Legendary rapper Jay-Z played the first-ever show at the Barclays Center on Friday night, packing the new arena with a hometown crowd eager to welcome the native son back to Brooklyn.
Wearing a Brooklyn Nets jersey and cap, the rapper from the Marcy Projects who owns a tiny stake in the basketball team took the stage inside the $1-billion stadium and asked: “Is Brooklyn in the house?”
It was a moment that hoops fans and critics of the long-stalled Atlantic Yards mega-project agree will change the borough forever.
“This is history in the making,” said 27-year-old Jay-Z fan Myrtha Xavier, who came from Staten Island to see the performance. “He’s the highest-ranked hip hop artist and no one can take that from him.”
In the hours before the sold-out show, fans of Jay-Z’s music milled about outside the arena, while movers and shakers strolled down a black carpet (red doesn’t match the Nets color scheme) lit by the flashbulbs of press photographers. Amid the hustle and bustle, protesters staged last-minute demonstrations against the long-stalled Atlantic Yards development, which calls for far more than hoops and hip hop concerts, as well as NYPD policy.
Jay-Z took the stage and debuted a new verse before welcoming a crowd packed with celebrities including his wife Beyonce, future Nets players, sports legends including Magic Johnson, and arena developer Bruce Ratner to “the house HOV built.”
The emcee, also known as Jigga-Man, then went through his repertoire of classics such as “Izzo (H.O.V.A)” and “99 Problems,” as well as a cover of the late Clinton Hill legend Notorious B.I.G.’s hit “Juicy.”
Lovers of Jay-Z’s music said his rags-to-riches life story is as inspirational as his New York City ballad “Empire State of MInd.”
“He was dirt poor and now he’s a big deal entrepreneur. You gotta respect that,” said 27-year-old Quintin Potte, also of Staten Island. “I hope he brings out Alicia Keys for that New York song.”
Others went even further to take Jay-Z’s business-minded approach to heart.
“We’re hustling tonight,” said Watts Hopkins, who camped out in front of the stadium to sell glow-in-the-door “grills” — illuminated dental adornments that fans could clip onto their teeth.
Night Light: It’s possible (but not very likely) that the Barclays Center can be seen from space. It all depends on the specs of the alien optics.
Photo by Stefano Giovannini
Open for business: Brooklyn-born rapper and Brooklyn Nets part-owner Jay-Z christened the new Barclays Center on Friday, performing the first of eight concerts there.
Photo by Paul Martinka
Soapbox Derby part 1: “Occupy Wall Street” protesters showed up early as well.
Photo by Paul Martinka
Soapbox Derby part 2: Anti-arena protester Daniel Goldstein and arena supporter Samuel Gaito of Flatbush have a heated argument outside the Barclays Center.
Photo by Paul Martinka
Train of thought: The sun went down and the people came up. Plenty of attendees took the subway, which has a new entrance at the arena, to the concert.
Photo by Stefano Giovannini
From near and far: Attendees Justina Omokhugi (left, from Harlem), Bozoma Saintjohn (center, from Harlem), and Erika Priestley (right, from Los Angeles) had their tickets at the ready.
Photo by Stefano Giovannini
Just far: Frances James (left) and Saida Cherry came from Los Angeles to see the show.
Photo by Stefano Giovannini
Soapbox derby part 3: There were plenty of protests at the grand opening — and not all of them focused on the controversial arena. Fatima Shakur of Bedford-Stuyvesant lashed out against police brutality.
Photo by Stefano Giovannini
Soapbox derby part 4: And Christina Gonzales of Harlem is against the police department’s — and Jay-Z’s — stand on stop-and-frisk tactics.
Photo by Stefano Giovannini
Soapbox derby part 5: This protest was against the just-built arena.
Photo by Stefano Giovannini
Rail roading: These guys will tell you that It’s easy to get from Montauk to the Barclays Center without having to drive.
Photo by Stefano Giovannini
On guard: A “pedestrian safety guard” sings as he directs traffic and people.
Photo by Stefano Giovannini
Night on the Brooklyn town: The Barclays Center was the place to be.
Photo by Stefano Giovannini
Star gazing: Jay-Z fans await the glitteratti at the VIP entrance.
Photo by Stefano Giovannini
Stacked house: Nets guard Jerry Stackhouse was one of the many celbrities in attendance.
Photo by Stefano Giovannini
Martinka-ing: A gala opening isn’t a gala opening unless CNG photographer Paul Martinka is spotted doing what he does best.
Photo by Stefano Giovannini
Jay-wow: Finally, the Brooklyn-born rapper hit the stage.
Associated Press / Evan Agostini
Safe at home: It was the firt time Jay-Z performed at an arena in his hometown. Barbra Streisand will make her return to the borough on Oct. 11.
