Michael Eric Dyson Breaks Down the Importance of Jay-Z Through His Lyrics + Talks Black Excellence

The multi-dimensional and multi-hyphenate, Michael Eric Dyson, joins us on Sway in the Morning. As a professor, activist, author, preacher, and radio host, he eloquently broke down the importance of Jay-Z through his lyrics and his journey.
Black excellence was the topic of conversation and Dyson was well-versed. From Martin Luther King, to Malcom X, to Colin Kaepernick, watch below as he gives us hope and power.
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Exclusive interviews from Sway Calloway and the Sway In The Morning/ SwaysUniverse.com team with some of today's biggest celebrities, like Kevin Hart, Kanye West, Eminem, Usher, Jessica Alba, Steve Aoki, Torey Lanez, Julia Stiles and so much more.
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[@baloziubalozini5074]

I remember him on the interview with Nas,now this one here!!Its a definition of what KNOWLEDGE is about.

[@pimpsoda1]

"I use big words to defend you against people that don't understand you."

[@SoulTouchathePoet]

Imagine if Michael Eric Dyson drop an album!!!!!!

[@12spin]

It would consist of world famous critical acclaimed BARS!!!

[@kudabeen]

I was about to say he did...but that was his former mentor Cornell West that put an album out...

[@kiathalovelygoddess]

Idc what nobody say, I’m a huge Jay Z fan since the 90’s and no matter who says what Hov can NEVER EVER be cancelled!!!

[@7undergodnation809]

Kia ThaLovelyGoddess I agree with you baby 😘

[@E1LTSaves]

Eva!

[@kman.347]

Soo him worshipping Satan don't at least a little bit bother you??

[@kman.347]

Just research the hand symbol's he and his wife does some of his lyrics and who's quote is Do what thou wilt a Sweat shirt he wore in a interview at a music video shoot ijs do your googles before you come for my neck😇😇

[@k2datrack]

I'd make sure i get famous off rap music just so that Eric Dyson can quote my lyrics

[@shaunatl4148]

This man is a living example of Greatness. Salute.

[@AHicks-bd4bx]

“I WRITE BOOKS LIKE NIGGAS WRITE HOOKS!” 🎙 DROP!

[@kimberlymoyer1232]

Dr.Dyson, I live in Atlanta and between my daughters and myself we have the equilavence of 3 BA's and masters. I have always instilled in my daughters their heritage. Great grandfather, a team member of black baseball team. And a 33rd degree Mason. Grandfather 1st black truck driver for Coke a Cola. And a widowed mom who promised her husband on his dying day that she would never put a man over his daughter's while they are in their formative years. I did that and then result was educating 2 black women, teaching them the value of work and impressing upon them the value of earning their age The result was 35 yo. Working for Home Depot and taking advantage of their tuition reimbursement program and a salary of 75k and travel all over the country for them training and teaching for them. Youngest daughter 26yo. with a B.A. and a MBA and works for an international IT company with a salary of 95k per.year whose job requires international travel.My point is, We will gladly turn off Real Housewives or Growing up Hip Hop Atl. And buy a ticket to see and hear you do a lecture at Tyler Perry Studio's. Just saying

[@charlita25]

I love watching Michel Dyson’s interviews I learn a new word each time.

[@12spin]

Man that was outstanding!!!! I'm truly motivated after watching it!

[@cbealAUG]

This should have way more views!!!

[@303rdco]

not really

[@xXxXxMartianSkyxXxXx]

I would love for him to speak on the “decadent veil of black celebrity” .

[@orangemarley5086]

Musa Plaga facts!

[@AKingsVision]

Mike gotta tighten up them glasses. He stay pushing em up lol

[@Tamisha710]

I like him on this platform much better than the breakfast club interview. No disrespect to the BC but just my opinion.

[@christopherayettey4390]

Yeah... i think he was more detailed here

[@bzo3940]

I would pay to hear a conversation with him and Jay! They need to make that happen!!!

[@303rdco]

L

[@topjefe5521]

I literally just turned on m.l.k in lubbock texas when mr.dyson started talking about him blew my mind

[@hadoribroderick6616]

“I wrote books like niggas write hooks”.......👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 by FAR the best last words of an interview ever

[@sweetcakes1509]

Love this Man! Dr. Michael Eric Dyson is a Brilliant Man!!! Thank You SWAY 👏✊❤

[@303rdco]

you are ignorant

[@vibe609media]

CAN'T WAIT TO INTERVIEW YOU BRO

[@1natVson1NATIVESON]

I love this brother 💪🏾🖤✊🏾 RESPECT ⚔️ HONOR !!!

[@charlita25]

This will be a good interview. Michael Eric Dyson always drops knowledge.

[@Chandasouk]

I loved his books Holla If You Hear Me and Know What I Mean? I was hella into hip hop and still is, so it was cool learning. His books had me looking shit up on the dictionary a lot when I was a kid lol. I often feel he would use a complicated word when a simple one would've sufficed and still got the point across.

[@MichaelCouture87]

Love Michael Eric Dyson, and as a supporter of Kaepernick with some slight critiques, I could not agree more with Dyson's brilliant, thoughtful, and spot on breakdown of that situation.

[@kudabeen]

Him describing his upbringing and how Black Excellence was the expectation...we had our homes, neighborhoods and upward mobility in working order, but there were specific systemic, chemical, and cultural impediments designed to negate that....take Dad out the home by any means...alienate the Black Family and the Village principal...bullshit people still subscribed to. Shit is ongoing

[@charlita25]

People from Detroit has so much soul.

[@calicoslim]

I like how he de-coded the lyrics, now I have to go back and listen to some songs

[@malakyevans138]

BARS!!!!

[@jeaninem6868]

Wow....just wow

[@ang1stokes]

👏👑 I see nothing wrong with Excellency.😏

[@SACH316-f5c]

💯💯🙏😏

[@EliteClinicalResearch]

He is the king of words!!!

[@dwaynemalloy7608]

Great show. We needed the great Heather B on this one.

[@NOLAsoulchild]

I really like this guy... I remember him on that 2Pac DVD I bought back in the day, but his preacher conversation mouth piece is a turn off. I couldn't make it through the interview. No even 3 minutes, but I'm sure it was enlightening

[@AceofDlamonds]

lmao

[@Ebdawinner]

“red fish blue fish... nick nack scratch my back (ok)... walla walla bing bang, but its all the same... cant knock the hussle, with thought like nipsey russel... money, cash, hoes, in the land where anything goes...” -Michael Eric Dyson

[@MarloStringerBell]

Truly incredible interview & 🆓📚✍🏽

[@marcusbibbs5326]

What I don't understand is how we tend to always want to be negative instead of supporting and building. We can't get out our own way. Prime example of Slave mentality.

[@justinhuskey335]

Look at the state of Africa. It's constantly at war. Tribalism.

[@darealphantom]

Dr. Dyson should’ve been in Wu-Tang the way his words be cutting people up

[@LboogieEntertainmentTv]

Mark zuckerberg is a cyborg 😂

[@TuckG305]

Sway i done seen that GSTAR jacket in bout 3 interviews my man 😂😂

[@youngmulaf50]

Will be purchasing this book.

[@Pt_daplugg]

Wowwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!! Excellent interview

[@johnsonmoje1181]

Michael Dyson has a way with words.

[@introvertreed6009]

"you're using big words and saying nothing." -Candace Owens

[@BlindMellowJelly]

Youth admire a hip hop star these days more than they admire an educator or a grandparent. I wish we as one people can stand, teach each other and regain where we were when the Kush Empire Dominated the World. Where King Solomon was the most celebrated and wealthy Black King and where we as a people were asked to civilize whitey and educate them so we can trade with them and get their cash. The separation of Negro from Niggas is the most important thing a young person can ponder. That will define you in your future. Like my Mother used to say "if you have 9 broke ass friends, you will certainly be the tenth in a short time".

[@warriorsouljah]

Dr Dyson seems to be true to his verbal applause of Jay Z as wordsmith and businessman, but I have a feeling he wanted to write a book that attract youth to read the very important ideals Mr. Carter has evolved to speaking of in his rhymes: hard work ethic, business over crime, generational wealth, uplift the less fortunate, take care of family, leave your children with emotional security not just financial and so on.

[@BlindMellowJelly]

@@warriorsouljah Great observation. An educator will allways be an educator

[@troublenabubble2571]

I write books like niggas write hooks!!!!! #BARZ 🔥🔥🔥

[@1337Se7eN7]

"You're a mean, mad, white-man" - Michael Eric Dyson Way to judge someone on the color of their skin, Dyson, rather than the content of their character.

[@1337Se7eN7]

@Paul Molina okay, when a bunch of white people reciprocate by being racist, I guess at least it was part of your plan.

[@Tobi-pn2xs]

@Paul Molina medication? That's the way to get a backlash. By reciprocating racial discrimination against people who didn't even exert it in the first place, you don't repair anything. You, as Stephen fry rightly pointed out, become a promoter of the far right, not a supporter of equality. "Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained." ~ Lao Tzu

[@1337Se7eN7]

@@Tobi-pn2xs exactly. All Dyson does is promote more racial hatred. But I guess he just wants views.

[@undertow0307]

You can’t even speak properly.

[@undertow0307]

Cry all you want you soft man child

[@phelix920]

Game over!!🙏🏾🙌🏾👍🏾

[@EliteClinicalResearch]

Hopefully The audiobook will be done by him

[@lastshotjumpers7824]

🔥⛽🌋💯

[@trksanhoes]

Mane soon as this popped up I was on it. Yousef Bey.... Wow R.I.P Ahkbok (Yusef Bey son) Used to run with him and HollyRock on West Mac. But anyway this brotha soooooo deep I actually posted a video on KZbin of him on Ari melber MSNBC show today spittin his 🔥🔥🔥 ✊🏿✌🏿 🤺🏋🏿‍♂️ 33's 45's 78's P.s I write books like niggas write hooks. 😯😯😯😯😯😎 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@SPAC3MAN_APM]

Yes!

[@theguybrandon]

Every one needs to see this

[@Cocoy3e]

I'm just gonna start talking like this, fudge it let's see

[@lrhlrh5570]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@soloist9495]

Writing books about rappers

[@souljaboytd]

As i stated on other platforms...you have broken the hearts of young men by compromising your integrity for money..it will be challenged PUBLICALLY and where ever you go...you let the young men down Michael dyson i hope your prepared when we bring questioning to you in the public

[@trinidadonassis7411]

We knew what was up with Dyson when he sat up there with that WS Bill Maher and got to soft shoein. These fakers, frauds, and phonies are deplorable.

[@HereAndNowWithHabiba]

I like him and more often than not I agree with him, but on this Kaepernick issue he has said a lot of things I don't agree with and that were factually false, especially when he was on First Take with SAS, but some of it was due to the fact that they are both from a generation that thought respectability politics was the only way to survive for Black folks in white worlds. And it's not wrong. As Black people, as talented and smart as we are, we might have to wear our hair a certain way, don't speak about certain things, dress a certain way, just to have a chance to get the job we want. I understand that. What I don't like is that these same 2 guys would champion other Black people for standing up for themselves and not just conforming as long as it didn't conflict with something they (SAS and Dr Dyson) had an interest in. Here, SAS works for ESPN and the channel's new leaders have been on a mission to strengthen their relationship with the NFL and he, as the face of the channel and a recent new multimillion-dollar extension has to go with the company line. Dr Dyson teaches a course on Jay-Z at Georgetown, is currently promoting the book he wrote about him, he has to go with that company line, too. SAS really wanted to believe what his sources told him and his ego doesn't allow him to admit when he wrong, especially when it is personal to him, because his real problem, and why he is not going to change his tune even knowing that his info was wrong, is because Eric Reid called him a sellout on a public platform. I agree with Dr Dyson that Jay-Z deserved the benefit of the doubt when the NFL deal was announced but he, in turn, didn't afford Kaepernick the benefit of the doubt that they gave Jay-Z and the NFL, and declared him the sole reason the workout failed and other nonsense like that. The last point I want to make is that the way both of them are behaving when they talk about the waiver is disturbing. This is not just a piece of paper he should have just signed. It was something the NFL crafted specifically to prevent him from ever being able to sue them ever again for anything. Not only was that a red flag for his legal team that something was not right (when you compare it to the waivers free agents are asked to sign before tryouts), especially considering the history between the two parties involved, but it was also one of the main reasons the workout was scheduled in the first place: to get him to sign this document. The fact that both SAS and Dr Dyson are so cavalier about the significance of this document and criticize Kap for making a fuss about it, going so far as accusing his lawyers of giving him bad advice when they know nothing about the importance of a couple of paragraphs in someone's career and life. They wanted him to sign his rights away basically. It's ok sometimes to say "I don't know" or "I was wrong" but when your ego is set up a certain way, it's out of the question so instead you double down on the nonsense and if you are SAS you yell to drown out the opposition and if you are Dr Dyson you wrap it in a bow made of beautiful multisyllabic words from the dictionary.

[@DERTMY1]

You can see whY our people were slaves for so long lol, we believe anybody with some big words

[@HereAndNowWithHabiba]

@@DERTMY1 Come on, now! 🤦🏾‍♀️ Leave the ancestors out of these. They fought hard. This is on us. We have to be better at not letting people with big voices, big words and big platforms lead us astray when their agenda is not about us or the greater good. We can still listen to SAS's sports takes (for those who are interested in them) and listen to Dr Dyson talk about Black history in all its forms but we don't have to follow their lead with things like that because their interests are somewhere else and they are spreading lies that a lot of people take as truths. It's on us ✊🏾

[@zuberiha]

@@HereAndNowWithHabiba You took the words right out of my mouth. I'm so disappointed in Stephen A Smith and Michael Eric Dyson. Oh, I almost forgot about Shannon Sharpe. He criticized Kaepernick as well. I used to be a fan. Not anymore. It's a shame the two white cats on ESPN stood up for Kaepernick. Nick Wright, and Max Kellerman. They saw through the NFL's BS. Watching Stephen A Smith and Michael Eric Dyson on ESPN's First Take towing the company line for the NFL was disgusting! Steven A was so hurt by all of the criticism he was taking nationally, he had to invite some of his supporters on the show to side with him. There was skepticism from the very beginning by many sports analyst leading up to the so-called workout, then after Kaepernick and his team saw through the hidden agenda of the NFL and conducted their own workout, the black Sports analyst and many others , flipped and sided with the NFL. Chris Broussard and a black ESPN reporter( his name escapes me at the moment) who was at the workout in Atlanta were the only African American sports analyst I saw who spoke up in favor of Kaepernick. They also pointed out the shady intentions of the NFL. The NFL was never serious about Kaepernick. Their whole agenda was for him to sign that waiver. Had Kaepernick sign that waiver, he would have cut off any chance of future litigation against one of the most powerful Sports organizations on the planet. Thank goodness Kaepernick and his team saw through that. It's really disappointing how Stephen A Smith and Michael Eric Dyson tried to minimize the language in the waiver as if it was really insignificant to Kaepernick getting back into the league. The NFL had no real intentions of allowing Kaepernick to get back into the NFL. Their whole agenda was hoping that he was dumb enough to sign away his rights. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, an attorney, was the first white guy I saw talk about the importance of Kaepernick not signing that waiver. Keep up the good work. Your words were refreshing and pointed in the right direction. I've come to the conclusion that Colin Kaepernick will probably never play another down in the NFL. The reason why Stephen A Smith and other black sports analyst take the position they take is because they are going to hang their hats on the NFL (money train), cuz in their minds they are saying why should I side with you N-word(s)? Y'all ain't got no money ! Peace! Haki

[@HereAndNowWithHabiba]

@@zuberiha Exactly! The ESPN reporter you are referring to is Howard Bryant and he did s masterful job covering the events from the announcement on Tuesday to the following week when he had to do a round of sports shows to set folks straight. Not only was he in Atlanta and spoke to a lot of people on the ground but he also spoke to people in Kaepernick's camp and people at the league's office. He really went above and beyond to cover every angle and make sure not to favor one side over the other, and his coverage and the piece that came out of it was the m0st balanced and the most thorough there is out there. When I was doing my own research to write a piece about it I relied a lot of Bryant's timeline because that's the only one that could be trusted. Stephen A., Dr Dyson and Shannon Sharpe have so much influence (and they earned it) in the Black community and in the media in general that for them to act the way they did was not just disappointing but disgusting. They took all the arguments white people use to deny us opportunities and used them against Kaepernick and spread so many lies in the process. Lies that people are up because they came from these men who have been so big and trusted when it comes to the culture. They did a lot of harm to the cause and created a whole new breed of Kaepernick detractors among folks who were supporting him up until that point. Shannon tried to backtrack a little but Stephen will never because at this point it's all about his ego and it's personal: Reid called him a sellout and Terrell Owen's went on his show and told him that Max was blacker than him. His ego will never allow him to go beyond these attacks against him to see how wrong he was and how himself had attacked Kap and Reid way before they said a word about him.

[@HereAndNowWithHabiba]

@@zuberiha also, I need to follow you ok social media of you are on Twitter or IG.

[@Tobi-pn2xs]

11:40 memorized and prepared to be spit out at any given opportunity. Word salad at its best

[@lewisbrannigan2639]

Did he open up with a kanye dis hahahaha

[@christopherayettey4390]

Where,?

[@lewisbrannigan2639]

@@christopherayettey4390 with the you've got the answers sway Kanye was on there shouting you aint got the answers sway

[@joshuaro1424]

@@lewisbrannigan2639 That's a phrase that's commonly used to describe Sway: "Sway's got the answers." That's why Kanye said, "you ain't got the answers."

[@lewisbrannigan2639]

@@joshuaro1424 thanks bro i never heard anyone say it to sway before but im new like 4 months old to channel

[@BadBoyWolfy_xo]

This Dude Making a Career out Holding Jay’s 🥜

[@JasthePhilo]

Caleb J. Villa lol u have no knowledge of “this dude’s” career if u think this alone is making him lol

[@SACH316-f5c]

@@JasthePhilo word lolll

[@mr.worldfree3333]

yep

[@akaspon1]

@Cadillac Kadafi Sure they do. But why are we always "celebrating" Jay-Z and Beyonce?? Someone please explain why it matters so much to celebrate them. Every chance we get, let's stop and praise HOV everyone....smh.

[@pauldavis1963]

Does Sway gets extra money for mentioning Oakland in every interview?

[@rsdhillon4198]

Man went around station to station parading for Jayz ...payola

[@septimiusseverus145ad7]

Excellent interview melanated excellence

[@dee6965]

Sean Carter got this dude on payroll or something cause he goes super hard for him

[@Ebdawinner]

“the social-ecomonic pressure that manifest a brilliance the way of da vinci in the marcy projects”. lol. everything he says is TOO profound it loses its bite

[@christopherayettey4390]

How tf is this guy so good lol

[@BeautiButBeastt]

OK MED!!!!

[@SACH316-f5c]

LOL

[@kevinburke6055]

Mr word salad. Let me use all these big words to sound smart.

[@ShutterSpeedGaming]

All he do is talk about Jay-Z 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@troublenabubble2571]

In MY Zone he teaches a class on Jay. He also taught one on Pac

[@rodinmotion4331]

@Inmyzone That's all you know about, he talks about much much more, expand your mind and read some of his books.

[@MrMCox11]

He's promoting a book he just wrote about Jay-Z

[@NewCreationInChrist896]

We shouldn’t idolize celebrities. #repent

[@rodinmotion4331]

@@NewCreationInChrist896, I think he just have much respect for where and what he came from to where he is now.

[@sabrinadoctor9653]

Micheal Dyson is “ GOAT “ ! 👊🏽❤️

[@SaintFizz]

The dude is a fucking idiot, fuck you talking about.

[@Bluemightymorphanran]

Nick R stfu clown

[@Murdock_]

He's saying a whole lotta words but ain't saying shit.

[@EddieisKrueger]

#BERNIE2020

[@latwian76]

The feds canceled Malcolm X...not the Muslims

[@bomcgee2626]

Eric D, if JayZ is to viewed as " important " he must understand that his roll must be about excellent , you speak so we'll of . Must understand we are watching and waiting for the Good that he has position his self. The biggest test is to show patience with our beloved brother Col K, and work the JayZ magic come to life and work this mass out to a great end . Then and only then will our trust and beliefs will fall behind JayZ. One Nation, Peace

[@E1LTSaves]

If you don't see the worknhe has done and what he is doing as showing Black people that he is fornthe Culture, you will never seenit or respect what he's doing. What you expect is for Jay to drop a million dollars in your bank account, only then would you respect what he's doing. It's all about what you haven't gotten.

[@KingGiL7]

Ms Perez if a snitch lets not forget

[@mpmi7588]

What/who did she snitch on

[@ryno6040]

He did the same with Nas. Jay will forever be on Nas nuts.

[@christopherayettey4390]

Lol

[@E1LTSaves]

This comment is ridiculous. Everything that Jay is into tells you that he's beyond just rap!

[@christopherayettey4390]

@@E1LTSaves soooo trueee!!... Jay is farrrr gone!!!! Totally ahead of the game

[@Anon_ymous8]

One of the most brilliant snake oil salesmen of our time. I too hope to be in a position where I can sell people fools gold when I’m his age.😇

[@JayJay-de5jv]

Look what they doing to da baby cancell culure bs

[@AnthonyfromtheD]

How many people on jay-z payroll lol..

[@dawnbreak3299]

Legit not as many as diddy.... he literally hires people just to keep saying the word "yes"!

[@SACH316-f5c]

@@dawnbreak3299 ROFL

[@soursop1972]

This dude is full of himself and talks circles around himself and in the end saying nothing. Nothing special about Jay-z' s lyrics compared to other rappers of his time.

[@trinamason7537]

Your name fit you well...…...you SOUR my G! Bahahahah.

[@BE-bk1tb]

soursop1972 if you read more and increased your word comprehension you would realize he is saying something. That being said, agreed, Jay-Z is completely overrated.

[@rapafellaurbanpoetry887]

Hov...

[@rekleuzodinra953]

🌽🎱

[@rekleuzodinra953]

Decadent Veil...look it up

[@vincentestone5764]

DR.DYSON, then IF that's what JAY-Z was sayin, why didn't he just say that? Probably because that's what JAY-Z was NOT sayin. You can't ask us to boycott The NFL, then SELLOUT to them. JAY-Z's for JAY-Z.

[@E1LTSaves]

Smh!

[@Moorsho]

I’m not convinced brother,I know it’s hard to critique your friends.

[@jacksond300]

Goat med

[@elleallen1475]

If I see one mo story about j and this dude...enough already damn

[@SACH316-f5c]

LOL

[@kingconscience.1597]

But you're watching nonetheless though...... mmmhmm

[@elleallen1475]

Actually no I didn’t I just commented! Nice try though!

[@E1LTSaves]

He actually teaches a class anout Jay Z, been teaching that class forn10 years. Y'all should research before putting someone down.

[@DERTMY1]

Nas all day

[@Blackuno3]

U want a cookie 🍪 ok

[@E1LTSaves]

Smh! Both of em! They're both Black men.

[@sychophantt]

Dyson talks a lot of meaningless gibberish.

[@eribric5556]

...for example

[@abcmanagement8055]

Jay-z lies in his lyrics we don’t know what to believe.

[@jaysouthphil7505]

I love that he's a positive Black man, but he's soooooo Corny though!

[@dininombewu2484]

Jay SouthPhil what’s wrong with being corny G? This black man is well educated, let’s appreciate that and stop having the word “But” when we give someone credit

[@waltwizzie6391]

Foh

[@daymogeezy]

I dont believe anything this dude says, cuz he in jayz pockets. So I stand with Kap always!!!! Fuq the sucker shyt.