Beyoncé and Jay-Z have been in a relationship for over 20 years, which is quite remarkable in the world of celebrities. Despite a minor hiccup in 2014 when TMZ released a video of an elevator fight, their relationship has mostly been blissful in the public eye. Although there were rumors of a prophesied divorce, it never happened, and their love was brought back into the spotlight with the release of Beyoncé’s Lemonade in 2016 and their joint album Everything Is Love. Let’s take a look at a recap of their public journey, from their early collaborations to their On the Run tour and the infamous “Becky with the good hair” incident.
In terms of their initial meeting, there are a few different accounts. According to Beyoncé in a 2008 Seventeen cover story, she met Jay-Z when she was 18, which would be in late 1999 or 2000. However, in a 2007 Charlie Rose interview, Jay-Z stated that they met “10 years ago,” placing the meeting in 1997.
Their first notable public appearance together was in November 2001 when they appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair’s music issue alongside David Bowie, Beck, and Gwen Stefani. During a 2013 Vanity Fair interview, Jay-Z mentioned that this shoot happened when they were “just beginning to try to date each other.” He jokingly added that he had to “wine and dine” Beyoncé.
Their musical collaborations started in October 2002 when Beyoncé appeared on Jay-Z’s “’03 Bonnie and Clyde.” They also appeared together on MTV’s TRL to promote the song, showcasing a strictly professional demeanor. However, during the interview, Beyoncé mentioned that they had actually known each other for a long time.
Over the next few years, their relationship continued to grow, with public appearances together at events like the NBA All-Star Game and various basketball games. In a 2003 Playboy interview, Jay-Z downplayed their relationship, referring to themselves as “just cool” and “just friends.” However, with the release of Beyoncé’s solo single “Crazy in Love” in May 2003, featuring Jay-Z, it became increasingly clear that they were more than just friends.
Beyoncé released her first solo album, Dangerously In Love, in June 2003, and performed the hit song “Crazy In Love” with Jay-Z at the MTV Video Music Awards in August of the same year. Jay-Z also released The Black Album in November 2003, featuring a reference to Beyoncé as the “hottest chick in the game.” They continued to make joint appearances at events like the MTV VMAs in August 2004, solidifying their status as a power couple.
Throughout the years, there were occasional rumors of infidelity and affairs. In 2010, rumors circulated that Jay-Z was involved with his protégé Rihanna, but it was later claimed that these rumors were planted for publicity. In 2006, Beyoncé released her album B’Day, which included songs like “Ring the Alarm” and “Resentment,” speculated to be about Jay-Z’s alleged affair with Rihanna. Beyoncé’s father, Mathew Knowles, denied these rumors, stating that they were attempts to sabotage his daughter’s album release.
In April 2008, Beyoncé and Jay-Z secretly got married in a private ceremony at Jay’s apartment, with only about 30 people in attendance. They attended the inauguration of President Barack Obama in January 2009, and rumors of Beyoncé’s pregnancy started to circulate in October 2010. Their daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, was born in January 2012, and Beyoncé shared the first photos of Blue on Tumblr in February of the same year.
Throughout the years, they continued to collaborate musically and make notable appearances at events like President Obama’s second inauguration in January 2013, where Beyoncé sang the national anthem. However, rumors of Jay-Z’s alleged affairs with Rita Ora and other women surfaced during this time. These rumors were denied, and Beyoncé released her self-titled surprise visual album in December 2013, which included songs that addressed the complexities of their relationship.
In May 2014, a video of Solange Knowles physically attacking Jay-Z in an elevator after the Met Gala was leaked by TMZ. Rumors circulated that this incident was related to Jay-Z’s alleged philandering, particularly with Rachel Roy. The family released a statement acknowledging the incident but stated that they had worked through it and moved on. Around this time, there were also reports of Beyoncé getting an IV tattoo on her ring finger removed, although it appeared in later footage from Lemonade.
In conclusion, Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s relationship has had its ups and downs, but they have remained a power couple in the music industry for over 20 years. Their journey has been characterized by musical collaborations, public appearances, and occasional rumors, but they continue to thrive as a couple.