URBAN MESS MAGAZINE @ BROOKLYN NETS GAME Vs. BOSTON CELTICS (10/18/12)

'BASKETBALL IS BACK IN BROOKLYN!'

It's been 55 years since the Dodgers left Brooklyn for sunny Hollywood, LA. So when the Brooklyn Nets decided to make Brooklyn their new home I had to take a trip to the brand new Barclay's Center. I wanted to make sure to catch a game in their first season and I did! This state of the art venue is AWESOME! Plenty of great food, drinks, and easy access from the local train station across the city. I sat in section 219 row 4. So for $20 in the upper section I decided to bring my camera with me here are the results of the game, cool huh?! Yes, it was cool to see 2 historic NBA franchises playing a game in my hometown of Brooklyn, NYC! I was able to catch great pics of NBA allstars like Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo and other did their thang on the court. Man! This is why I love this game and the essence that it brings to a sport fan like me and others as well and I'm glad it's back! #GOBKNETS! 

source:nba/bknets/urbanmessmagazine

" I RIDE WITH MY PEOPLES " JAY-Z TAKES THE SUBWAY IN NYC TO HIS LAST CONCERT PERFORMANCE @ THE BARCLAYS CENTER LAST SATURDAY EVENING

When you're waiting on the train platform in New York City to get where you need to go you don't expect to see one of the biggest superstars in the world just stroll in through the turnstyles but last night Jay-Z shocked many MTA commuters. Jigga man decided to skip car service or a ride in his luxurious Maybach and hopped on the train like an average New Yorker to get to his last show at the Barclay's Center last Saturday night.

The rapper caused a frenzy when he entered the train station at Canal St around 6 P.M. and rode it all the way to Atlantic Avenue. Escorted by plainclothes police officers and his own security, Hova didn't seem to pay for the ride and attracted a loud band of followers that made him look like the Pied Piper, a source who followed Jay-Z told the Daily News.

On the platform, the rapper waited for one train to pass before getting onto the Brooklyn-bound R. On the way he even sat next to and older woman who was all smiles to have the Brooklyn native by her side. Jigga Man shows us he is definitely one with people. Moments later he hit the stadium stage where he surprised the crowd with a special performance from his wifey, Beyonce.

In other Jay-Z news, he also announced he will be dropping a souvenir for fans to remember the historic moment at Barclays, an 8-track optic EP of live recordings from the concerts. It will include eight live performances and will be available exclusively on iTunes on Tuesday, October 9th!Sounds like this guy is on his A game and we wouldn't be surprised if he took the Barclay's after party to a local bar!

HE IS A NATIVE NEW YORKER SO WHY NOT?!

source:globalgrind/nydn/urbanmessmag

"BROOKLYN'S FINEST" JAY-Z KICKS OFF BARCLAYS CENTER PERFORMANCE 9/28/12

"HELLO BROOKLYN"

Jay-Z says performing in his New York City hometown at the opening of Brooklyn's Barclays Center is better than performing at the Grammys, Glastonbury or Coachella. He yelled to the crowd of 18,000: "Nothing feels like tonight!" The arena was full of exciting concertgoers, as the chaotic crowd made way to their seats after waiting outside to enter the building. Jay-Z emerged onstage Friday night as a video about Brooklyn's history played in the background.He opened with his songs about Brooklyn with "Where I'm From" and "Brooklyn Go Hard." He also performed two songs from fellow Brooklynite Notorious B.I.G. He also held a moment of silence for the late rap veteran. He told the crowd when B.I.G.'s "Juicy" played: "Sing loud so he can hear you in heaven."

Call it his official homecoming: Jay-Z will perform the first of eight shows at the newly built Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Friday night. The rapper is the co-owner of the Brooklyn Nets, who will play the new arena this year. Brooklyn-born Jay-Z will christen the venue, which holds 18,000 seats. Jay-Z's performance Friday is expected to feature other top musicians. His past shows included wife Beyonce, Kanye West, Alicia Keys and dozens of others. The Barclays Center will rival Manhattan's Madison Square Garden for musical events. A number of acts have booked shows at the venue, including Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Bob Dylan, Rihanna, Rush, The Who, Justin Bieber and Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Jay-Z will perform at Barclays through Oct. 6 with the exception

source:huffingtonpost/jay-z/urbanmessmag

"OPENING CEREMONY" JAY-Z WILL DEBUT HISTORIC CONCERT TONIGHT SEPT 28, 2012 @ THE BRAND NEW BARCLAYS CENTER ARENA IN BROOKLYN, NY!

After years of planning, controversy and construction, the new Barclays Center makes its debut tonight. Thousands of fans will stream into the arena as Brooklyn native and Nets' part owner Jay-Z opens the arena with a sold-out concert.Tickets for the show are a hot commodity with floor seats commanding more than $600 on the secondary market. Jay-Z celebrated ahead of the concert with the grand opening of his 40/40 club inside Barclays. The rapper says he's excited about what the arena means for Brooklyn. "You know I've just seen everyone busy and trying to clean up and I just got this great feeling. The guy stopped me in the hallway and he was like, 'Man this is a great thing for New York City.' And that's what the whole thing was about," Jay-Z said. "It's been a transition. You know I've been here, I think seven or eight times and I haven't been here since it's been completely finished. So, it's my first time seeing the finished deal but you know I'm definitely excited," said Brooklyn Nets Guard Deron Williams. Tonight's concert is the first of eight shows Jay-Z will perform at Barclays. Concert-goers are being urged to take mass transit to the show, using either the subway or the Long Island Rail Road. The Nets will play their first game at the arena on October 15.

If concert goers expecting surprise performances, take another guess! In an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine's Jeff Rosenthal, (reigning member of our Digital Power 30) Jay-Z vetoed any rumors of special guests for his 8 date concert series at the Barclays Center.

No one's appearing, no one's performing. It's Brooklyn! This is my one chance to be selfish. Can't I? Can't I be selfish? Thank you. Just for these eight shows – then I'll get back to my "Jay-Z and Friends" shows. I get all of these guys to come out for me, so . . .

Tonight is the grand opening for the new arena for the Brooklyn Nets. If you have you're tickets don't expect surprises, expect a damn good show though

source: jay-z/thesource/ny1/urbanmessmag

" ALMOST HOME PART 2" THE NEW BROOKLYN NETS ARENA IN IT'S FINAL STAGES OF COMPLETION

  

"YES!! WE ALMOST HOME!!!" 

A few months ago I featured a segment called "Almost Home" which featured the new Brooklyn Nets Area aka The Barclays center in Brooklyn. I get to see this everyday out of my window from my job and everyday is always something new. At times i get to chat with many workers and ask questions like "How's it   coming along?" and I get so many different answers. One worker told me "That the rush is on! We have to work  24 hours 7 days a week!" he also mentioned that "they are really pressed for time they have to be finished by Sept 5th".  Walking thru the subway station at Atlantic Ave has now been changed to Barclays center. The walkways are now littered with posters of Deron Williams and Joe Johnson and more players from the team. Everyday us Brooklyn'ites that live or work near the arena just get excited to see more and more pieces added to the arena everyday. I saw exclusive pics from one of the worker's iphone and when I say that it's done, trust me it is done inside!!! We can't wait for the arena to open next month with headlining concerts by Jay-Z and John Legend, Ringling Brother's Circus, Disney on Ice, Boxing, Gymnastics,College Basket Ball, The NHL, of course The New Brooklyn Nets!!!!  

This will be a good year for Brooklyn, Trust me!

YES!!!!! WE ALMOST HOME!!!!

source:bknets/nba/urbanmessmag