Jay-Z announced on Thursday that he will become the first solo hip-hop artist to headline Carnegie Hall in New York City with a pair of shows in February.  The concerts are scheduled for February 6th and 7th and will benefit the United Way's NYC chapter and the Shawn Carter (the rapper's real name) Scolarship Foundation.

Tickets for the charity concerts will first be sold via a private sale geared toward corporations and wealthy individuals, ranging in price from $500 to $2,500, with the tickets becoming available to the general public at more affordable prices a few days later.  Jay-Z declined to say whether there will be any special guests showing up at the concert, but didn't rule it out, either.  The rapper / producer announced the concerts at a special press conference at Carnegie Hall on Thursday, footage of which can be viewed below.