Jay Z, who was a guest on Kimmel's on-location show at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Howard Gilman Opera House, invited the comic and his audience to the nearby Barclays Center, and then led a procession to the venue.

As the unlikely friends hit the streets, fans of the rap mogul screamed his name and two young kids burst through barricades to hug their hero.

"It's a nice day," he said. "We caught a good day... to take nice stroll in Brooklyn."

Police shut down the streets between the two venues, so Kimmel, who was born in Brooklyn, and Jay Z could walk to the Barclays Center unimpeded.

The special broadcast of Jimmy Kimmel Live! then featured footage of the rapper performing Empire State of Mind as he took the stage at the Tidal X gig, which also featured performances from Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, and Usher and Nas, who joined forces with singer Bibi Bourelly to belt out their new single Chains.