While promoting his forthcoming film The Harder They Fall, JAY-Z got an unexpected surprise: an appearance from his longtime friend Kelly Rowland. On Wednesday (Oct. 13), the Brooklyn star, who serves as one of the movie’s co-producers, gathered with co-stars and close friends for a private screening in L.A. As he headed inside the building, he caught sight of Rowland; the special moment that ensued was captured in a tweet that was later shared by Netflix, who will be airing the movie early next month.
“Obsessed with this super cute moment from last night’s special screening of The Harder They Fall,” the tweet read. “Shawn ‘JAY-Z’ Carter (who is a producer) is headed inside but pulls a 180 as soon as he sees Kelly Rowland! That’s family right there.”
The clip, which sees Hov hug the Destiny’s Child star, almost immediately went viral as fans shared their reactions to the friendly interaction.
Many users noted that JAY expressed more emotion in the clip that they’d ever witnesses throughout the course of his rap career. “This the most expressive I’ve seen him and he been famous for 25 years lmaooo,” wrote @weinapandemic.
“I have never seen JAY-Z this happy to see somebody Kelly Rowland is definitely like apart of the Family,” added @_Pvack_. Another fan, @brittcouture_, claimed that JAY-Z looked “like an auntie who hasn’t seen you since you were little.”
In other posts, users turned the clip into a meme and wrote captions that went along with JAY and Kelly’s warm embrace. “When you about to leave the family function, but they bring out a fresh pan of mac & cheese,” SuperJaxicie penned in a tweet. In a second post, @treasurxdona wrote, “When you hardly wanted to be at the function, but then your favorite cousin show up. Love Black folks.”
Some fans even took time to give Beyoncé credit for choosing JAY, who they claim is becoming more attractive by the day. “I know it’s always about Beyoncé but JAY-Z is truly aging like fine wine as well,” wrote a fan of the rapper. @trapcre also acknowledged Hov’s appearance. “Is it me or does Jay look kinda fine right here?” he asked. “The skin is kinda skinning.”
The Harder They Fall is set to premiere on Nov. 3. See the reactions to Hov and Kelly’s interaction below.