The City's His Throne -- The Book of Hov Exhibit

By: Tori Manuel

                                                        The Central Library lobby's tribute to Jay-Z's career via The Book of Hov

For 50 years, the art of hip-hop has continued to evolve and impact countless mainstream genres in the music that we enjoy today. This year, as media pillars pay homage to the lyrical geniuses and creative minds behind some of our favorite tracks and projects, the Brooklyn Public Library recently took things to a whole new level.

As of December 4th, The Book of Hov exhibit concluded its 143 day residency at the Central Library in Grand Army Plaza, located in Brooklyn, New York. The exhibit highlighted the multifaceted and long-standing career of Brooklyn native Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter. The Library has been a pillar in the borough since 1941, providing a fitting and poetic location for the celebration of Jay-Z’s art and his come-up to fame and recognition. The showcase opened its doors to the public on July 14th, with free entry for everyone. Despite initial plans to close in October, due to popular demand and increased library visits, the date was extended.

In fact, according to ABC News the Central Library reported five times its average attendance rates during only the first week of the exhibit’s residency.

Roc Nation, an entertainment company founded by Jay-Z himself in 2008, executive produced the whole tribute featuring his life on record. His origin story from “rags to riches” began in the Marcy projects, a notoriously rough neighborhood in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant. His adolescent years were anything but easy and countless videos dating back to 1996 featured his younger self showing off his effortless lyricism and speaking his future successes into existence. 

Coming from a large family, all raised in one household by generations of women on little earnings, Jay-Z credited his persevering attitude to his loved ones. He grew up believing that he could do anything, and that he did.

With his life story projected across the walls, it made the brilliant imperfections of his past and life journey seem worthy of artistic classification, much like his musical discography and filmography showcased alongside it.

His famous albums dating back to 1996 with the release of “Reasonable Doubt” and approaching recent classics such as “Watch the Throne,” a collaboration with Kanye West in 2011, were all available on vinyl for guests to listen to and enjoy. The exhibit harbored a space for longtime Jay-Z fans and newer listeners to reminisce over essential tracks or become acquainted with new favorites.

                                        Central Library's replica of Baseline Studios via The Book of Hov

Speaking of his discography, many of Jay-Z’s most noteworthy albums were filmed at Baseline Studios, formerly located in Manhattan and a home to Roc-A-Fella records, until the studio’s closure in 2010. In this space Jay-Z fostered an atmosphere uniquely his own and would proceed to create the 4x platinum album “The Black Album,” released in 2003.

A tourable replica of the studio was open for guests to walk through, imagining what it would feel like to spend hours in the space brainstorming and creating the art they enjoy.

“They say you put the right artist with the right track in the studio, leave the door cracked, and let God in,” Jay-Z explained in archived footage from The Book of Hov.

After having tested and acquired new skills in the realm of music and beyond, Gayle King, a broadcast journalist for CBS News, recently asked Jay-Z where his values lie and what matters to him the most during this current era of his career. 

“I think what matters most today is being a beacon and helping out my culture, people of color,” Jay-Z began during this CBS Mornings primetime special. “I think I pull the most satisfaction from that. Making music, early, was my first love.. I could sit there for hours, it consumed me… and I think now the idea of taking that platform and reproducing it for others or doing something like reform etc... I think I derive the most joy from that.”

American hip-hop is an art form in which its infrastructure incorporates both east and west coast influences. At the heart of the genre lies community, created over shared experiences, the expression of stories, and the creation of new sounds. Jay-Z’s innate talent and substantial career repeatedly solidify him as “The Blueprint” in his domain, continuing to pave the way for future generations.