Culture June 1, 2021

Jay-Z shares why he learned to swim after Blue Ivy was born

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Once upon a time, Jay-Z didn't know how to swim -- but that all changed after he became a father.

During an appearance on HBO Max's "The Shop: Uninterrupted," the 51-year-old rap legend said he learned to swim after daughter Blue Ivy, who is now 9 years old, was born in 2012.

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"I didn't learn how to swim until Blue was born," Jay-Z began. "There goes everything you need to know. This is a metaphor for our relationship."

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Jay-Z and Blue Ivy Carter attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers on March 8, 2020 in Los Angeles.

"If she ever fell in the water and I couldn't get her, I couldn't even fathom that thought," he continued. "I gotta learn how to swim. That's it. That was the beginning of our relationship."

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In addition to Blue Ivy, Jay-Z also shares 3-year-old twins Rumi and Sir with wife Beyoncé.