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‘One Day I Claim That We Will Stop Being Crabs In a Barrel’: Tina Knowles-Lawson Praises Jay-Z’s Business Moves Despite Facing Criticism from the Black Community

Beyoncé’s mother Tina Knowles-Lawson is making sure she gives her son-in-law Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter his flowers while he can still smell them.

The matriarch did so on Feb. 22 by penning a “love letter” on social media following the rapper turned business mogul’s announcement that Moët Hennesy purchased a 50 percent stake in his champagne company Armand de Brignac.

Beyoncé’s mother praises son-in-law Jay-Z for getting Black entertainers involved in Super Bowl performances. @tinaknowles/Instagram

Tina, who is no stranger to praising Jay-Z’s business moves, activism, and philanthropic endeavors, was moved to share the heartfelt words because of her son-in-law’s ability to solidify opportunities for Black artists to perform at the recent Super Bowl.

“Each person that performed Jazmine Sullivan, Her, and the Weekend all slaying their performances and making Black Excellence shine and us all proud,” she wrote. Just over a year ago the father of three was criticized for partnering with the NFL as a live music entertainment strategist. Tina reflected on Jay-Z’s decision to take on the role, “saying that things would never change unless we had someone on the inside that could make decisions . Someone at the top.”

From being called a sell-out out on social and accused of telling people to boycott the league while finding away to line his own pockets, Tina said she saw it all.

“I read all the horrible things people said calling him a sellout and hating on him big time . But he kept it moving because every person who has affected change has been criticized and dogged by their peers. One thing that I’ve noticed about Jay is that he doesn’t let what people say bully him into not doing the things that he knows are right.”

In closing she wrote, “One day I claim that we will stop being crabs in a barrel . We will support each other. There is room for everyone… You are a bad ass brother and I hope that you continue to pave the way for others like you have in the past !!”

The grandmother of four was met with support as thousands flooded the post with comments.

“Go off mama. Well said!”

“Beautiful… such Grace exhibited and Class to be inspired by”

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