Jay-Z and Gayle King: Brooklyn’s Own’ Takes Me to Memory Lane

It's November 14, 2023. This is the first post that I have made on this site in 10 years. The previous post is about Magna Carter Holy Grail and it was released on July 4, 2013. Alexa confirmed that. Crazy, she wasn't even a thing then. Today I happened to Google Jay-Z and saw there's a special with him and Gayle King on CBS tonight titled Brooklyn's Own. Let me backtrack and tell you the rabbit hole I went down and what I inspired me to make this post. I was watching Scream IV, on Tubi, which came out in 2011. I hadn't seen anything Scream related in years. As I'm watching, the cop, Dewey (David Arquette) gets out of the bed and then it flashes to his wife Gayle (Courtney Cox) rolling over in the bed. I'm like, "Wow, weren't they married in real life?" So I do what we all do and ask Google - Who is Courtney Cox's husband and who is David Arquette's wife? Then I decide to search Beyonce's husband for some reason, then I search Jay-Z and the info about the special comes up. I'm like "Wow, I would have never known". Alexa will be reminding me at 8:55 to tune into CBS to watch. I immediately start to reminisce about my fandom and how much I was into music and pop culture when I was a kid/teenager. It's like thinking back the good old days. I used to have posters all over my bedroom wall and door of everybody from Ginuwine, Aaliyah, Mase. I used to even write the fan clubs and actually got a autographed picture of Ray J, when he was Brandy's little brother. I had soo many CD's and magazine they're all in a suitcase in storage now. :-/ I remember being in high school and college running this site, buying all the magazines that The Carters were on, recording shows that they were featured on VHS and then uploading those to my computer, going to the Computer Hall on campus just to make updates. When I thought about the site I decided to pull it up and low and behold I didn't have a problem logging into blogger because it's linked to my google email. Soo much has changed! When I started there was no Instagram, no Twitter or Tik Tok. We didn't have as much access to celebrities as we do today. Many of the videos and photos on this site aren't clickable because the sites they were uploaded to aren't operating or the accounts have been deleted. I had dial-up internet at one point! I used to keep the phone lines tied up at home. Cell phones were not like they are today. I got my first cell phone in 2003-2004. It wasn't even a flip phone; it was a Nokia and took about 10 minutes to send a text. LOL Youtube ended up coming along later and I stayed getting copyright infringement notices. All of the knowledge I had on how to do anything like coding came from what I was taught in my high school keyboard class and some of the computer science courses I took in college. I taught myself a lot of stuff with graphics as well on whatever programs I could download for free. Once I graduated I ended up moving out of state. I kid you not, when I got my first job (with a temp agency) I was working that job (supposed to be registering boats with state) and was trying to make updates on the company computer. At some point, I guess I didn't have time for it anymore. I started having less time in 2009 then seems like I completely drifted off in 2013. My fandom for The Carters has never died. I just didn't have as much time to put into this with work and everything. Being on the internet back then was still messy, toxic and full of drama. Honestly, I was engulfed in it because I cared about what people said. I don't care or get emotionally caught up in a lot of stuff nowadays. I've been a fan of these people for years and always will be. They're Legends. I still support them, I still tune in. I like them as individuals. I wish them and their families well. It's really amazing to see how far they've come. I was a fan back when were they just dating and not even sitting next to each other at award shows. Now, here there are with three kids and billions. There are so many memories that are coming back to me now. My life has changed so much in the last 10 years. I moved from the I guess part of getting older is not being so up to date on everything. All of this is a very sweet part of my youth. I'm still digitally creative and do little things here and there through work or for nonprofits. I wish I'd kept up with coding. I could be building websites as a side hustle today. I'm making this post so that the next time I go down memory lane and decide to visit this site this post will sort of be a timestamp. Someone may come across this site. Personally, I've moved three times in the last 13 years. I made a full circle so where I am now is back home and this is where I want to be. I've lost the closest person ever to me, my Mother and that's been an adjustment but her love keeps me going. She would have wanted for me to keep going so I do it for her. The Lord is my strength because on my own I'm weak, I'm nothing. I'm an only child so it feels like I'm trying to find my tribe most of the time. Other than that, I'm really out here living young, responsible :) and free. If anyone would want to contact me for any reason, please email belmontqueen17@gmail.com. CharliRocs was my name internet name back then so you're fine to call me Charli.

Magna Carta Holy Grail

Jay-Z @ So So Def 25 Anniversary Concert

Video: Suit x Tie

JT x Jay-Z Perform Suit & Tie in New Orleans

Jay-Z & Beyonce arriving at Inauguration 2013

Pics: Jay-Z x Beyonce at 2013 Presidential Inauguration

"Suit & Tie" Justin Timberlake ft. Jay-Z

"Suit x Tie" Justin Timberlake ft. Jay-Z

Jay-Z & Cold Play Ring in the New Year!

Jay-Z took the stage at Brooklyn, N.Y.'s Barclays Center at 11:59pm on New Year's Eve Monday night and rang in 2013 with Coldplay's Chris Martin singing along to "Auld Lang Syne." The singer and the rapper hugged, and then the stage was Jay's. In a double-bill show that took place half in one year and half in another, Coldplay -- who had the night's first set -- had been a riot of color and movement all over the arena, while Jay, in a dark tux, stood mostly alone on stage putting a laser focus on his rapid-fire rhymes.

Fans packed in to the arena well before Coldplay took the stage just before 10pm (celebs including Christina Aguilera and One Direction's Harry Styles were also in the house Monday night). Soon Barclays was alight with the synchronized blinking of the multi-colored lights on the bracelets each concertgoer had been given upon entering. Chris Martin, here parked at a piano, there vaulting around the stage, was a blur of energy as the band's 15-song set launched whole-crowd sing-a-longs ("The Scientist," "Paradise"), confetti canons, and even a herd of world-map beach balls unleashed on the audience. For "Princess of China," Rihanna appeared only as a multi-armed image on the screens throughout the space, her part of the duet a mere recording. "Viva La Vida" and "Yellow," meanwhile, won over revelers with just the music itself.

Early on, Martin asked the crowd to "please have a good time," and "cherish the people you love." Nearing the end of the 80-minute set, during which Martin name checked Jay-Z a handful of times, the band appeared suddenly on a platform in the middle of the 100 level sections to sing the ballad "Us Against The World," for the times when you and yours "feel like you can take on anything." The group's trek through the fan-filled floor all the way back to the mainstage elicited growing cheers that only increased when they launched into "Clocks," it's circular piano part and Martin's cooing "oohs" drowned out by the audience. But the applause and whistles and yells of approval reached a crescendo when Jay-Z, casual in a white t-shirt, took the stage to join Coldplay on "Lost."
DJ Cassidy spun old school jams from Michael Jackson to Journey as the crew converted Coldplay's Technicolor graffiti'd backdrop into Jay-Z's simple, black stage and the clock ticked so close to midnight, the ringing in of the new year was almost an anti-climax. But at literally the last moment, Jay appeared in his dapper suit and counted down the last seconds to 2013.

But with 2012 over, Jay was just getting started as he rolled into a non-stop 25-song set that opened with "Run This Town."

"I don't know how I'm going to top 2012," Jay said, looking like he wasn't worried a bit and biting into "On to the Next One" as arms waved and yet another cheer went up. As "Hovi Baby," "Feelin' It," "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It To Me)," and especially "Izzo (H.O.V.A)" sped by, Jay rapped without seeming to take a breath, to barely stop, and making it all look easy, inspiring applause for every break when the music stopped and it was just his voice in a torrent of rhymes filling the whole arena alone.

"I want to thank you. You could have been anywhere in the world tonight. but you're here in the m***fu**kin' Barclays Center," he said, a New York native clearly proud to be part owner of the venue.

The only hint of his exertion was the sweat streaming down his face, but otherwise Hova held sway over the crowd, calling for waiving arms here, shouts there, bringing us up for "Big Pimpin'" before taking it down to quiet a serious moment. "I'm from Brooklyn, just thought I'd remind you we're going to rule the world in 2013. And in order to do that don't let anybody hold you back or put their anxieties or fears on you." And with that he had the whole crowd give the finger to the haters. He brought the mood all the way back up to deafening as he and everyone else boomed into "99 Problems," while he visited the front rows in style to give those fans a New Year's taste of his champagne, saying, "I want you to feel how I feel."

His set wasn't even half over. Over two dozen songs crammed into an hour and a half, as he continued with Rick Ross' "3 Kings," "Money Ain't a Thang" (which he originally did with Jermaine Dupri), G.O.O.D. Music's "Clique" and his own "Can I Get A…" and "La La La (Excuse Me Again)."

Coldplay's Chris Martin joined Jay for a third time for "Heart of The City," Martin's tenor providing counterpoint to Hova's baritone rhymes.

Chants of "Hova, Hova" erupted from the crowd unbidden as Jay-Z got to the "I came, I saw, I conquered" line from "Encore." Afterward, he hinted that New Year's Eve live in Brooklyn could become a tradition for him. "Our goal is to do this every year," he said. "2014, you gonna rock with us?"

With so many music celebs in town for the holidays and such a long tradition of guest spots at Jay-Z's shows, it was perhaps the biggest surprise of the night held no unannounced performers. Other than singer Bridget Kelly, who did the hook on a couple of tunes including Alicia Keys' half of the set-ending "Empire State of Mind," and the walk-on by Chris Martin, the spotlight was on Jay-Z during his set. That seemed to suit every ticketholder just fine.

"I really wouldn't want to be anywhere else to ring in 2013," Jay said as the clock ticked toward 1:30am, Radiohead's "Everything In Its Right Place" played in the background, and the show came to a close. "2012 was a major year for me, it was the birth of my beautiful daughter Blue, it was the birth of this building. Tonight I feel like I'm in the right place. I wish you the best 2013 possible. Peace and love." [Billboard]

Pictures after the jump!

Gotta Keep It Fresh 12.30.2012

Jay's Apparel from Sunday's Brooklyn Net's game.

Hooligans Crew by RichKids [Release date 1/7/2013] $65 //
Nike Air Force 180 High Retro "Photo Blue" $180 // Brooklyn Nets Hat $25-35

Favorite Moments of 2012: Excuse Me Kanye...

Favorite Moments of 2012: Made in America

Jay-Z curated the very first Made in America Festival in Philadelphia during Labor Day Weekend. Performers included everyone one from Jay to Run DMC, D'Angelo and Pearl Jam.  The two-day festival drew over 50,000 concert goers and raised millions of dollars. A documentary is also in the works with legendary director Ron Howard. More footage here.

Favorite Moments of 2012: Barclays Center

The Nets finally made it to Brooklyn. Jay-Z opened the Barclays Center with eight shows. Take a look at the documentary spotlighting his concert series.

More Barclay's Center

Favorite Moments of 2012: Hip Hop at Carnegie

Jay-Z was the first hip hop artist to headline a concert at the prestigious Carnegie Hall. Two Nights, all white, and a few special guests. Here are some performance videos below.

Favorite Moments of 2012: The Carters Host President Obama

Enough Said.

Favorite Moments of 2012: Little Miss Blue

The birth of Little Miss Blue Ivy Carter was definitely a moment in my ten years of Jay and Bey fandom. I recall the tweets of the relatives of those who worked at the hospital saying that Jay-Z and Beyonce were there Saturday night and that the baby had arrived. I awoke Sunday morning and immediately grabbed my phone to check Twitter (that was part of my morning routine). The reports had pretty much been confirmed that "Ivy Blue Carter" had been born. I then proceeded to roll around the bed while laughing my ass off because I knew the hoopla that was about to begin over her name. Let's be honest! You can't give that child a regular name like Ashley or Brittany. It's not fitting. I think her name is unique and personal, just like her lifestyle.




A day later, Jay dropped "Glory". Talk about the tears that streamed. This is definitely one of his most personal, emotional and beautiful songs.  I'm sure Blue will cherish this when she gets older. 

A month later, the Carters shared her with us on on tumblr. Sidenote: I always felt they were going to have a little girl (it was 'Beach Chair' that did it for me) and I just knew she was going to be gorgeous. But when I saw the pictures of her, I was like "OMG! OMG! OMG! Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Gorgeous!" Those are still stop and stare pictures 11 months later. 







I'm very happy for them. Children are beautiful gifts and she is representation of their love. I respect the way they have handled relationship. They have been together for years. I think it shows that they are strong, committed, and truly love each other.