Jay Z Honored by UN, Wants a Baby, Plus Check Out the $5m Wedding Ring

Jay Z can now officially add philanthropist to his many titles.  In true Rockefeller fashion, the mogul was recently honored by the United Nations for his humanitarian work in Africa.

At United Nations Global Leadership Awards Gala held on Wednesday in New York (Oct 1,08) he was praised for his efforts to bring clean water to the poor.  The award for his visonary leadership is due to his "Water for Life" initiative and exceptional partnership with the United Nations to reduce child mortality in Africa.  Jay Z has not only donated money but has been diligently working for the past two years to raise money and bring awareness to the world water crisis.

In 2007, Jay Z's "Water for Life" work was featured in an hour long MTV special.

Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, recently toured Africa and was delighted to see his plans come to fruition.  He recently told People.com, "I went to Africa, spent a couple weeks in Angola. A bunch of different places. That was the whole thing for me," he said. "I've given to charities in the past and you close your eyes and cross your fingers and hope that the money gets there. With this I got to go to Africa, I got to see the water pumps, I got to touch it," he went on, "I got to see the kids turn them on."  In his acceptance speech he reiterated that and said, "Tonight, I don't know what I'm doing here, I'm rewarded already."

VIDEO: Jay Z acceptance speech @ UN Gala (10/1)

if you cannot see the video player click here

Jay Z admits to wanting kids

As Jay Z was on the gala's red carpet, reporters asked the recently married rapper if working with kids made him want kids of his own.  He answered by saying, "Most people I guess dream of having a family some day, so I'm just a regular American boy."  Beyonce did not attend the ceremony.

It's the Roc! Checkout Beyonce's $5 Million Wedding Ring

In related news, Beyonce has finally unveiled her wedding ring.  The R&B diva and Jay Z were married in a secret ceremony in April but until now the elusive couple have kept the details of their wedding private, including their marriage rings but UsWeekly recently got a picture and details of the bride's ring.  They claim it's a $5 million, 18-carat flawless diamond set in platinum and designed by Lorraine Schwartz.