Let Gwyneth Paltrow Tell You About How Much She Loves Gangster Rap

Now that they each have their own somewhat pointless “lifestyle” websites, the GOOPy one and the Hova decided to interview each other. Gwynnie takes Jay-Z’s questions on his site, while he fields inquiries on hers. And the results are…strange. Who knew Gwyneth had opinions about gangster rap that are both deeply felt and relatively coherent?

I was fascinated by lyrics as rhythm and how Dre had a such different cadence and perspective from say, Eazy-E, who I thought was one of the most ironic and brilliant voices hip-hop has ever had. It was an accident that I learned every word of Straight Outta Compton and to love something that a.) I had no real understanding of in terms of the culture that it was emanating from and b.) to love something that my parents literally could not grasp. But I was hooked. I can’t remember what I ate for dinner last night but I could sing to you every single word of N.W.A’s “Fuck Tha Police.”

Well. That was very…real. Unfortunately, that’s actually the most interesting thing about Paltrow’s interview, because the rest of Jay-Z’s questions are of the speed-round, Coke-or-Pepsi variety. (Unless, that is, you consider “Biggie or PAC?” “Biggie by miles” a particularly revealing statement.)

Over on GOOP, Gwyneth is comfortably back to her usual Oprah-lite, kale-munching, cashmere-sock-wearing Live Your Richest Life schtick. “As someone who has walked through museums with you, eaten with you, heard music with you,” she asks, “I know firsthand how creativity in all areas lifts your consciousness. Do you feel that as a cultural figure of importance it is part of your responsibility to share what inspires you?” Jay-Z replies, “I think it’s every human’s job to inspire others, to feed one another’s senses. Inspiration begets inspiration times infinity. Imagine if the person that was inspired to create the phonograph didn’t share it with the world.”

Yes. Imagine.

Straight Outta Compton? [Life + Times]
An Interview With Jay-Z On His New Site, Life + Times [GOOP]