Rihanna has sworn allegiance to Jay-Z and the Brooklyn Nets and revealed she will be joining him for his set of shows at the Barclays Center. “I have to support the Nets, they’re part of my clique!” she said to the New York Daily News. “When [Jay-Z] calls, I go.”
The singer, clad in a pajama-style ensemble by Acne Studios, shared the news as she walked the red carpet at the opening of a 40/40 Club in the Barclays Center, a newly erected stadium and Jay-Z’s latest investment.
Jay-Z took a more formal route and donned a tux with his wife Beyoncé on his arm. The celebration drew several celebrities and prominent New Yorkers. Former Warner Group music executive Lyor Cohen seemed enthused about Jay-Z’s ability to attract so many prominent people to a place that was considered by many to be dangerous. “In the ’80s, we were afraid of Brooklyn,” said Cohen. “We wouldn’t come here!”
Questlove, drummer for The Roots, is a man of few words but he had no problem sharing that he is already enjoying a few perks at the Barclay Center. “I don’t wanna sound like the guy who’s like, ‘I got a box here,’ but, um, I got a box here.”
The Barclays Center opened for business on Friday after Jay-Z cut the ribbon and performed a show at the venue all in one night. He will be performing seven more shows on the first week of October. For the “99 Problems” rapper, the opening of this center is a display of pride in his hometown and his way of giving back to his community. “I want to thank you, Brooklyn, New York City, for making me the man I am today,” he said during the concert. “Like I said, everybody’s from Brooklyn tonight.”
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