ST. PAUL, MN – As thousands of Minnesotans prepare to gather for the music icons’ concert at U.S. Bank Stadium tonight, Governor Mark Dayton is proclaiming Wednesday, August 8, 2018 as “Beyoncé and Jay-Z Day” in Minnesota. The musical power couple’s stop in Minneapolis marks one of 36 shows on their 2018 ‘On the Run: Part II’ world tour. Through their lives and music, Beyoncé and Jay-Z have inspired Minnesotans and music fans around the world.

 

Beginning her musical career as a member of Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has since gone on to sell millions of records worldwide as a massively successful solo artist, with a discography of six solo albums. She was named the Top Female Artist of the 2000s by Billboard, and Artist of the Decade by The Guardian in 2009. Time Magazine recognized her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world for both 2013 and 2014, and she was named by Forbes Magazine as the one of the world’s 100 most powerful women in 2015. Beyoncé has influenced many Minnesota girls and women with the powerful, positive messages in her music.

 

Born Shawn Corey Carter, Jay-Z is one of the world’s most best-selling musical artists. Jay-Z’s career began in the mid-1990’s following the release of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt. Since then, Carter has released thirteen solo and four collaborative albums, and is an active businessman, sports agent, and media mogul. In 2017, Jay-Z became the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

 

The couple married in 2008. Combined, Jay-Z and Beyonce have taken home numerous awards, including the Grammy Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, BET Awards, BRIT Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and NAACP Image Awards. 

 

Beyoncé last performed in Minnesota during the Formation World Tour in 2016. Jay-Z most recently visited the Twin Cities in 2013 as part of his Magna Carter World Tour.

 

Governor Dayton’s proclamation can be found here.