Jay Z admits he’s ‘definitely crying in the car’ after being inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Jay Z was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2021 (Picture: AP)

Jay Z was uncharacteristically emotional after being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last night, admitting he would ‘cry in the car’ home.

The 51-year-old rapper joined the likes of LL Cool, Tina Turner, Foo Fighters and Carole King who were part of 2021’s class of inductees on Saturday. 

Hosted at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, the ceremony saw Jay Z as the penultimate artist to be inducted. He was introduced with a star-studded video of heartfelt messages from his wife Beyonce, former President Barack Obama, Diddy, Samuel L Jackson, LeBron James and Chris Rock. 

President Obama said: ‘I’ve turned to Jay Z’s words at different points in my life, whether I was brushing dirt off my shoulder on the campaign trail, or sampling his lyrics on the Edmund Pettus Bridge on the 50th anniversary of the Selma march to Montgomery. 

‘Today, Jay Z is one of the most renowned artists in history and an embodiment of the American dream, a dream he has helped make real for other young people like him.’ 

Comedian Dave Chappelle did the honours of introducing Jay Z to the stage at the arena and began by joking about the recent controversy over his Netflix special. 

The Big Pimpin rapper reflected on his humble roots dreaming of making it big (Picture: Getty Images)

Dave Chappelle did the honours of introducing Jay Z to the stage (Picture: Getty Images)

The 51-year-old was accompanied by his mother Gloria (r) (Picture: Getty Images)

Jay managed to catch up with H.E.R. at the ceremony (Picture: Getty Images)

‘I would like to apologise — I’m just f*****g with you,’ the comic momentarily quipped, before continuing: ‘It is an incredible honour to induct this next man into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 

‘But I need everybody in rock ’n’ roll to know that even though you are honouring him, he is ours. He is hip hop. For ever and ever, and a day.’ 

Jay Z, real name Shawn Carter, then graced the stage to deliver his acceptance speech and said: ‘I would watch these guys, and you know they had big rope chains, and they wore leather, and sometimes even the red-black-green medallions, and whatever they wore, everybody would wear the next day.’ 

‘And I was like, “That’s what I want to do. I want to be like those guys”. And so I set out on my journey, writing at my table—shout out to Dr. Gloria Carter in the house, she bought me the green notebook,’ he said referring to his mother who was watching from the audience. 

‘We was like we gonna create our own company, you know? That’s hip hop. And we created this company called Roc-A-Fella Records.’ 

In a surprising turn, Jay Z then acknowledged his former business partner Damon Dash, despite their ongoing rift, stating: ‘Shout out to Dame [Dash]; I know we don’t see eye to eye, but I can never erase your accomplishments, and I appreciate you and thank you for that. And shout out to [Kareem] ‘Biggs’ [Burke]; he’s one of the most honourable people I’ve ever met. We created something that will probably never be duplicated.’ 

Eminem, Dr. Dre, LL Cool J, and Jennifer Lopez hung out at the show (Picture: Getty Images)

Jennifer Lopez and LL Cool J performed their hit All I Have as he was inducted (Picture: AP)

Christina Aguilera paid tribute to inductee Tina Turner (Picture: Rex Features)

Beyonce didn’t join her husband at the ceremony but Jay Z was in great company, with Kelly Rowland’s husband Tim Weatherspoon among the pals to join him on the private jet over to the awards.

In a series of rare tweets, Jay Z told his followers: ‘Thank you to everyone in that video package , I’m definitely gonna cry in the car .

More: US Showbiz news

‘In my excitement , I failed to prize, and acknowledge JAZ-O, he was the hometown hero that made the dream tangible . Thank you good man… ok let me lose this password for another year or so . Thank you all again , incredibly humbled by your love.’ 

Elsewhere, LL Cool J was inducted into this year’s class and was joined by Jennifer Lopez for an epic performance of their hit All I Have. 

Christina Aguilera was also on-hand to honour inductee Turner, who didn’t attend, with a rendition of the music legend’s hit River Deep – Mountain High. 

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