I'll be celebrating Thanksgiving for decades to comes.
And Thanksgiving started with the pilgrims and Indians giving thanks after the harvest
@@schievelbeinschievelbein4564 m2 !! My wife is Cherokee Indian. She loves thanksgiving even though the white man bad !! That’s me
@@schievelbeinschievelbein4564 You need to take your head out that hole of sand and clear the cobwebs from the corners of your mind if this comment you wrote is genuine and not just put up for looking stupid, which is does if you did.
Once again speaking truth to the people who walk around with eyes wide shut. One day soon the sleepers will awaken thank you Ari
Applauding you bringing the truth. Hypocritical lie. I love this poem
Jay Z is most definitely a great poet of today. He speaks for not just black Americans but also disadvantaged people in general. He definitely has my Respect ✊. Good stuff. It’s so good to see some mainstream media talking about this stuff. It’s real and it’s painful 😣. Life for many is so difficult 😞 and it doesn’t have to be this way.
Mind blown! Not because of the history but at the skills of Jay'Z and how he made American history into American reality! I'm impressed!
MSNBC, Ari gives the best brake down of analogies to give strong point of views,it is so appreciated 👏
How much do you get paid to say this laughable nonsense? 😂😂😂😂😂
I recently learned that there are a lot of Hispanic and Black maga, but it isn’t really covered on elite MSM. And actually, what’s wrong with wanting to make America great again? The millions of people that have crossed the border under Biden aren’t doing it because America is a messed up or racist nation. They are doing it for a better life. So why are so many Americans these days so brainwashed by the elite MSM into bashing America or anyone who loves her? Perhaps the real problem is that too many Americans don’t travel internationally? For the haters, might I suggest that they travel to communist china and stay for a while, until it all sinks in? You don’t miss what you’ve got - until it’s gone. Lol
Break down
They left out the CRACK DEALER part of this JayZ story!!!
You noticed it too! Ari mentioned Bun-B's lyrics one night I almost choked on my Fruit Loops.
Ari, you may be a white man in mainstream media, but you ARE a part of "the culture". Not for this video alone. For EVERY video he puts out he gives recognition to "the culture*. No one is obligated to believe in my words. Just listen to the man speak....
You aren't lying. I'm not part of the culture but I've been in it before, and I recognize it
Nice.🙄
😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 look at the bots hard at work
Truth is truth no matter who states it. The problem with some people's "truth" is that their true excludes other people's true and thus hypocrisy takes the place of actual truth because of isolation, ignorance, fear, insecurity, self-centeredness and greed.
What culture are you talking about?
Dam Ari I’m 54yr old and that was deep ! My hats off to Jay-Z on a perfect statement!! 😊 , !!
Ari, you broke the mold.
Ari, you lay it out clean. Love you for bringing clarity to those who just don't get it. We all gotta Fight the Power.
😂😂😂😂😂
Thanks Ari for bringing your love of music into present times.
Can’t give this enough thumbs up. This may be your best work yet, Ari Melber. Keep it coming.
I love how he always uses Jay for reference lol
Refreshing to see this on a US network! Thank you
Dude I have to give you, you be on point! You listen to our story tellers with the ears of a truth whisperer...Respect
Ari: I don't listen to RAP music but this breakdown of what Jay Z newest album was very stimulating, and only you can break it down and make it so simply. Preach, Ari, preach! I'd rather be hurt by hearing the truth than living a big fat, whitewashed lie--Alas!
Great commentary, Ari. Your anti racist reporting is wonderful and educational. Thank you. 🙏🏽❤️
And they HATE him for it! There is a guy at my job that literally starts foaming at the mouth about Ari.
@@rasheedjamal9091 why are people so hateful? Why ? I’m sorry you have to experience this.
Thank you Ari for sharing this "truth"... and we gave such hate for the kneeling; I shall always kneel when anyone tries to sing it as originally written!
Issues Ari his permanent hood pass. 😎👍
😂😂😂😂
He had Fab Five Freddy and the sisters of Jean-Michel Basquiat on this week.
PERMANENT 💯💯💯💯
I suspect he got that back at Garfield HS.
@@michaelrmurphy2734 true story. My middle "art" sister (photography) was a club kid in the 80's in NYC. Basquiat and Keith Haring used to come by the house in Flatbush to hang with her. I didn't even realize who they were til way after the fact. ☺️
I LOVE how Ari is breaking down that Jay-Z poem/verse like he was defending a dissertation in Literature class! 😁
Well said bro, piece by piece he explained the context of its meaning because the lyrics itself is a little bit complex. You nailed it right
Ari from the heart I appreciate what you're trying to do here, but a large majority of white America either ain't trying to hear this, ain't ready to hear this or simply believe it's not true? How do we reach them? I don't know.
A large number of Americans can't name the four DNA bases. We live in the "world of ten thousand things." It depends on what you're interested in.
I'm a 63 Y.O white male, and I don't have a clue why anyone would not face the truth either. Facts are facts are facts and you can't make things go away by burying your head in your...in the sand.. .I don't know how to reach deniers. I wish I had answers to this also.
@@aurora_occidentalis2248 4 DNA bases? Well, crap. Now I gotta do research. I've not paid as much attention to genetics. I prefer astrophysics.
@@happyhermit8174 well said.....well said!
@@happyhermit8174 What's this suppressed "truth" that is being denied? Enlighten us, porfa.
Wow! Ari is a gem! I never got Jay-zee before. He's deep.
Thank you Ari. As a 79 year old English man I neveer understood or appreciateed Rap as music but now you've explained that it is poetry I get it. I'll possibly never accept it as music but as poetry it works for me and I can listen with different ears.
I am with you, being a 68 year old woman from US. Never cared for rap, but this makes me listen with different ears too!
It's an art form as varied as paintings. Some paintings (and artists) are straight forward landscapes or fruit bowls, no need for explanation, and therefore not controversial. Not everyone loves it, but no one really dislikes it.
Other paintings (and artists) are very abstract. Fewer people love it, some openly dislike it, unable to understand how seemingly random lines and splotches of color makes any sense, let alone worth millions of dollars.
Sometimes context or artist motivation sheds light on the paintings, possibly changing your perspective and level appreciation.
Whether you dislike, like, love, or greatly appreciation art, it deserves to exist, in all its forms.
@@BackwardTravisty 👌 wow
Nikki Giovanni, a known African American poet who won awards and was an university educator, taught Tupac's verses as poetry as well. Rap is rhyme therefore poetry to beats/music. It may be often harsh and/or difficult to truly understand if we aren't open to lives unlike our own, yet often they are lives lived. We just have to be open to listen and then we can learn.
this was one of the most intelligent rap lyric reaction videos ive ever seen lol
Thank you Ari, another remarkable report and analysis 👏 🙌 👍
Excellent! Art has it's own language. Thank you, Ari for sharing the love ❤️ and the truth.
God Bless Jay-Z. God bless Ari. God bless my First People's Tribe, The Picurís Pueblo. God bless all First Nation People. God help all people to try to change eons of discrimination and hatred. God Bless, God Bless, God Bless us all with open minds. 🙏🏽
I truly love u & you're commentary Ari...Noone gets it like u get it!❤
Well, said, Citizen Melber.
Very true. Thank you for telling us this story.
3:44 yes...A memorable line in one of Rev. Jesse Jackson's Democratic Party convention speeches (paraphrased):
"I do not seek a 'position' ; I seek Equity"
Great commentary Ari! Something tells me DeSantis and Younkin will not let this be available in public school library's internet news clips
Best 12.5 minutes in news and Web. Bravo
Wow! Ari has done it again.
Right on for speaking truth
Ari, I'm a huge fan. Thank you for your sober, detailed, and balanced coverage of the American body politic. I love your hip hop references. Your piece today was sheer brilliance. To say anything that can be interpreted as being against the national anthem takes a lot of guts, but you nailed it. PS . Your interview with Narduwar was very insightful as to your history. doot doot
This is one of the best commentaries I have listened to. Truely enlightening Thank you. From New Zealand
We now have millions of wage slaves.
Jay is a legend, an inspiration to many.
Tupac said it best- “real eyes realize real lies” 🖤✨✌🏼👽
Thank you for this breakdown!
You're awesome, Ari🙏🏾🥰
One of the best videos from you ever Ari!!! Amazing job...
Jay-Z has so much to offer in his words. I love your analysis of his lyrics, it's like how my old English teacher used to dissect writings from Shakespeare and others and pulling out the meaning that I would otherwise have missed. You give it context and it raises my opinion of both of you.
Problematic lyrics include one verse of the British anthem that talks about oppressing the Scots ("Rebellious Scots to crush"). Maybe Nationalism isn't the healthiest drug.
I was unaware of that lyric. Then, again, I'm not British.
Thank you Ari Melber for the reporting the Truth for the Legal justice in the United States of America for the Black and Brown Americans
😂😂😂
I’m speechless!!!
Content well done🤙🏾Thanks for spending the time to create and share this perspective
Wonderful! This is what art is meant to do, open and free your mind.
Excellent... thanks, Ari.
I'm an old white boomer
I've never taken notice of rap before.
~
Ari doing a righteous service for us.
Ari is on a nuva level!! (.👈🏾)
Preach my brother your words is gospel, this song is deep thank you, God bless
"The past is never dead. It's not even past." ~ Wm Faulkner
You never cease to amaze Ari. Thank you.
Don't forget the electoral college, which let slave owners count their slaves as votes.
Thank you again for pointing out true American history. Your program is always interesting and informative.
Take the time to read the other verses in the Star-Spangled banner. Francis Scott Key was a notorious believer in slavery. I will never sing that first verse of the anthem again after reading the other verses of the original song.
You are everything we need in this struggle!
Wow this guy is so close to saying capitalism is bad it’s OK we’re adults we’re ready to hear it 😂
Just fantastic, love this literacy explanation. Brilliant.
One of your best breakdowns ever Ari. Great that you were able to put a window on the Jay-Z's artistry and the complex politics, oppression and identity that he and others have articulated.
BRILLIANT ESSAY ARI. Thank-you
Best verse! All Facts! Jay detailed everything perfectly!
My respect for Ari Member just multipled 1000% no one ever done this ever 🙌🏼
Some people can't get past "the language" to appreciate the skillful use of the language.
"Indians scattered on dawns highway bleeding. Ghosts crowd the young childs fragile eggshell mind."
Yes. Real poetry.
@@SchoolforHackers James Douglas Morrison. The Doors.
@@thedaveandjimshow3809 Yup. I’m old. I lived it.
Awesome segment! So well laid out. Ari's breakdowns are poetry too.
Thank you for the break down I understand more
As usual Ari delivers - love it
I love how you always use our words our raps and share these words with your audience your a standup guy. More ppl should listen instead of condemning us they may learn something. This is how understanding happens.✊🏾💪🏾👏🏾
Break it down Ari, thanks for that ,and Jay Z you nailed it.👍
ARI MELBER!!! You nailed it, AGAIN!
Ari thanks you always nail it .
Thank you for your amazing presentation Ari🏆🏆🙏🏽🙏🏽
Thanks so much for covering what black people say and do in this country and what we have gone through and still going through
Very interesting piece. I learned a lot.
Well said
Ari Melber On The American lie on freedom
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 this is a standing ovation for you Ari! I love your segments! 🔥🔥👏🏽👏🏽
Thank you Ari, for parsing Jay-Z's poem and breaking it down to explain to viewers the context.
Wow! Aro you broke it down so well that I want to cry for real!!
Ari low-key da GOAT!!!
Jay should give Ari that interview. Solid analysis of the poem.
Ari is an ambassador of the culture
That would be J Z !
Much Respect Mr Melber 🙏🏽💃🏾🥰
I always know that Ari is one of the greatest news anchor presenter or analyst. His analyses are concretized in rationality that are rooted in objectivism. If I want to get the soundest analysis of any contextual issue in American politics, I listen to Ari. Thanks for your research.