NEW YORK — As Jay-Z transitioned from hit song to hit song at a Carnegie Hall concert Monday night, so did the lighting, changing from red to white to blue.
The veteran rapper then performed his latest hit, "Glory," about his 1-month-old daughter with Beyoncé, Blue Ivy Carter.
"I didn't think I was going to make it through that one," he said, sounding emotional. "That was tough."
It was one of the many jams Jay-Z performed at New York's famed venue, his latest achievement in music domination.
The rapper is the second hip-hop act to perform at Carnegie Hall. Wyclef Jean did so in 2001 with Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton and Whitney Houston.
Jay-Z was joined by fellow New Yorkers Alicia Keys and Nas. He was backed by an orchestra of 30-plus and a band that included Questlove of The Roots and neo-soul singer Bilal. It was one of two shows for charity planned this week.
The Grammy-winning rapper, born Shawn Carter, started off in a black-and-white tuxedo, bowtie and black sunglasses, commanding the stage with confidence in a somewhat unfamiliar territory: The audience was mostly men in suits or tuxedos, and women in conservative dresses. About 2,800 people filled the hall.
Though some tickets were sold to the public, most were offered in a private sale, going from $500 to $2,500. The proceeds will benefit the United Way of New York City and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation, which helps low-income students cover college costs. Students from Jay-Z's foundation also attended the show.
Jay-Z, who released his debut album in 1996, performed more than two dozen hits including "Hard Knock Life," "99 Problems" and "Dirt Off Your Shoulder." Classic New York anthems also entertained the audience. The orchestra played a medley of Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind," Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" and Gil Scott-Heron's "New York Is Killing Me."
Changing into a black tux, Jay-Z performed "Empire State of Mind" with Keys, who wore similar attire. Nas followed with his song "N.Y. State of Mind."
"Make some noise for the Giants," yelled Jay-Z, giving a shout-out to the recent Super Bowl champions.
Jay-Z changed outfits once again, this time to a black T-shirt, black pants and a black cap. He traveled to the second floor and began to rap songs from the top of a chair.
He gave shout-outs to some of those missed in music, from the Notorious B.I.G. to Aaliyah to Don Cornelius. He also gave a shout-out to Liza Minnelli, who waved to the audience before Jay-Z hit the stage.
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NEW YORK — As Jay-Z transitioned from hit song to hit song at a Carnegie Hall concert Monday night, so did the lighting, changing from red to white to blue.
The veteran rapper then performed hi...
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"All those lines that divide us, we gonna step on them," Jay-Z declared to the packed house at the start of his hour and a half long set. In fact, he stomped on them.
I do believe that Jay-Z is one of the most prolific artists of his time. not to be compared to Nas, Nas is prolific in his own way. nor to Biggie, Big was different too. let's give props to the person in discussion. everyone is a star. My favorite Jay-Z album by the way is The Life and Times of Shawn Carter Vol.3 hands down, classic Jay-Z. love the word play. Its what drew me to his style. uuh uh uh.
Reign1Poet: I do believe that Jay-Z is one of the most
"I never cried when Pac died, but I probably will when Hov does. And if my tears hold value then I will drop one for every single thing he showed us." - Drake on "Fear"
Jehosafats: "I never cried when Pac died, but I probably will
I should have added the first part.
Ah,
What the hell have you done,
to even have an opinion on what I been doing,
what the hell have y'all won,
only thing you can identify with is losing,
bryang78: I should have added the first part. Ah, What the
Look below folks. Just look. There are posters here that are going to dog someone giving a Charity. Just look. One by one they turn cartwheels over a hit artist, crying about his genre as illegitimate, not real, not tasteful, not worthy of Carnegie Hall, nothing like the great art forms of Heavy Metal, rockabilly, grunge or country. And never mind that this event was to raise money that helps low-income students cover college costs, that doesnt matter. What matters to those posting below is that this successful, 350 million dollar worth professional sports team owner and happy husband and father was "not in his place" according to some. Sad and typical!
NatTurner1: Look below folks. Just look. There are posters here that
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MESFIN FEKADU 02/ 7/12 01:47 AM ET Associated Press