Jay Z Covers New York Magazine’s Annual “Yesteryear” Issue

This week, New York Magazine‘s fifth annual “Yesteryear” issue will be hitting newsstands. Coinciding with the cover story “A Century of Pop Music in New York” told through 100 years, 100 songs and 100 nights, New York has enlisted music heavyweights such as The Notorious B.I.G., Bob Dylan and Frank Sinatra to don its eight alternative covers. Here, we see a cover featuring a young Jay Z. Taken in 1997 at a time when the now ubiquitous rapper just started his career, the Brooklyn native is seen sporting a Cincinnati Reds cap with a red undershirt, chambray button-down and leather jacket — a far cry from his style of late. Head to New York to subscribe to the magazine now.