LL Cool J & Ice Cube Discuss Jay-Z’s NFL Partnership On T.I.’s ‘expediTIously’

(AllHipHop News) The first episode of Tip “T.I.” Harris’ new weekly podcast expediTIously hit PodcastOne and Apple Podcasts on Thursday. For the initial show, the music/television star spoke with Hip Hop legends Ice Cube and LL Cool J.

At one point, the three emcees discussed the controversial partnership between Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter’s Roc Nation entertainment company and the National Football League. The deal involves the two brands uniting to support the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative which focuses on education and economic advancement, police and community relations, and criminal justice reform.

“To me, I don’t see it as being a big issue. I think either they’re going to hire Live Nation or they’re going to hire Roc Nation. Why not let Roc Nation do what Live Nation was going to do?” suggested Cube.

He added, “The NFL could never solve the problem that [Colin] Kaepernick was talking about. It’s apples and oranges. Kap is talking about police brutality. The NFL has nothing to do with that. All the NFL has is a platform, and they’re willing to use their platform, now, to speak out against it. So, let’s use the platform. Let’s let them spend that money. Why let them off the hook? And they’re using somebody who can give money back to the culture. So, I don’t have a problem with it, whatsoever.”

Some critics took issue with Jay-Z working with the NFL while alleged blackballed quarterback Colin Kaepernick is still not signed to a franchise after taking a knee during the national anthem to protest systemic oppression in America. LL Cool J said, “Personally, I understand what [Jay-Z’s] doing. I get it, and I see the vision, but at the same time I do understand there are some people, who cannot get past the pain.”

On Wednesday, Roc Nation artists Rapsody and Vic Mensa mentored teenagers at the BBF Family Services site in Chicago as part of Inspire Change. They were joined at the event by NFL Hall of Famers, police officers, and local community leaders. There are also reports that Inspire Change is donating $400,000 to Chicago’s BBF Family Services and Crusher’s Club.