Jay-Z: I'd Be Willing To Pay More Taxes For 'The Things That Mattered'

Warren Buffet, the investment wizard who is also one of the world's wealthiest men, has long advocated for higher taxes on the superrich. Now Jay-Z, Buffett's pal and himself a member of the upper tier of the 1 percent, is joining him.

"Me, personally, I wouldn't mind paying more in taxes if it went to the things that really mattered," he said to CNN. "If it went to education, to people in poverty, I wouldn't mind."

Added Hov, "I think most people with a conscience, with some integrity and moral fiber wouldn't have any problem paying more taxes."

Last month, Jay-Z came under fire when his clothing label, Rocawear, began selling t-shirts which read "Occupy All Streets." But revenue from the shirts's sales were not going to support the Occupy protesters, and critics said the rap superstar was cynically profiting from the movement.

Jay-Z is the latest in a line of superrich Americans who've said the government should tax them more. A lobbying group, Patriotic Millionaires For Fiscal Strength, say that the rich have benefited disproportionally from the government's tax policies, and have pressed Congress to raise marginal rates on the wealthy. "We think that like other Americans, we love this country, and that those in the upper one percent have been treated too good for their own sake," said Garrett Gruener, a member of the group. "We think it's time to give back."

Comments

[Faith Hope21]

06:00 PM on 12/18/2011

What does a 42 year old man doing in the Rapping Industry with the Youth of Tomorrow! That is right he wanted to capitalize on Occupy New York with designer T-Shirts and Keep all the money for himself. But I guess someone told him that does not look good so he cancelled the Business Venture. But a true Man of the People would have continue with the transaction and Donate all the funds Homeless Women, Abused Women or some non profit organization that would benefit someone other than himself!

[robwilsontv]

08:49 PM on 12/13/2011

Here's the thing, #occupy doesn't hate the rich...they want to be rich too. They just want a fair shake. The blueprint for success in America is no secret. Check out my recent CBS appearance for my take: http://youtu.be/bV67dX5x7gk

[peacelovetamu]

09:11 PM on 12/12/2011

When he says he wants a say in where his money is going, I believe that he was saying that in regards to his money going to what is relevant and actually helping the American people. Not towards unbeneficial things such as useless, costly wars.. or back into the pockets of the wealthy. Besides being a "rapper" Jay-Z is a bright man, wise as well.. not one of these silly rappers who flaunt their money on stupid things. He knows where he comes from and frequently acknowledges that.

[rain33]

03:50 PM on 12/12/2011

jay z should pay more in taxes because he doesn't know what to do with his money other than spending it on cars, homes and clubs. he feels that he doesn't owe the world anything yet poor working young adults supported your career. at first he stated support all streets but now he got backlash from protesters who were going to boycotting his business empire. jay z and most of these rappers don't give a **** bout us so why we should care bout what they say. i would rather listen to russell simmons who has been on the occupy movement & talking about class warfare. russell is smarter than jay-z anyway.

[Sam Damon]

02:04 PM on 12/12/2011

Just tell your accountant how much more you want to kick in Jay-Z and its a done deal. No need to re-write the tax code for you to put the US government on your list of charitable contributions.

[mr whiteffolks]

11:25 AM on 12/12/2011

Hey Jay Z ! We Want Bootsy !

[stealman1001]

10:26 PM on 12/11/2011

No reason to re-write all the tax laws. Keep them the way they are, and just let the
Buffett/Jay-Z/rest of the millionaires club just start paying portions of ours.
Less paperwork and still lowering our taxes.
Plus then we can all write in where we want the money to go, instead of Z getting to cherry pick only
the things he wants funded.
Would almost be like the American citizen getting a say in where his or her tax dollar is going. Now THAT'S something we haven't seen in a while.

[rejectDemplantation]

03:11 PM on 12/11/2011

He has to make that statement..he's mega-rich, and a Democrat. But notice he qualified his "willingness to pay more"..when Obama grabs your money - you don't get to "choose" where it goes! Obama may also want your money to help abort a little black baby..or some other baby -- how do you feel about that, Mr. Z..is that cool with you, too?

[a okafor007]

05:52 PM on 12/11/2011

Why do you have to inject race into this? o what if black women get abortons. Every race of women do it

[rejectDemplantation]

06:11 PM on 12/11/2011

But black women comprising only 12% of the population are having nearly 40% of abortions -- that FACT alone injects "race" into abortion. The KKK is wishing they'd created abortion! Considering that Z wants a say where his money is going..he (among other blacks) may care about that fact -- since we have an abortion proponent in the White House that's already expressed a willingness to abort his own future grandchildren. Remember when he said he didn't want his daughters "punished with a baby"? He was explaining why he supports abortion, sir.

[simpleperson]

02:01 PM on 12/11/2011

Is he going to donate the profits from the sale of his OWS t-shirts?

[crammedberry]

05:48 PM on 12/10/2011

There's a repeating pattern in that the rich don't mind paying higher taxes. They will still be rich, and they will still be making huge profits. The idea that a 3% tax hike will suddenly end the RICH as we know them is ludicrous.

The people who go around screaming for the rich are in my experience actually not rich at all, and often times far from it. They are opposed to the idea of ONE DAY.... IF... IF they ever become billionaires of ever having to pay higher taxes. They dream of being billionaires and are trying to protect their interests IF (insert laugh here) they ever do so. Dream on.

[Thinklongterm]

04:51 PM on 12/10/2011

Why don't you rap about something that matters instead of how much money you have?

[anthonytaurus]

09:28 PM on 12/11/2011

You clearly do not listen to much of his music. It's too evident. Of course, you'll cherry pick a few songs to prove your point. Then again, I'd be surprised if you could do that since clearly you don't listen to his music. Ok, go frantically search for songs to prove your point.

Soon you'll understand..

[rain33]

03:35 PM on 12/12/2011

amen! amen! jay can rap about something else instead dissing women and talking bout earning more money!

[Dale Birmingham]

02:48 PM on 12/10/2011

I dont think the 1% listens to his rap.

[Cat9]

02:45 PM on 12/10/2011

That's as soon as he figures out how to market a tee shirt with the OWS logo on it, first!

[MariaTall]

02:42 PM on 12/10/2011

I am sick and tired of these phoney 1%ers telling us that they want to pay more taxes.

If they mean it all they have to do is write a check and mail it in.

[a okafor007]

05:54 PM on 12/11/2011

And send it to who? LOL. How is he a "phoney" when he's worth 400 million dollars. What he's trying to day is that people like you should get a grip and quit protecting them because they don't need your tax protections.

[anthonytaurus]

09:30 PM on 12/11/2011

How can you mail in a check when Republicans will just mail it right back to him? And, they'll probably throw in some extra money from the 99 they're eager to raise taxes on.

[mododavid]

02:37 PM on 12/10/2011

and if he said no, how many of those OWS shirts would he be able to sell. Also, putting conditions on tax hikes is an OLD ploy.

[anthonytaurus]

09:36 PM on 12/11/2011

I think it would be cool if we could all check a box to direct our funds to specific areas of society. I'd choose Education as a top priority followed by poverty as well. I'd also probably check the box for US military, roads, and farm subsidies! It's not a bad idea when you have Republicans in office who would rather take that money and direct it into Verizon's pockets. I think society would look VERY different if we all could "vote" where our taxes go. No more earmarks for your silly pet project Mr Republican. The people haven't checked that box.