Bloomberg Cites Jay-Z, Bicyclist
Michael Bloomberg showed off his knowledge of rap music at an event with Jay-Z this morning to discuss the city’s plan to close some streets in Manhattan to motorists.
A reporter at the Foley Square event prefaced a question to Jay-Z by noting that one of his songs describes how his mother said he taught himself to ride a bike at a young age, and asked if he planned to participate in the program, which starts this Saturday [clarified].
“This is from, ‘Mother I Made It’?” asked Bloomberg, referencing the little-known song "Mother I Made It," which was never released as a single or music video, from a Jay-Z album called Kingdom Come.
“Yeah, I believe so,” said Jay-Z. He went on to say he rides a bike "throughout the city,” but declined to specify where. “I don’t’ want the guys with cameras to follow me, so I’ll tell you where after,” he said.
He didn’t, but Jay-Z did pose for photographs with a number of fans, including one man who kept yelling, “Jay-Z for President!” The rapper is supporting Barack Obama and even recorded a robo-call for him that played in Ohio before the primary.
Probably, more accurately, he showed off some low-level press staffer's knowledge of hip hop.
It's all you can do after the "Simon and Garfinkle" debacle a few weeks back.
Bloomberg has given 10 parking permits to the Kabbalah Center a whacky cult like group that doesnt deal with emergencies, does not deliver meals on wheels and is not helping people who are homeless or in need. Jay Z and his limos undoubtedly have special permits to drive through the city's closed streets with the mayor's other celebrity and moneied pals.
The song is actually December 4th, when Jay's mother is telling stories about him in between verses. Here's what she said:
Shawn was a very shy child growing up
He was into sports
And a funny story is
At 4 he taught hisself how to ride a bike
A two wheeler at that
Isn't that special?
But, i noticed a change in him when me and my husband broke up
There's no mention of a bike in Mama I Made It... Sorry Bloomberg