story of hip-hop legend JAY-Z celebrated in 'book of HOV' brooklyn exhibition

Brooklyn Public Library pays tribute to Jay-Z

On August 11th, 2023, the world celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Hip-hop musical genre and its emergence as a global cultural phenomenon. Amidst these celebrations, the Brooklyn Public Library unveils a new exhibition dedicated to Hip-Hop mogul JAY-Z, also known as Shawn Carter. The exhibition, titled Book of HOV, showcases an exclusive collection of previously unreleased images, art pieces, and ephemera sourced directly from the artist’s personal archives. The display also features works by prominent artists like Henry Taylor and Daniel Arsham.

the entrance of the Brooklyn Public Library | all images courtesy of Brooklyn Public Library

Unveiling the Book of HOV

Presented in chapters, the Book of HOV exhibition which is named after Jay-Z’s other nickname, HOV (short for J-Hova), celebrates ‘the phenomenal story of a man who turned adversities into stepping stones,’ according to the team at the Brooklyn Public Library (find more here). The building’s exterior is adorned with lyrics from songs like Sweet and Encore, giving it the appearance of an open book.

Upon entering, the exhibition takes over the library’s atrium, mezzanine, and a portion of its Youth Wing to spotlight the impact of the Hip-Hop icon through a selection of artworks, awards, media coverage clippings, and previously unseen photographs. Visitors can also explore an array of original recording masters, iconic stage attire, and other assorted memorabilia that encompass every aspect of JAY-Z’s professional journey. Among the exclusive memorabilia is the guitar he played at the 2008 Glastonbury Festival, a handwritten letter from Frank Sinatra’s daughter dating back to 2009, and his 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Award.

the building’s exterior is adorned with lyrics from the legendary rapper’s songs

artworks by Henry Taylor and Daniel Arsham

The entire exhibition is enhanced with artworks that draw inspiration from JAY-Z by several renowned artists. Notably, the collection showcases a JAY-Z portrait by American painter Henry Taylor, which he specifically crafted for the cover of T Magazine. Moreover, the expansive collage mural in the library’s lobby by Jazz Grant is an assemblage of hand-cut and scanned archive imagery on laminated vinyl. An additional highlight of the exhibit is a sculpture named ‘HOV’s Hands’ by Daniel Arsham. This sculpture, created from volcanic ash, pyrite, selenite, and hydrostone, showcases Arsham’s distinctive eroded aesthetic and captures JAY-Z’s iconic hand gesture trademark.

The immersive exhibition curated by Roc Nation is on view until October 2023. Even if visiting the Brooklyn library in person isn’t feasible, Hip-Hop fans still have the chance to engage with the show through an interactive Book of HOV website (find more here). The website offers a comprehensive breakdown of the exhibit’s contents, presented in a chapter-by-chapter format, and narrated by the esteemed New York radio personality, Angie Martinez.

the exhibition features previously unreleased images, art pieces, and ephemera sourced from the artist’s personal archives