What happens when the world’s hottest R&B singer falls in love with the biggest player in the hip-hop game? You get Beyoncé and Jay-Z of course. Not since Will and Jada has Black America become so consumed with a celebrity couple. The talented twosome will celebrate their first wedding anniversary on April 4, 2009. Join us as we reminisce on some of the special moments of their relationship and help us wish the Carters congratulations!
Always camera-ready, the couple are decked out for the 48th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
Rumors of a romance began to stir when the video for Jay-Z’s “03 Bonnie and Clyde” hit the small screen. Here, Beyoncé poses with Jay wearing his signature Yankee fitted baseball cap for a “TRL” appearance at MTV studios in November 2002. Even in those early days, the two appeared genuinely happy to be around each other.
Still in their courting days, the glamorous couple attend an EMI holiday party together in 2004.
Beyoncé seems happy to watch the game with her man. (Ladies, take note.) With seats like these, we certainly can’t blame her. The southern belle soaks up a little basketball with her Brooklyn b-boy (and part owner of the New Jersey Nets) at the 2004 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
The fashionable couple makes a grand and loving entrance at the 2005 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles.
All bundled up, Beyoncé and Jay-Z smile for the paparazzi after dining in a midtown restaurant in November 2005 in New York City.
The duo remains each others’ biggest fans. Jay-Z speaks and B salutes him at a dinner celebrating his fashion enterprises Rocawear and S.Carter.
As their relationship evolved, so did Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s style. She lost the braids and he the Timberland boots in the ultimate upgrade.
Basketball games seem to be a favorite pastime for the Carters. Here, the lovebirds get a little quality time in at the All-Star Game in Denver in 2005.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z master sharing the spotlight as both of their careers take them around the world. Jiggaman spreads peace at an after party for one of his London concerts.
Beyoncé makes a surprise appearance at Jay-Z’s concert to celebrate the tenth anniversary of his first album, “Reasonable Doubt,” at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall in June 2006.
The duo party in style at L.A. Reid’s fiftieth birthday party in 2006, always hanging close to one another.
Naturals onstage together, Jay-Z and Beyoncé kick off the 2006 BET Awards with her hit song “Deja Vu.” As far as performances go, we think they bring out the best in each other.
Beyoncé shines as the birthday girl at a bash celebrating her twenty-fifth birthday and the release of her sophomore solo album, “B’Day,” at Jay-Z’s New York club 40/40 in 2006. B’s best friend Kelly Rowland and mom Tina Knowles also join in the fun.
Channeling the late great Josephine Baker, a sexy Beyoncé performs with her handsome beau at the 3rd Annual Fashion Rocks in NYC in 2006.
The duo claims their usual spot courtside at the 2007 NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas.
The very private couple shares a special moment aboard a fabulous yacht while on vacation. Jay steps behind the camera to play photographer to his beautiful model in between fun in the sun.
As every couple should, Beyoncé and Jay-Z make sure they are on the same page with one another, especially when it comes to matters of their relationship. “We decide everything,” Beyoncé told ESSENCE.
The entertainment mogul forgets the troubles of the world as he cuddles up with B during their vacation in the South of France.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z lock lips aboard their yacht, as their relationship stays hot in the summer of 2007.
Jay-Z gets into the game while Beyoncé lends her support at New Jersey Nets Game against the New York Knicks in 2007.
Queen B can barely contain her excitement as she, Jay-Z and Lebron James watch the Opening Night festivities at the 40/40 Club in Las Vegas.
The couple, seen here at the 77th Annual Academy Awards, is always dressed to the nines and knows how to complement each other effortlessly.
Jay-Z and Beyoncé have become regulars at A-list events such as the 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards held in Beverly Hills, California.
On April 4, 2008, the inevitable happened when Beyoncé Knowles became Mrs. Shawn Carter in a hush-hush, low-key ceremony at Jay-Z’s Tribeca apartment in New York City. The two, along with their family and closest friends, did a superb job at keeping the planned nuptials a secret, as the international superstars are not ones to boast (but, boy, did he put a ring on it!). April 4th holds much significance for the couple. For starters, Beyoncé and Jay-Z were both born on the fourth day of their respective birthday months—he December and she September.
“We’ve been together a long time. We always knew it would happen,” Beyoncé said simply in a recent interview with ESSENCE.
Beyoncé attempts to include hubby in on the joke at a New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers game in 2008.
Through rain or sunshine, these two always seem to give each other their backing and their blessing, which is imperative in a healthy relationship. Jay-Z escorts his wife at the New York premiere of “Cadillac Records” in December 2008.
The trendy twosome coordinate their outfits to attend the Art Basel Miami Beach event in Miami Beach, Florida this past winter.
Beyoncé says it’s important to take time for yourself and discover who you are as an individual before including someone else in your life. “Make sure you have your own life before you’re someone else’s wife,” she said during her appearance on The Oprah Show.
Jay and B are the power couple to watch on every red carpet they set foot on—and this year’s 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards was no exception.
Mr. and Mrs. Carter braved the cold weather and the packed crowd to witness President Obama’s Inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C.
All work and no play is definitely not the mantra of Mr. and Mrs. Carter. These two are often photographed at NBA games—only in courtside seats, of course—but their body language here at the NBA All-Star Game in February 2009 could be an indication that they’re becoming more comfortable being seen in public together. Regardless, we’re addicted to watching these two and witnessing their infectious love affair unfold. Black love is alive and well, and we couldn’t be happier for this talented pair.
Send your anniversary wishes for Beyoncé and Jay-Z below!
