Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter is not just a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee but the first hip-hop artist to enter the Songwriters Hall of Fame and a 25-time Grammy Award winner. He is a cultural architect whose pioneering vision has redefined music and business, solidifying his legacy as a global icon.
Few artists have reshaped music and culture like JAY-Z, whose influence stretches beyond music into fashion, art and entrepreneurship, establishing him as a dominant force in popular culture.
To honor his monumental impact, Assouline and Roc Nation have published The Book of HOV: A Tribute To JAY-Z, a celebration of JAY-Z’s groundbreaking career with a collector’s masterpiece that is more than just a book – it is an immersive experience. The title commemorates and immortalizes the first-of-its-kind exhibit, The Book of HOV: A Tribute, held at the Brooklyn Public Library from July to December 2023. The installation attracted over 600,000 visitors, making it one of the largest public exhibitions in US history and underscoring JAY-Z’s cultural significance.
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The Ultimate edition of The Book of HOV: A Tribute To JAY-Z is a lavish artifact that commands attention with its expansive dimensions of 16 x 19 inches, presented in a luxurious clamshell case. This visually stunning 432-page volume, with over 675 illustrations, features original photography from the legendary photographer Koto Bolofo alongside stunning portraiture and live concert photos of JAY-Z throughout his career. Each page is a visual timeline of JAY-Z’s journey from his first album to international icon.
The Ultimate The Book Of HOV: A Tribute To JAY-Z offers an unparalleled glimpse into JAY-Z’s professional life, showcasing thousands of archived objects, including original recording masters, stage wear, interviews, videos, awards and never-before-seen photographs.
From the guitar he played at the Glastonbury Festival, where he became the first rapper to headline, to Daniel Arsham’s sculpture “HOV Hands” and his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame award, the book highlights his monumental achievements. It even features hundreds of paper planes with dreams written by schoolchildren across New York City, which graced the ceiling of the children’s section of the Brooklyn Public Library.
Structured into eight chapters, each titled from JAY-Z’s lyrics, The Book of HOV: A Tribute to JAY-Z not only celebrates his storied career but invites readers to experience his legacy and impact for generations to come.
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