Patrons of the Brooklyn Public Library in New York will notice an unexpected new addition to the lawn: a mid-90s Japanese luxury sedan. The two-tone Lexus GS300 is part of a new exhibit honoring hip-hop legend Jay-Z, who often rapped about his “off-white Lexus” in which he got his career start. The car’s is part of an exhibit called “The Book of HOV” chronicling Jay-Z’s work, and its presence an official partnership with Lexus USA.
As one of the top recording artists in modern history Jay-Z can obviously buy any car he wants, but he often waxes nostalgic about his S140 Lexus. It was featured in the video for “Dead Presidents”, a promo single for Jay-Z’s debut album Reasonable Doubt. He also referenced it in the lyrics of “Can I Live” and “Empire State of Mind”. When Jay-Z gave a concert at Radio City Music Hall honoring the 10th anniversary of Reasonable Doubt, he made his entrance by driving the GS300 on stage (4:24 in video above).
To be pedantic, we’re not convinced the car is is Jay-Z’s actual GS. A placard by the display vehicle says “Jay-Z’s 1993 Lexus GS300” and it has OEM wheels. The car on stage at Radio City had aftermarket wheels and Jay-Z himself describes it as a 1996, the same year “Dead Presidents” and Reasonable Doubt came out. The car in the exhibit might be on loan from Toyota’s own collection. It’s not a big deal, but we’re car nerds here and want to be as accurate as possible.
The “Book of HOV” exhibit is no small endeavor. It’s a legit museum exhibit with artifacts from Jay-Z’s career, never-before-seen photos, video, and even a replica of his recording studio. There are thousands of unique pieces on display, part of a greater year-long celebration of 50 years of hip-hop. Admission is free and it runs until December 4, 2023.
So incredibly dope. I’m not even a particularly huge fan of Jay-Z, but Reasonable Doubt is easily one of the Top Ten hip hop albums of all-freakin-time. And the Lex Bubble is infinitely cooler than any Maybach, coupe or otherwise.
“Fill the glass to the top with Moet, feel the Lex pushin up on the set, feel the high that you get from liiiiiife…”
And, of course, we cannot miss the obvious quirk: Jay-Z’s GS 300 is powered by a 2JZ but I will never believe that he wasn’t aware of that when he got it 😀
If he had gotten an LS instead his name would’ve been You-Z. 😂
With a shot of Nas, as the ancient meme haveth.
his Lexus was gold or champaigne
Reasonable Doubt Is A Masterpiece
And I Fell In Love With The GS Lexus Off Dead Presidents
Video….I Bought ’96 GS In 2000!!!!
I feel ecstatic that JZ and I both own a Lexus GS 300, except I own a green 1998, which I purchased as a military retirement gift to myself. She still runs great and looks good. Of course I will never get to enjoy the Great toys that the great lengdary rapper has, but I fill great and rich that I was in the vicinity, and in Great company for a little while…..Long live JZ and GS 300″s. Peace my good brother….
Jay’s My favorite rapper the Lexus is My favorite Car.
That too was my 1st Lexus ❤️❤️❤️