Tunji Andrews: Entrepreneurship Lessons From Jay-Z’s New Album – 4.44

As I listened to Jay-Z’s new album, I went through so many emotions. The revelations, the maturity, the audacity of it all was just legendary; but what screamed most to me was a quote by Pablo Picasso saying “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist”. With this album Jay-Z, like a few before him, broke the rules on releasing a successful album.

Now, anybody who follows music knows that every album drops a few singles that are meant to be danceable/club type songs, which ultimately act as bait to make buyers reach into their pockets to pay for the entire album. The hope is that with the purchase, the album will come with some more substance to drive deep thought and loyalty to the brand. With this album, Jay-Z was able to put out the music he wanted to, without being burdened by rules or expectations. Also, he went platinum in 5 days.

Following rules makes for a disciplined way to learn a craft and although discipline is key, creativity is also an integral way to grow. It’s actually very key to be flexible because rules over the long term tend to tear apart your creative and creativity must flow freely like water or wind.

However, to be able to break the rules, you must first learn and embody the rules. In your enterprise, you will have to understand how to create a balanced customer value proposition before you go on to create an off-kilter Unique selling proposition. You need to hone technical skills before you can come up with a style that is entirely yours.

There is no limit when it comes to innovation and expression. If it is in your mind, you can show it through your cart. It is a product of your soul. Entrepreneurship can be hard, painful and confusing, an awful mess – like giving birth to a new child. The entire process of creation can be an awful mess. It’s an act of defiance. If you can dare, you can create something new.
Before I go though, let me leave you with some money quotes from the album:

1. “I bought some artwork for one million/Two years later, that shit worth two million/Few years later, that shit worth eight million/I can’t wait to give this shit to my children”

2. “Generational wealth, that’s the key”

3. “A loss ain’t a loss, it’s a lesson”

4. “You wanna know what’s more important than throwin’ away money at a strip club? Credit”

5. “A man that don’t take care his family can’t be rich”

Have you listened to the album? Were there any entrepreneurship lessons learned. Do share in the comments below.