Jay-Z was honored last night by the United Nations for his efforts to help aid the water crisis in Africa in 2006.

The Brooklyn rapper partnered with the U.N. and MTV for a special called "The Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life."

Hov had cameras follow him on an international jaunt where he performed at night, but during the day he met with various world leaders. The former Def Jam president donated water pumps to various villages that helped purify drinking water.

"As I started looking around and looking at ways that I could become helpful, it started at the first thing--water, something as simple as water," Jay said at a press conference in 2006 during the kickoff.

As a part of the U.N. Global Leadership Awards Gala, Hov was recognized for his achievement in the humanitarian effort.

The hip-hop icon is still involved in charitable work revolving around Africa.

"Many charities, you close your eyes and cross your fingers and hope that the money gets to the people who really deserve it," Jay told People. "But with this, I got to go to Africa, see the water pumps. I got to see the kids turn them on."---Anthony Thomas

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