Art Exhibit
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Source: Kevin Mazur / Getty
The Carter family has another reason to be proud. JAY-Z and his mother were honored at the annual Brooklyn Public Library gala for their philanthropic efforts.
The New York Times is reporting that the mogul and his mom were both given a special distinction in their beloved borough. They were honored for their joint efforts to bring balance to America’s educational system via their Shawn Carter Foundation. On Monday, October 2 the invite only event was held at the main branch of the facility. While Gloria Carter was not in attendance the “Empire State Of Mind” MC was joined by Desiree Perez, senior executive at Roc Nation. Also in the house were other high profile names including Gayle King, Mayor Eric Adams, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, Clara Wu Tsai who co-owns The Brooklyn Nets while Questlove provided the music. JAY-Z was introduced by Senator Chuck Schumer who made multiple references to Hov’s biggest songs.
“As Senate majority leader, I got 99 problems,” joked the politician. “By the way,” Schumer said, “I live across the street and I wake up every morning reading your lyrics,” referring to the rapper’s lyrics that brand the outside of the library. Wearing a black tuxedo JAY-Z took the stage and made it clear he was humbled by the “Book Of Hov” exhibit. “I thought maybe it was like a small room, and it was more than what I deserved,” he explained. “I walked in, and I saw this incredible display. And my [grandmother] Hattie White got to see it,” he added. “She just turned 98 years old, and she’s seen a lot of things. That experience was just overwhelming”.
According to the website the Shawn Carter Foundation provides “college scholarships for young people who have talent and drive but due to mitigating circumstances their grade point averages fall below the minimum to qualify for support at other foundations and institutions.”
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Source: Kevin Mazur / Getty
A new surprise exhibit dedicated to highlighting the impact of Jay-Z has debuted at the Brooklyn Public Library, complete with his lyrics adorning the building.
The new exhibit, titled The Book of HOV, made its debut to the public officially on Friday (July 14). “He navigated the gritty streets of Brooklyn’s Marcy Projects to the halls of Roc Nation, and now he shines as one of the brightest stars in our constellation. With his rhymes sharper than a knife and beats hotter than a summer in the city, JAY-Z is a beacon of hope for those who dare to dream beyond the confines of their circumstances,” said a statement from the exhibit’s website.
Source: Kevin Mazur / Getty
The exhibit is styled like chapters in a book and spans the entirety of the main branch of the library, with lyrics from “Justify My Thug” and “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” decorating the curved facade of the building’s main entrance to greet visitors. Inside, there are various installations showing off memorabilia from the rap icon’s career including a down-to-the-detail full-scale recreation of the place where Jay-Z recorded many of the hits he’s known for, Baseline Recording Studios. Other parts of the exhibit feature turntables that play vinyl records containing his hits and the samples that helped to create them and one area that encourages young visitors to craft paper planes in homage to one of his companies.
Chief executive of the Brooklyn Public Library, Linda E. Johnson, worked closely with Sandra Perez, the president of Roc Nation to make the exhibit come alive. That includes Roc Nation footing the entirety of the bill for it, including a donation to a gala in October at the library where Jay-Z and his mother, Gloria Carter, will be honored. “People thought I was a little out of my mind,” Johnson said when interviewed. “I don’t think I’d be going out on a limb to say that this is the biggest exhibition we’ve ever done.” There will also be 13 limited edition library card variations based on each of Jay-Z’s albums available for those who sign up.
“The Book of HOV” will be on display throughout the rest of the summer. More information can be found on its website.
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