With a fire raging from his recent Netflix comedy special, Dave Chappelle took to the stage Saturday night to induct Jay-Z into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”I would like to apologise to…,” the comedian, who lives in rural Yellow Springs, Ohio, said at the start of his speech. Nah, I’m just f—in’ with ya,” he says, referring to the backlash he’s received for jokes about the transgender community in his The Closer special, which was released earlier this month. The controversy has resulted in a backlash against Netflix from its employees who support the comedian’s point of view. Chappelle was equally unapologetic in his praise for Jay-Z, saying, “I need everybody around the world to know: Even though you’re honouring him, he’s ours.
” He is hip-hop for all eternity and a day.” Chappelle praised his friend for being a leader and positive influence in Black America, saying, “We are his point of reference, and he is going to show us how far we can go if we just get a hold of the opportunity, and for that we will always love him.” We will always remember him fondly.
“During a Roots Jam Session, the comedian also told a storey about posing for a photo with Jay-Z and his wife, Beyoncé. “Jay tells me, ‘You must be under a lot of pressure to say funny sh– all the time,'” Chappelle recalled. “I looked at Jay and said, ‘Well, you must be under a lot of pressure to say cool sh– all the time.’ ‘It ain’t no pressure,’ Jay said as he looked at me.
‘I simply do it.’ ‘My God, man — you just did it again!’ I exclaimed to Jay.Chappelle’s remarks were preceded by a taped tribute from former President Barack Obama and a montage of all-stars quoting lyrics from Jay-Z songs, including Beyonce and their daughter Blue Ivy Carter, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Diddy, Common, Queen Latifah, and others.Jay-Z joked during his lengthy acceptance speech that the adoring crowd reaction was “trying to make me cry in front of all these white people.
” KRS-One, Chuck D of Public Enemy, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, fellow inductee LL Cool J, and others were among his influences. “We didn’t think we’d be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame growing up,” Jay-Z said. “We were told hip-hop was a fad, and it gave us this anti-culture, this sub-genre, and there were heroes in it, much like punk rock.” He also singled out Damon Dash, his former manager and Roc-A-Fella Records partner, saying, “I know we don’t always agree, but I can never forget what you’ve done for me.” … We created something that will almost certainly never be replicated.”HBO filmed the Rock Hall inductions, which will air beginning Nov. 20.
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