Internet left divided as billionaire Jay-Z says he turned down cousin's request for $4.8K

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jay-Z's remarks about withholding money from a cousin who approached him seeking assistance have caused controversy.

During an interview for his talk show 'Hart to Heart', the rapper, who has an astonishing net worth of $2.5 billion, discussed the challenges of having family members asking for money during the holidays.

Jay-Z recalls cousin's request for money

Jay-Z explained that he wanted to return home to be with his family for the holidays but it made him uncomfortable when his cousins approached him at family gatherings and asked him to assist them with a business venture.

On one of these occasions, a cousin approached the musician and requested $4,800, promising to turn it into $2 million.

Jay-Z, who has three children with his wife Beyonce, explained why he said no and claimed he was upset by the cousin's response that he didn't "believe in their dream," as reported by UNILAD.

Internet left divided by Jay-Z's comments

Jay-Z's revelation elicited a variety of responses on the Internet.

A user wrote, "Jay Z has 2.5 billion dollars, his cousin asked for 4800 and he said no. To put that into perspective, that’d be the equivalent of someone who made 50,000 a year being asked to give a dime."

However, another supported Jay-Z and wrote, "Unpopular opinion; It's his money, he can do what he pleases. If I had billions of dollars I wouldn't give any of my family money because they don't speak to me or check in on me. Blood doesn't make you family. We don't know the whole context."

Someone else said, "The fact you were raised that way doesn't mean you shouldn't be kind to your own family."

Another X user penned, "He could give $10,000,000 to 150 cousins/family members and he would still have 1 billion dollars."

Someone else noted, "There are two sides to every story, and I don't have enough information to know for sure. I can think of many deferent reasons that a person would not give a family member money. For instance, if a family member wanted to do something with the money that would put them in a dangerous situation."

"That said, to Jay-Z $4,800 is like a quarter to regular person like you and me. If my cousin wanted a quarter I would give it to him no questions asked, but you can't get into any precarious situations over twenty-five cents," they added.