Jay Z makes it to Carnegie Hall

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STORY: After over 20 years of practice, rapper Jay -Z (Shawn Carter) has finally made his way to New York's Carnegie Hall.

The 42-year-old, will headline two historic shows on February 6 and 7 to raise money for United Way of New York and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation. Money earned will go towards the fight against poverty in New York, which has the largest income gap in the U.S., and help under privileged students graduate on time and attend college.

Jay-Z called on several of his a-list friends to help him out including model Brooklyn Decker and icon Liza Minnelli, who holds a special place in Carnegie's history books.

"I played here the longest of anybody, I played Carnegie Hall for two and a half weeks and sold out completely. So to come back here to see my friends is so exciting for me," said Minnelli.

Model Brooklyn Decker will host the star studded after-party at Jay Z's nightclub, 40/40. On the red carpet, Decker said the issue of poverty is close to her heart.

"My husband actually has a foundation that does something very similar and it raises money for children education mostly in Texas and Florida. And so when they asked me to come and host tonight for United Way I was very quick to do so. I am a fan of Jay Z and I am a fan of his cause, so it felt right," Decker told Reuters.

Hitting the stage with Jay Z on the first night was Alicia Keys and Nas.