Roc Nation and the Brooklyn Public Library set out to create an immersive tribute to Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, celebrating his legacy as a musician, innovator, entrepreneur and philanthropist. To make this vision a reality, ESM Productions was brought in as the lead production partner, tasked with executing one of the most ambitious public exhibits in recent memory.
Working under a highly accelerated timeline, we navigated the complex logistics of constructing a world-class exhibit inside an operational public library. The team led a multidisciplinary group of production designers, engineers and fabricators, ensuring the installation process was seamless, respectful of the landmark building and minimally disruptive to the public. The most visually striking feature—a full-scale wrap of the Brooklyn Public Library—required intricate engineering to execute safely, given the site’s structural constraints.
At the heart of this visionary project was Desiree Perez, CEO of Roc Nation, whose leadership and creative direction shaped the exhibition. Her unwavering trust in ESM and commitment to honoring Jay-Z’s legacy in a way that was both culturally significant and community-focused drove the project's success.
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Unveiled on July 14, 2023, the exhibit attracted over 650,000 visitors and extended its run to more than twice the original schedule due to overwhelming demand. The project had a profound cultural impact, not only as an artistic and historical milestone but also as a community initiative—leading to a significant increase in library card sign-ups. Widely covered by major media, including the New York Times and CBS’s Gayle King, The Book of HOV became a defining moment in contemporary cultural storytelling.