Jay-Z has finally settled the online debate about whether a meeting with him is better than getting $500,000

• Jay-Z says fans should take $500,000 over having dinner with him if they're given the option.
• The mogul said in a CBS interview that his own plan of success is laid out in the words of his songs.

The "dinner with Jay-Z or $500,000" debate has plagued the internet for years, and its subject has finally given his take on the query.

On Monday, Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter told CBS Mornings host Gayle King that he would advise people against having a meal with him in lieu of a six-figure payday.

"You've gotta take the money," he said in the interview. "Take the $500,000, go buy some albums, and listen to the albums. It's all there."

The 53-year-old billionaire said those hoping to discover a financial blueprint by speaking to him can instead hear "all that in the music for $10.99."

It all started on X, formerly Twitter, when one user asked if people would rather have $500,000 or the chance to meet with rapper-turned-mogul Jay-Z for lunch or dinner. According to Know Your Meme, the question was first posed in 2017, and it has periodically gained popularity on X ever since.

While some entrepreneurs justified their choice by saying the wisdom Jay-Z would offer over dinner could eventually be worth more than a $500,000 payout.

Their answers may change now that Jay-Z has made it clear which option he'd choose.

"I wouldn't tell you to cut a bad deal," he said on CBS Mornings.

The controversial question became the subject of sarcastic memes from those who thought the money was the obvious choice. It's lived on for years, and the star has even been approached by fans with their answer.

Although he's well aware of the debate, Jay-Z isn't very active on his public social media accounts. His last post on X was in August 2022.

Jay-Z partnered with the Brooklyn Public Library for "The Book of HOV" exhibit detailing his life and work.