December 5th, 2012
10:16 AM ET

Jay-Z: Not too famous for the subway

Jay-Z's one of the 100 most powerful celebrities in the world but the 43-year-old isn't too big to take the subway - or humbly accept that a passenger might not recognize him.

The moment was caught on camera in Jay-Z's documentary "Where I'm From," which explores the behind-the-scenes work that led to his eight performances at Brooklyn's Barclays Center this fall. The video was posted to Jay's Life + Times YouTube channel on his birthday, December 4.

About 18 minutes into the video, Jay's seen traveling with an entourage en route to his final show. As he descends into a train station, onlookers armed with smartphones tried to grab proof that one of Brooklyn's most famous was riding along with everyone else, including an older woman named Ellen.

She asked if he was famous as he took a seat next to her on the train, to which he replied: "Yes. Not very famous, you don't know me. But I'll get there someday." Catch the rest of their adorable exchange in the video above.


Filed under: Celebrities • Jay-Z • Music

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soundoff (23 Responses)
  1. Dan

    What has Jzee done? Famous for being famous.

    December 12, 2012 at 10:07 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  2. The_Hive_Honey_bee

    Jay-Z and Beyonce are a PERFECT couple and EVERYTHING they do is PERFECT!!!

    December 6, 2012 at 8:25 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  3. bull1

    everybody back to party-FU–

    December 6, 2012 at 7:10 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  4. Alec

    Well, he should ride the subway. After all, he took his showbiz name from the J-Z subway line that runs through Brooklyn.

    December 6, 2012 at 1:25 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  5. pitt04

    That was a sweet moment:)

    December 6, 2012 at 11:25 am | Report abuse | Reply
  6. puppetholeader

    no reason to be here...we're done...gotta practice speech...waste–
    night was wow...lol

    December 6, 2012 at 5:22 am | Report abuse | Reply
  7. jeremy

    J-Who?

    December 5, 2012 at 10:03 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  8. when it comes to you know what....

    its never a publicity stunt for beyonce...we know her a very long time....lololol

    December 5, 2012 at 8:38 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  9. GH

    Ironically, Jay-Z's stage name comes from two subway lines - the J and Z - that service the NYC borough of Queens.

    December 5, 2012 at 5:22 pm | Report abuse | Reply
    • AJ

      That is not where his stage name came from. First he's from Brooklyn not Queens that's Nas. Second his name come's from another rapper who mentored his style named Jazz.

      December 5, 2012 at 7:40 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Duane in Fremont

    Nice, but it's called a well planned publicity-stunt. As he's surrounded by his entourage it's not like he's in worry of something wrong happening.

    December 5, 2012 at 3:03 pm | Report abuse | Reply
    • mypitt2

      So you have proof the woman was in on it? Please provide it.

      December 5, 2012 at 4:48 pm | Report abuse |
  11. jealous

    grow up beyonce...your like a nasty possessive child..

    December 5, 2012 at 2:42 pm | Report abuse | Reply
    • Duane in Fremont

      You're just a little jealous it seems.

      December 5, 2012 at 3:04 pm | Report abuse |
  12. I can understand what jayz is doing...

    he is a wonderful man good hearted and ny loves him. the right girl helped him clean up his act and they will now live happilly ever after....we love jayz , beyonce (pic above) and for what they stand for...xo to you guys! they are truly what positive is all about.

    December 5, 2012 at 12:56 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  13. Lu

    Not too famous for the subway but famous enough to inconvenience many people in the maternity ward. Not let people go see their babies and have bodyguards everywhere. A little perspective would be good.

    December 5, 2012 at 12:53 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  14. you be quiet

    and mind your own business

    December 5, 2012 at 12:44 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  15. I care...

    jayz is very famous

    December 5, 2012 at 11:15 am | Report abuse | Reply
    • be quiet

      thanks for letting us know

      December 5, 2012 at 11:49 am | Report abuse |
  16. I care...

    jayz is being a nice guy

    December 5, 2012 at 11:14 am | Report abuse | Reply
  17. koslis

    whoooooo caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaares

    December 5, 2012 at 11:12 am | Report abuse | Reply
    • kris

      you, apparently, since you're in the entertainment section.

      December 5, 2012 at 2:38 pm | Report abuse |
    • natalie

      shut up bbbbbbbbbbiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttttttttttttccccccccccccchhhhhhhhhhhhhh

      December 6, 2012 at 2:39 pm | Report abuse |

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