Brooklyn celebrates one of hip-hop's leading legends

Record ID: 1734060

  • Title: Brooklyn celebrates one of hip-hop's leading legends
  • Date: 14th July 2023
  • Summary: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (JULY 14, 2023) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY, COVERED WITH LYRICS FROM JAY-Z’S SONGS, PART OF EXHIBIT CALLED "THE LIFE OF HOV” VIDEO CUBE OUTSIDE LIBRARY VARIOUS OF PEOPLE LINING UP TO GET INTO EXHIBIT PAN DOWN LIBRARY ENTRANCE TO LINE CLOSE OF LYRICS ON BUILDING EXTERIOR PEOPLE WAITING IN LINE (SOUNDBITE) (English) BROOKLYN RESIDENT, CHEF CHRISSY, SAYING: “I think it's wonderful that they're giving him his flowers while he's still alive. He's an inspiration to all of us. We're all from Brooklyn. He made it, and it's inspiring to me, everyone else that is here on line. I'm excited to see it, and I'm very proud of him.” (SOUNDBITE) (English) SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, RESIDENT, HALSTON CANTY, SAYING: “To be here and to see someone that came from like the projects and make it to where he made it to. I mean, I think that's incredible. Plus his music, his discography, all of that.” (SOUNDBITE) (English) BROOKLYN RESIDENT, KNXTTI [PRONOUNCED ‘NOTTY’], SAYING: “It's dope. It's like an installation for everybody to see. Even if you don't go inside and see it, you know, just passing by. You see it and it is just inspiration. Like, this is a guy that came from this neighborhood in Brooklyn and made it to the point where his lyrics are on the building. So it's just, it's just greatness, just witnessing it, you know?” VARIOUS OF CLIPS FROM JAY-Z’S CONCERTS, INTERVIEWS MEMORABILIA, INCLUDING PHOTO OF JAY-Z WEARING YANKEES BASEBALL CAP (SOUNDBITE) (English) BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY, CENTRAL LIBRARY DIRECTOR, CHRISTINE SCHONHART, SAYING: “Jay-Z's story is a very uniquely Brooklyn story. He grew up in the Marcy Houses, became an entrepreneur, really has become one of hip-hop’s leading legends. And it's also, he's very much into words. So what a more perfect combination than Jay-Z in the Brooklyn Public Library. So I think it's going to be a really exciting exhibit here for people to learn a little bit more about him, too. I think a lot of people think of him as a rapper and don't know about a lot of his social justice and business sides. And I think it’s going to be really exciting for people to look at.” OVERHEAD VIEW OF EXHIBIT VARIOUS OF ALBUM COVER DISPLAY FAN PHOTOGRAPHING JAY-Z JACKET BACK SIDE OF JACKET BASEBALL HOOP, SIGN READING (English) “WHERE I’M FROM” DISPLAY OF SIGN READING (English): “WELCOME TO MARCY HOUSES” (SOUNDBITE) (English) BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY, CENTRAL LIBRARY DIRECTOR, CHRISTINE SCHONHART, SAYING: “It was really important to Roc Nation and it’s super important to the Public Library that this exhibit is in a place that is open and accessible to all. People from all walks of life don't have to pay a fee to get in and see world class objects and learn a story of a true Brooklyn legend right here at Brooklyn Public Library.”
  • Embargoed: 28th July 2023 17:06
  • Keywords: 50th Brooklyn Brooklyn Public Library Jay-Z anniversary exhibit hip hop
  • Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
  • City: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
  • Country: US
  • Topics: Celebrities,Arts/Culture/Entertainment,North America
  • Reuters ID: LVA001718014072023RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: An unusual sight greets pedestrians in Broolyn’s Grand Army Plaza.
    Lyrics by hip-hop artist Jay-Z cover the exterior of the central branch of the public library, and a large video cube plays clips of the artist’s performances.
    People lined up outside the library on Friday (July 14) morning to catch the opening of an immersive exhibit “The Book of HOV” honoring Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, organized by Roc Nation.
    “I think it's wonderful that they're giving him his flowers while he's still alive," said Brooklyn resident Chef Chrissy, who’s been a Jay-Z fan since she was 10-years-old. "He's an inspiration to all of us. We're all from Brooklyn. He made it, and it's inspiring to me, everyone else that is here on line.”
    The exhibit showcases Carter’s ascension from a public housing project in Brooklyn to an international phenomenon.
    It includes artifacts, awards, photos and magazine covers, spanning 27 years since Carter released his debut album Reasonable Doubt in 1996.
    It also features a real-life replica of the interior of Baseline Studios, where the hitmaker recorded albums.
    “Jay-Z's story is a very uniquely Brooklyn story. He grew up in the Marcy Houses, became an entrepreneur, really has become one of hip-hop’s leading legends,” said Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library Director, Christine Schonhart.
    One of the exhibit's goals, Schonhart said, is to attract more visitors and patrons to the library.
    Entry is free-of-charge.
    (Production: Christine Kiernan)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2023. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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