When Oprah went on record saying that Jay-Z was
her new best friend, it left more than a few people scratching their
heads, asking a collective, “how the hell did that happen?” It’s
simple, actually. As the pair met up in Jay-Z’s old neighborhood to do
a spot for Oprah’s O Magazine, the rapper presented three qualities
that Ms. Winfrey just couldn’t resist.
1. He Smelled Good
We’re not sure if Jay-Z was wearing one of his Rocawear signature
brands of cologne, but Oprah, like most women, appreciates a nice,
lasting scent on a man. “He smelled so good,” Winfrey said. “And it’s
that kind of thing where you hug a guy, and the scent is sort of buried
in them. When we went to the second location, I could still smell him
on me. It was like, ‘Oh, this is wonderful.’ “
2. He’s Smart
As much as women enjoy expressing their abiding love for men “with
swagger,” they also want that man to be intelligent. That point has
never been lost on Jay, who diligently works to sharpen his intellect.
“The thing about him, and everyone says this is, about how smart he
is,” Winfrey shared. “And I mean really; he is very, very smart. He’s
just so gifted.”
3. He’s Open
As a lyricist, communication on wax has always been his forte. But just
like men who can talk-the-talk over e-mail, it was imperative for his
communication skills to translate face-to-face with Oprah. They did.
“It was a great interview,” Winfrey said. “That’s the thing about doing
a magazine interview, because we really got a chance to talk. At the
end of the day, I really felt like I made a good friend.”
The Bottom Line:
There’s nothing innovative about Jay-Z’s approach with Oprah. By
focusing on style, intelligence and communication, the Brooklyn,
N.Y.-born rapper tapped into a winning formula that successful men have
been using for years. –dewayne rogers
