By Ismael AbduSalaam
Earlier this week Jay-Z’s philanthropic efforts were recognized in a private New York ceremony, as the mogul received a special humanitarian award from the United Nations.
The esteemed distinction was bestowed by actor and host Michael Douglas for the rapper’s extensive work over the past two years raising funds and organizing awareness of the world water crisis.
According to reports, a child dies every 15 seconds from not having adequate drinking water.
In 2006, Jay embarked on a worldwide tour to bring awareness to the water epidemic.
The effort culminated with a MTV diary chronicling the tour and the mogul creating over 1,000 water pumps in African communities.
Now a staple contributor to social issues in his veteran Hip-Hop years, Jay reasons that as a worldwide human family people have to stop looking to others for community responsibility and take initiative to combat societal issues.
“If you bring awareness to young people, they’re going to see and want to be involved,” Jay-Z stated. “I’m not a politician; I’m just a regular person with a heart. If you see a problem like that and do nothing about it, there’s something wrong with you.”
At press time Jay-Z is prepping his final Def Jam and eleventh studio album Blueprint 3 for a December 2 release.