Jay-Z is one of the wealthiest rappers in hip-hop, and his partnership with the iconic R’n’B singer Beyoncé has contributed to his legendary status. However, in one of his songs, he covertly revealed how he was accompanied by a best friend for his first date with Bey. It is unknown when the two superstars started dating. However, the most prevalent narrative is that they first crossed paths between 2000 and 2002.
Jay-Z (real name Shawn Carter) is known for his mafioso rap and gangster exterior, so it is hard to imagine the Bedford-Stuyvesant native being scared of anything. However, in his song ‘713’, Carter admitted that he was so afraid in the leadup to his first date with Beyoncé that he begged a friend to accompany him. The ‘PSA’ musician rarely opens up about his love life. However, both Beyoncé and Jay decided to open up for their 2018 album, Everything Is Love. Their show of vulnerability and emotion was refreshing for fans considering the couple is known for their guarded ways.
Everything Is Love was an unexpected release for fans who weren’t expecting a project from either artist. The nine-track project was one to be broken down as, akin to 4:44, it aired a lot of their dirty laundry. Detailing all of their relationship’s hiccups and problems, the two had clearly decided to lay their cards on the table to put an end to the constant speculation concerning their relationship. Unlike other power couples in hip-hop, the Carters don’t use social media for anything other than promotion. They never talk about their problems openly and, for the most part, are unseen and unheard unless they are releasing music of some kind.
This approach to public life has had its pros and cons over the years. However, when they choose to disclose information, fans lap it up, and that’s precisely what happened when the husband and wife released ‘713’. On the track, Jay revealed details about the early days of the duo’s romance and even unveiled his first encounter with the singer. According to Carter, he first met his future wife at the MTV Spring Break festival in Cancun, Mexico, in March of 2000. This is sprung on fans during the first verse, as Jay raps, “We played it cool at the pool of the Cancun, VMA/ Confidence you exude make the fools stay away/ Me, I played my room, let the fools have they say.”
As previously speculated by fans, Carter admits the two didn’t officially get together until 2002. Following their first run-in at the VMA’s in Mexico, Jay-Z revealed they did not communicate again until 2002. Detailing how it unfolded following the festival, Jay explained, “The next time we would speak was like two years away / You had a man, you shut it down until you two had a break / I bet that dude rued the day.” However, it was when he took Beyoncé on a date that he made an error.
In ‘713’, Jay-Z admitted how he stupidly brought his friend along on his first date with Beyoncé to make it more comfortable. Revealing how in hindsight, it was a bad idea. As if he was speaking to Bey, Carter revealed, “You kept me up on the phone while you were away / You came back, I let you set the date, Nobu on the plate / I brought my dude to play it cool, my first foolish mistake!” Jay-Z has since revealed that, at first, Beyoncé wasn’t impressed, but his perseverance is what made them an item. You can listen to ‘713’ in the video below.
