02 September 2009
Newsdesk
JAY-Z has slammed rappers who moan about their upbringing in America's ghettos and said they have no idea what real poverty is.
The star said he recently travelled to to Africa to see the work his Water For Life project is doing to help those in need.
And the rapper, who grew up in the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, said some rappers' downtrodden upbringings pale in comparison to the poverty he witnessed on his trip.
He says, "Rappers say they're from the hood. They're not. Bella is from the hood.
"She's that girl in the village in Africa who wakes up every morning to get water for her family. The water she carries is half her body weight. There is no bathroom in her house. Just listening to that, don't you feel it puts everything into perspective? Being in Africa shows you how small the world is and puts everything into focus."
And he said he was determined to use his fame and fortune to ensure he makes a difference in the world.
He added: "If I can use my celebrity status to bring awareness to something, I will. Giving is the purest form of charity, and without sounding cheesy, I like to give - it makes me feel good."
