Jay-Z launches revamped New York club

Jay-Z made his first public appearance since becoming a first-time dad on Wednesday (18Jan12) to celebrate the grand reopening of his New York sports bar.

The Empire State of Mind hitmaker, who welcomed daughter Blue Ivy with wife Beyonce earlier this month (07Jan12), stepped out solo for the big launch of Manhattan's 40/40 Club, unveiling the hotspot's new renovations.

The hip-hop superstar was joined by a slew of his celebrity pals, among them singer Ashanti, rap mogul Russell Simmons, director Spike Lee, record producer Irv Gotti, rapper Wale, The Roots star ?uestlove and billionaire Warren Buffett.

Jay-Z remained notoriously mum on the red carpet and simply smiled to reporters as he dashed inside, but his guests were thrilled to show their support.

Wale told MTV, "We here at the reopening of the 40/40; we about to have a couple of drinks, a lot of beautiful women, New York City, the new joint - you already know."

And Foolish singer Ashanti was just as excited, tweeting, "Hov (Jay-Z) always has big parties, so I'm definitely looking forward to going inside and mingling and jingling."