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John Sykes Recalls Convincing Jay-Z to Attend His 2021 Rock Hall Induction Ceremony: Book Excerpt


Chairman John Sykes recalls convincing Jay-Z to accept his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Read the 'Book of Hov' excerpt.

The rapper’s induction video included star-studded cameos from wife Beyoncé, LeBron James, Rihanna, Chris Rock, Usher, Rick Ross, Dave Letterman and his daughter Blue Ivy. All had traveled to Cleveland from around the globe to induct and honor the Class of 2021 inductees which included: LL Cool J (the original GOAT), Tina Turner, Clarence Avant, The GoGo’s, The Foo Fighters, Billy Preston, Charley Patton, Carole King, Gil Scott-Heron, Kraftwerk, Fela Kuti, Todd Rundgren, Randy Rhoads, and JAY-Z. Just like Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, or Paul McCartney did before him, JAY told the 16,000 people in the room, and millions more watching on television, his own story of being turned down by record companies who called his music “trash”, and how he refused to compromise, never giving in to conventional wisdom.

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