Last Friday (April 4), Hip-Hop’s leading couple of Jay-Z and Beyoncé finally, sort of, silenced rumors with a private wedding ceremony at Jay-Z’s penthouse apartment in Tribeca along with 30 guests. In 2002, many were a little skeptical about the budding relationship between the popular singing sensation and the Hip-Hop mogul, but time proved that the pair was indeed “dangerously in love”.The union comes at a perfect time where Beyoncé’s career as a top-selling singer/ songwriter/actress has no limits and Jay-Z continues to take over the Hip-Hop and business world one move at a time. With the success the lovebirds encountered already the possibilities for the powerhouse couple seem endless. Given that it’s so hard to believe it’s been six years since their first single together, “’03 Bonnie and Clyde,” dropped, AllHipHop.com put together a timeline covering their relationship from the musical collaborations, false marriage rumors and all the crazy speculation in between. HEART OF THE CITY (AIN’T NO LOVE)• 1998 – Jay-Z appears on Timbaland’s “Lobster and Scrimp” where he mentions Destiny’s Child; Jigga raps, “You’re stressin’ me now,’/Said, ‘No No No,’ then, ‘Yea yea yea’ like she Destiny’s Child.”• 1999 – Jay-Z directs former Roc-a-Fella artist Amil’s video for “I Got That,” which features Beyoncé• 2001 – On Missy Elliot’s “One Minute Man Remix” Jay-Z makes a direct reference to Destiny’s Child’s “Independent Women” when he says, “Get your ‘Independent’ ass out of here – question?”• July 2001 – Destiny’s Child appears briefly in Jay-Z’s “Izzo (H.O.V.A)” video
SAY HELLO•2002 – Jay-Z releases “’03 Bonnie & Clyde,” a song off Jay-Z’s The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse — working on the song together was start of Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s relationship•2002 – After “’03 Bonnie and Clyde” is released Toni Braxton lashes out claiming Jay-Z stole her idea to sample Tupac/Makaveli’s “Me and My Girlfriend” from her single which utilized the same sample, “Me and My Boyfriend.”[Jay-Z f/ Beyoncé”’03 Bonnie and Clyde” Video]
•2003 – Jay-Z appears on Beyoncé song “Crazy in Love”•June 2003 – Beyoncé tells MTV about Jay-Z’s influence on Dangerously in Love, especially on “Crazy in Love” which she says wasn’t received as well until Jay-Z’s rap was on it.[Beyoncé f/ Jay-Z “Crazy in Love” Video]
•August 2003 – One of first times the duo perform on stage is at the 2003 MTV Music Awards. At the show Beyoncé performs “Baby Boy” without Sean Paul. Rumors circulate that Jay-Z forbid Beyoncé to perform on stage with any other man. Sean Paul claims incident blown out of proportion but said he was set to perform and upset he was not allowed to.•November 2003 – Jay-Z drops his temporary last album, The Black Album, which features the track “P.S.A.” where he boasts, “Got the hottest chick in the game wearing my chain…”•2004 – Rumors claim that Matthew Knowles dislikes Jay-Z (in regards to his relationship with his daughter)•May 2004 – Beyoncé and Jay-Z perform together at Prince’s Trust Urban Music Festival •November 2004 – Destiny’s Child drops Destiny Fullfilled which features production from 9th Wonder, who had produced “Threat” on Jay-Z’s The Black Album, on the single “Girl.”Nas drops Street’s Disciple which features a song called “Getting Married” [Ed. Note: We just felt like mentioning that.]•October 2005 – In an interview with Vanity Fair Beyoncé denies that her and Jay-Z are secretly married.•2005- 2006 – Speculations romantically link Jay-Z to pop-singer, and Def Jammer, Rihanna•2006 – Despite still keeping details of their relationship “on the low” Jay-Z/Beyoncé named Power Couple in Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2006•January 2006 – Beyoncé says that “Ring the Alarm” is not a message to Rihanna and denies Jay-Z and Rihanna having any type of affair.[Beyoncé “Ring The Alarm” Video]
•June 2006 – Jay-Z and Beyoncé perform together at the 2006 BET Awards (June 27, 2006). The couple perform at the 10th anniversary of Reasonable Doubt show at Radio City Music Hall (June 25, 2006). •August 2006 – In a statement Matthew Knowles says someone is trying to create chaos before B’Day (he cites the coincidental release of Ex-Destiny Child member, Latoya Luckett around the same time) is released, he also reiterates that “Ring the Alarm” not about Rihanna and Jay-Z.•September 2006 – Beyoncé appears on The View where she acknowledges her relationship but says they enjoy keeping their relationship private
•November 2006 – Matthew Knowles had long been accused of disapproving of his daughter’s relationship with Jay-Z, in an interview with NPR’s Tony Cox he claims he admires Jay-Z and thinks he’s a gentleman and a smart man.•December 2006 – New York Post reports that the couple will marry on the island of Anguilla/The Daily News immediately reports that the couple had already returned from their vacation unmarried.Named at VH1 Big in ’06 Awards as Big Power Couple •November 2006 – Beyoncé’s “Upgrade U” (B’Day) featuring Jay-Z is released[Beyoncé f/ Jay-Z “Upgrade U” Video]
•March 2007 – “Hollywood” off Jay-Z’s ninth full-length album (Kingdom Come) featuring Beyoncé is released •April 2007 – Rumors that Jay-Z wants to bring Beyoncé over to Def Jam swirl. Named sexiest couple by Victoria’s Secret (April 20, 2007)A close friend of Beyonce’s says no wedding plans on horizon, Beyoncé wants to focus on her career.•May 2007 – Rumors hit the Hip-Hop circles that Jay-Z has a secret love child with a Trinidadian model, Jay-Z responds that the claims are false. •July 2007 – Matthew Knowles warms up to “Bey/Jay” union by telling Us Magazine that he likes Jay-Z and would be happy for Beyoncé if they wed.•September 2007 – During a press conference for his third 40/40 club at The Palazzo Hotel Jay-Z says in reference to marrying Beyoncé, “one day soon – let’s leave it at that” •December 2007 – Rumors arise that Beyoncé and Jay-Z tied the knot in Paris during a celebration of Jay’s birthday / Spokespeople for Jay-Z say rumor is falsePhotos (above) show matching “IV” tattoos that they got December 4Jay-Z reveals that his fathers death in 2003 helped him become a better boyfriend and deal with his emotions. •February 2008 – At 50th Grammy Awards Rihanna/Jay-Z win in best rap/sung collaboration for “Umbrella” remix. Jay-Z appears to distance himself as Rihanna tries to hold his hand while accepting award. •April 1, 2008 – It is reported the couple secure a marriage license in Scarsdale, NY•April 2008 – News sources report Jay-Z and , to wed April 4 2008; claim the date of the 4th significant to both — Jay-Z was born December 4, 1969 and Beyoncé was born September 4, 1981.According to In Touch Weekly after a wedding in New York they will also have second wedding in France.•April 5, 2008 Mary J. Blige publicly congratulates the newlyweds at her and Jay-Z’s “Heart in the City” concert in North Carolina.Jay-Z makes no public announcement and reports say he wore no wedding ring•April 7, 2008 – As of now neither artist has officially announced their marriage Access Hollywood learns the wedding was designed by New York based Pollen Nation (who has planned high profile event planning for people such as Russell and Kimora Simmons, Queen Latifah, Bill Clinton, etc.)•April 8, 2008 – While neither Beyoncé or Jay-Z has commented about nuptials, apparently Jay-Z acknowledged the marriage by accepting congratulations while at his 40/40 club on Monday (April 7).
