JAY-Z and Beyoncé have hosted the annual Roc Nation Brunch for the first time in three years, as the star-studded event made its post-pandemic return this weekend.
On Saturday (February 4) the power couple were joined by a bevy of friends, family, colleagues and proteges at a private residence in the hills above Los Angeles after Roc Nation sent out an invitation to “join us for a celebration of the highest elevation of self.”
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As fans walked up to the venue, they were welcomed by a small orchestra positioned along a pathway leading up to an uncovered rotunda area. The walls of the roofless foyer were decorated with photos from previous Roc Nation Brunches, including a portrait of Lauren London and Nipsey Hussle captured weeks before his death in 2019.
Just like previous iterations of the exclusive affair, guests seem to have been encouraged to keep to specific colors when it came to their outfits, with shades of pink, white, green and gray seen on most of the guest. Beyoncé donned a futuristic white outfit reminiscent of the style aesthetic she’s used to promote her seventh studio album Renaissance.
Unlike in years past, JAY-Z and Beyoncé were not photographed together and seemed to arrive to the event separately. In one video that surfaced online, Hov is seen walking up to the tented outdoor venue with renowned stylist June Ambrose before pausing to wave off a photographer.
Bey, on the other hand, was videoed entering the venue with her longtime bodyguard Julius de Boer, sharing a moment with Lil Kim before joining her husband at their table, where they greeted a number of guests together, including Afrobeats star TEMS.
Some of the photos shared by the official Roc Nation account on Instagram were visual representations of major hits from the label’s roster, like JAY-Z and DJ Khaled or Rapsody and Joey Bada$$.
Other shots seemed like something from a “dream collaborations” vision board, with Beyoncé spotted with Snoh Alegra; and Tyler The Creator posting up next to Offset before later posing with 2 Chainz with E-40.
Others in attendance included G Herbo, Jacquees, Janelle Monae, J.I.D., Kelly Rowland, Lil Baby, Mustard, Miguel Pusha T, SAINt JHN, Teyana Taylor, and Vic Mensa. While Diddy, usually a fixture at the Roc Nation Brunch, was apparently missing at this year’s event, the Combs family was represented by his sons Quincy, King Combs and Justin Combs.
Several newcomers from the Roc Nation roster were also present, including 9th Wonder’s Jamla Records protégé Reuben Vincent and HDBeenDope. At the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of longevity in the music business were veterans like James “Jimmy Jam” Harris III and Babyface, who were spotted sharing a moment with Offset.
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Outside of the world of American Hip Hop, the Roc Nation Brunch welcomed international stars like UK rappers Giggs and Ms. Banks, Reggae star Shanseea and Latin Music sensation Anitta.
But the guest list was not limited to the world of Hip Hop or event music. Athletes like Victor Cruz and actors including Mark Wahlberg were also spotted at the swanky event.
Now in its 12th year, the Roc Nation Grammy Brunch has become an annual tradition, with the coveted invitation handed out to only a select few.
Prior to this year, the event had not taken place since January 25, 2020, with organizers bypassing the last two years to adhere with COVID-19 safety and social distancing guidelines.
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Check out additional photos and videos from the 2023 Roc Nation Grammy Brunch below:
