Roc Nation

roc nation the book of hov exhibition

The Book of HOV at the Brooklyn Public Library was a landmark exhibition celebrating the life, work, and influence of Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter. The installation featured never-before-seen photos, original recording masters, stage wear, awards, artifacts, and multimedia installations that traced JAY-Z’s nearly three-decade career from his Brooklyn roots to global cultural impact.The exhibition blended art, music, and storytelling through a series of immersive environments, including interactive listening stations and a recreation of Baseline Recording Studios. Among the featured works was a custom sculpture by Daniel Arsham—HOV’s Hands—a cast of JAY-Z’s iconic diamond hand sign, which served as a contemporary artistic centerpiece within the exhibition. Together, the installations framed JAY-Z’s career as both a personal narrative and a broader cultural archive, reinforcing the library’s role as a civic space for shared history and cultural expression.