JAY-Z’s always knows how to get the people going, and with his latest endeavor he has them going to the library, or at least signing up for library cards. Yes, you read that right.
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In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, Roc Nation and the Brooklyn Public Library have teamed up to the release 13 limited edition library cards featuring artwork from JAY-Z’s albums.
According to the New York Public Library, a South Bronx house party in 1973 is credited as the birthplace of hip-hop when DJ Kool Herc found a way to isolate the percussion and repeat the “break” on the vinyl he was spinning.
Also born and bred in Brooklyn, Bed-Stuy to be exact, JAY’s initiative with the library, which ends later this month, has already resulted in 14,000 new library accounts, according to spokesperson for the Brooklyn Public Library, as reported by CNN.
In addition to the cards, the library is also showcasing an exhibit, dubbed The Book of HOV, that explores JAY-Z’s life and career with rare photos, original recordings, videos and other artifacts.
“The community’s enthusiastic response to this exhibition is a testament to JAY-Z’s immense impact,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO of the Brooklyn Public Library.
The JAY-Z-themed library cards are available for free for New York State residents. New Yorkers can collect all 13 versions. However, only one will be activated to a Brooklyn Public library account to check out resources, according to a library spokesperson.
Other NYC library systems have also released dedicated cards in honor of Hip-Hop’s anniversary, as well as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in collaboration with Universal Music Enterprises, with limited-edition MetroCards featuring New-York-born artists including LL Cool J, Pop Smoke, Rakim and Cam’ron.
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