Jay Z declares drug war an ‘epic fail’ in short film

NEW YORK – Jay Z has declared the war on drugs an “epic fail” in a short film he wrote and narrated.

The four-minute clip posted online by The New York Times on Thursday features Jay Z’s narration over an artist’s illustrations.

In the video, he complains “young men like me who hustled became the sole villain” when strict drug laws were introduced in the 1980s. He also suggests treatment of drug dealers is hypocritical given that states like Colorado have legalized marijuana. He also blames mandatory minimum sentences in part for the sharp rise in the U.S. prison population.

Jay Z has frequently rapped about his past as a crack dealer.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.