JAY-Z is one of one.
He’s a diamond forged under pressure. His journey is extraordinary, from Bed Stuy’s Marcy Projects to the world stage. But it only looks unlikely from the outside.
JAY-Z set his intentions early. “I saw it all before it came to fruition, sort of a premonition,” he once rhymed. And then, over the decades, he worked to make those intentions happen. “All this pain from the outside inspired all this growth within.” He said that on “God Did.”
The Book of HOV traces JAY-Z’s journey. This tribute spans the library.
As you explore, you’ll encounter visuals, audio stories, and physical artifacts, from more than 25 years of his life. A replica of Baseline Studios, the legendary space where he recorded some of his most influential work. The guitar he played at Glastonbury Festival. And videos of young JAY-Z, speaking his future into existence.
JAY-Z represents so much to so many. A vanguard, a visionary, a genius. A blueprint. His list of firsts is long — in music, culture, and business — and you can learn more about them here.
But those things aren’t what makes him an icon. In any room he walks into, he is himself, always. As you’ll see, hear, and experience in this exhibit, JAY-Z has demonstrated with his whole being that you can set your intentions and create your own story, even when the world tells you otherwise.
The Book of Hov is a tribute to JAY-Z, executive produced by Roc Nation and hosted at the Brooklyn Public Library. Welcome, enjoy, and be inspired.
