If somebody told you that Forbes arranged a meeting between two of the most powerful business men in the world, you would probably guess someone like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs (awkward much?). However, this wasn’t the case in September when a man dubbed the “Oracle of Omaha” met with one of the most influential rappers of all time. Warren Buffett, who commands millions of dollars from CEOs of major companies to sit down for lunch with him, agreed to meet with Jay-Z and Forbes at his favourite diner- free of charge of course. Jay-Z flew to Nebraska to meet with Warren Buffet and Steve Forbes in Buffett’s hometown.
What could a rapper and an investor possibly talk about, or even have in common? You’d be surprised. In the video interview Buffett and Jay-Z share stories of their childhood and growing up in a privileged white family and in the rough Brooklyn projects, respectively. I found it extremely interesting watching such successful yet polar opposite people discussing how each of them made something of their lives and had common values. Furthermore, it wasn’t simply an indifferent meeting between strangers, it was about two people discovering they shared similarities and having respect for each other.
