Jay-Z This, Jay-Z That

Jay-Z This Jay-Z That

Big Apple Big Dogs - Jay-Z and Alicia Keys close out the 2009 VMAs with a special performance of "Empire State of Mind" at Radio City Music Hall.

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Big Apple Big Dogs - Jay-Z and Alicia Keys close out the 2009 VMAs with a special performance of "Empire State of Mind" at Radio City Music Hall.

Clean Up Man - The lyrics to Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" are sometimes as raw as New York, but it looks like the rapper cleaned up that language when he performed his city’s anthem during game 2 of the World Series.

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Yankee Fanatic - Pushing the Bronx Bombers into the playoffs with his Brooklyn support, Shawn Carter waves to a couple Yankee fans at Yankee Stadium.

It's The Roc - Urging everyone to get their diamonds in the sky, Jay-Z performs at the All Points West Festival in Jersey City, New Jersey.

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It's The Roc - Urging everyone to get their diamonds in the sky, Jay-Z performs at the All Points West Festival in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Bottle Popper - Jay-Z and hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz enjoy a night of clubbing at NYC hot spot, Imperial.

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Bottle Popper - Jay-Z and hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz enjoy a night of clubbing at NYC hot spot, Imperial.

Lunch Time - Stephen Hill, HOT 97's Angie Martinez and Jay-Z pose for a group shot on the set of "Food For Thought: Conversations With Jay-Z."

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Lunch Time - Stephen Hill, HOT 97's Angie Martinez and Jay-Z pose for a group shot on the set of "Food For Thought: Conversations With Jay-Z."

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The Realest - Young Jeezy and Young Hova mean mug for the cameras backstage at the 2009 BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta, Georgia.

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The Realest - Young Jeezy and Young Hova mean mug for the cameras backstage at the 2009 BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta, Georgia.

BFF - Media mogul Oprah Winfrey and Jay-Z take a stroll through Mr. Carter's old stomping grounds, Marcy Projects, during the filming of an episode of "The Oprah Winfrrey Show."

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BFF - Media mogul Oprah Winfrey and Jay-Z take a stroll through Mr. Carter's old stomping grounds, Marcy Projects, during the filming of an episode of "The Oprah Winfrrey Show."

#1 - For the first time in 13 years, Roc-A-Fella Records head honcho Jay-Z has secured his first number one single on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart with “Empire State of Mind.” Previously Jay’s topped the Hot 100 three times only as a guest vocalist, with appearances on Mariah Carey’s “Heartbreaker” in 1999, Beyoncé’s “Crazy In Love” in 2003, and Rihanna’s “Umbrella” in 2007.

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Empire State of Minds - Jay-Z and Alicia Keys pay homage to Times Square during the taping for Jay's new video, "Empire State of Mind."

Bad News - TMZ is reporting that Bryant Norwood is now asking for a “substantial amount of money” from Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club, claiming that security beat him for “no reason” as he was leaving the venue in November. According to the lawsuit filed in New Jersey State Court, Norwood alleges he has sustained “diverse personal injuries” and “permanent injuries.”

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Red Carpet Status - Decked in denim and leather, Jay-Z arrives at the 40/40 nightclub for his VMA afterparty.

Two Heroes - Detroit spitter Eminem and Jay-Z perform together during the DJ Hero Launch party in Los Angeles, C.A.

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Two Heroes - Detroit spitter Eminem and Jay-Z perform together during the DJ Hero Launch party in Los Angeles, C.A.

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N.Y.'s Finest - N.Y.C. Governor David Patterson bumps into Jay-Z during a charity event in N.Y.C.

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N.Y.'s Finest - N.Y.C. Governor David Patterson bumps into Jay-Z during a charity event in N.Y.C.

Jay-Z, Alicia Keys Scratch World Cup Anthem Plans - New York superstars Jay-Z and Alicia Keys won’t be writing an anthem for the World Cup as originally planned. After Keys announced that she would be performing at the games this June, the two, planned to write an anthem for the World Cup Games. But it seems as if the pair doesn’t know enough about soccer to write the song. “If we did a record about soccer it would be obvious we didn’t know much more about the sport than who David Beckham is,” Keys told London’s “The Sun” paper.

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Game Time - Alicia Keys and Jay-Z were all smiles at the conclusion of their performance of "Empire State of Mind" during game 2 of the World Series between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Good Job - Jay-Z’s approval rating for the nation’s first Black president is at an all-time high. The Brooklyn MC is extremely comfortable with the way the president is handling the tougher issues. "I feel he's done a great job and I feel he's not running away from issues, he's taking them head on, which is going to put him in the line of fire of criticism, but that's part of his job description.”

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All Black Everything - Rihanna and Jay-Z perform "Run This Town" at Young Hova's "Answer The Call" charity concert at Madison Square Garden.