The Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) has opened its doors to a remarkable exhibition honouring one of the most influential figures in hip-hop, music and culture: Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter. The Book of HOV: A TRIBUTE EXHIBITION HONORING JAY-Z, created by Roc Nation in collaboration with BPL, is a free, immersive experience that showcases the life and work of the Brooklyn-born rapper, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
The exhibition features 40,000 square feet of artwork, music, memorabilia, and other larger-scale installations organized into eight chapters, each representing a different aspect of Jay-Z's career and legacy. Visitors can explore never-before-seen images, art and ephemera from the artist's archives and listen to audio commentary and curated playlists by Roc Nation teams and partners.
The Book of HOV was unveiled on July 13, 2023, with a star-studded opening party that surprised Jay-Z. The event also featured a live band playing jazzy renditions of Jay-Z's hits outside the library.
The exhibition is one of the only installations of its scope to be housed in an active public space and aims to attract new visitors to the library and inspire young people to pursue their dreams in the industry. BPL and Roc Nation have also partnered to create 13 limited-edition library cards, each featuring art from an iconic Jay-Z album. The cards are available at all BPL branches while supplies last.
According to Christine Schonhart, the director of the Central Library, accessibility was a top priority for Roc Nation and as such people can attend the cultural experience free of charge.
