Video: Jay-Z & The Nets Break Ground In Brooklyn

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“What I stand here and represent is hope for Brooklyn, New York City. I’m a son of Brooklyn, I’m from Marcy projects.” Jay said. “I think about growing up in Brooklyn in the Marcy projects and shooting jump shots, thinking I can make it to the NBA. Now I stand here as an owner of team that’s coming back to Brooklyn. The pride in that, and bringing that dream so much closer for people, brings me so much pride I get a little nervous about it. But I’m very happy, very excited about this day. And we did it again Brooklyn — shout out to [Notorious] B.I.G.”

After the conference, Jay-Z and company officially broke ground, breaking out the hard hats and lightly shoveling dirt. The confetti rained down.

“It was a long process,” Jay said after the ceremony, with his “Empire State of Mind” playing in the background. “It’s a sensitive one. I’m from the people. I’m for the people. I could never be opposed to the side of the people. But this project, when you look at the numbers at the end of the day, was so overwhelmingly in favor of the people: the job creation, the housing that’s being built. It was difficult; you had to tread through that process lightly. But we’re here, it’s a fantastic day and it’s a celebration. It’s a beautiful day in Brooklyn and the hope that’s represented — on a small scale — is the same I felt when I saw Obama run for president: That we can be a part of something so grand.” – MTV