Jay-Z made some declarations out this weekend about the much -mediatized altercation between Chris Brown and Rihanna.

"It's not a sound bite, this is a real and difficult problem ," Jay declared reporters in Arizona. "If you can't have mercy and compassion for others ... just imagine it being your sister or your mom or someone like that, then think about how you should talk about that.

The rapper was formerly president and CEO of Island Def Jam Records, Rihanna's current label, and presided over her singing and career at the beginnings . Rihanna, Young Jeezy, Ne-Yo and Rick Ross were among the artists who thrived during Jay's stint as an executive at the label, which ended in May 2007.