JAY-Z And Beyoncé Posed In Front Of A Jean-Michel Basquiat Painting And Folks Are Calling Their Drip Problematic

The critics described Basquiat as a anti-capitalist who would have scoffed at the idea of two billionaires posing in front of his art to sell diamonds.

Two tone-deaf billionaires posing next to a painting created by an exceptional person who detested corporatism and greed, hmmm…

— Ale Levins (@AleLevins) August 23, 2021

Some wanted the couple to move out of the way and allow people to enjoy the art.

Why do we need them standing in front of it let’s just see the art it’s amazing

— MooseNoSquirrel (@squirrel_no) August 23, 2021

There were also several fans who came to defend JAY-Z and Beyoncé.

WOW!!! I love how Jay Z has adopted Basquiat's famous hair for this shoot! Beautiful! ^..^

— Lori Bravo (@LORIBRAVO6) August 23, 2021

Some Twitter users said the couple actually understand and admire the history of Basquiat.

You should know Jay owns some of his pieces. He is an avid art lover. But go off

— lɐuoıssǝɟoɹԀ uɐqɹ∩ ǝɥ⊥ ™️ (@T_the_Resister) August 23, 2021

As some people noted, JAY-Z makes a reference to the artist in his song, "Picasso Baby."

"I'm the new Jean-Michel," JAY-Z raps in the track featured in his album, Magna Carta Holy Grail. 

The rapper also drops Basquiat's name in other parts of the song, according to U.S. News. 

They own Basquiats fam… Jay been rapping about Basquiat since AT LEAST Magna Carta Holy Grail and that was 2013 — almost 10 years ago.

— M. K. Turner (@marvinkturner) August 23, 2021

Social media users also noted the couple's love of art. The pair proved their admiration for art in 2018 when they dropped the music video for “Apes**t,” which showed JAY-Z and Beyoncé flexing in front of the Mona Lisa and other stunning art work at the Louvre, according to Time.

They are super fans of paintings

— AngryBird (@AngryBi50471619) August 23, 2021

Basquiat was born in Brooklyn in 1960, nine years before JAY-Z was born in the same city. The painter began his art career on the streets, where he gained notoriety for his graffiti work. A 1985 New York Times piece titled "New Art, New Money" told the story of Basquiat's rise to fame.

"Five years ago, he didn't have a place to live. He slept on the couch of one friend after another. He lacked money to buy art supplies," the article stated. "Now, at 24, he is making paintings that sell for $10,000 to $25,000. They are reproduced in art magazines and also as part of fashion layouts, or in photographs of chic private homes in House & Garden."

The artist was 27 years old when he died in 1988 from a drug overdose, according to HITC.