We think of Jay Z and Beyonce as hip hop’s perfect couple. But would you believe that Beyonce wasn’t Jay Z’s first choice?
Back in the year 2000, the “Big Pimpin’” hit-maker was dating Grammy-nominated R&B singer Blu Cantrell . Cantrell is best remembered for her 2001 pop smash “Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!).” The mega-hit was followed by the moderately-successful “Breathe,” which featured reggae impresario Sean Paul.
At the time, Jay-Z was reportedly quite smitten with the biracial beauty. But Blu didn’t feel the same way about Jay, and broke up with him.
According to reports at the time, Jay was left in tears when she put the kibosh on their relationship in early 2002.
Luckily Jay had a backup plan. He was also dating a young singer the time, named Beyonce Knowles. The rest, as they say, is history.
So whatever happened to Blu Cantrell? Well she’s still working on her singing career and performed in the United Kingdom last night.
Here are pics of her now: