Jay-Z Hits Back At Cuba Criticism

Jay-Z has addressed his controversial trip to Cuba in a scathing new song.

The rapper and his wife Beyonce were heavily criticised by politicians following their visit to the South American country – which is banned as a tourist destination by the US government – for their fifth wedding anniversary earlier this month, but the star has hit back, claiming that he received “White House clearance” for the trip to capital city Havana.

In new track uploaded to his Life + Times blog titled ‘Open Letter’, Jay boasts that he “done turned Havana into Atlanta”, adding: “Politicians never did s**t for me, except lie to me, distort history.”

The rapper – real name Shawn Carter – used the scathing track to respond to Republican politicians, who called for an investigation into the legality of the couple’s visit. US citizens are banned from visiting the neighbouring island under a travel embargo, and residents must seek a licence before visiting the country, although these are usually reserved for journalistic or educational reasons.

The US Treasury has since confirmed that they approved the trip, which was set up by an organisation who promote educational programmes in Cuba.

Jay defiantly raps in the song: “They wanna give me jail time and a fine. Fine, let me commit a real crime.”

The lyrics also brag of the musician’s political connections to United States president Barack Obama, adding: “Obama said, ‘Chill you’re going to get me impeached’ / You don’t need this s**t anyway, chill with me on the beach.”

America first imposed its Cuban travel embargo in the 1960s and by law, citizens are prohibited from spending money in the country in order to not fund the communist government.

BANG Showbiz

Beyonce, Jay Z turn heads in Havana

U.S. singer Beyonce and her husband, rapper Jay-Z, are surrounded by body guards as they tour Old Havana in Cuba. Photo / AP

 

Beyonce and Jay-Z caused a big stir in Havana as they marked their fifth wedding anniversary.

R&B’s power couple was mobbed by dozens of well-wishers at the renowned restaurant La Guarida on Wednesday night, and police had to step in to keep the crowds at bay.

La Guarida staffers showed The Associated Press pictures of the two dining on typical Cuban creole favourites – fish, chicken, black beans and rice – accompanied by their mothers.

The privately-run restaurant is famous as the filming location for the hit movie Strawberry and Chocolate, and is a mainstay on Havana’s tourist circuit.

Waitress Silvia Fernandez said Beyonce toured the eatery and looked at photos of past celebrity clients: Jack Nicholson, Jodie Foster, Danny Glover, Will Smith, James Belushi and more.

Their bodyguards’ presence outside set the gritty, bustling neighbourhood of Center Havana abuzz, and a crowd gathered downstairs shouting Beyonce’s name until she went to a balcony and waved.

Police arrived and made sure she was able to exit without incident.

 

“She was beautiful, without a drop of makeup, very natural,” waitress Silvia Fernandez said. “What happened with the people was incredible.”

On Thursday the couple toured colonial Old Havana wearing dark glasses and surrounded by bodyguards and excited fans. Beyonce posed for pictures with local schoolchildren while Jay-Z puffed on a Cuban cigar, and then they popped into another restaurant that boasts a rooftop terrace with a sweeping view of the harbour.

Beyonce and Jay-Z declined to speak to reporters, and it was not clear why they travelled to Cuba. State-run website CubaSi called it a tourist trip.

Washington’s 51-year embargo makes it illegal for US citizens to visit Cuba for mere tourism, although tens of thousands of Americans travel here each year on academic, religious, journalistic or cultural exchange licences. In the past, artists who were challenged by the government have said they visited for cultural purposes.

Beyonce, the multiple Grammy-winner who performed at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show and President Obama’s inauguration, and Jay-Z, the rapper and entertainment mogul who recently went into the sports-agent business, were married on April 4, 2008, in Paris.

– AP