Event Recap: Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 Tour
Events By Gotty™ on November 15, 2009 at 8:52 pm
At this point in my blogging career, there’s no need to describe situations as “surreal.” They aren’t, so using the word is hyperbole. Not to say that they aren’t unique and that doing this hasn’t afforded its share of opportunities that I know I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise. If Jay could trip a referee @ MSG, I could have effortlessly reached out and tripped him up on Friday (thanks Laura @ 360).
There are no secrets on what to expect @ a Jay show. After a decade plus years in the game, a couple of film presentations of his stage performance and, most recently, the Fuse show, the rabbit is out of the hat. What may not be expected or can’t be experienced from afar is the level of energy, both from the main attraction and the crowd. Using the oft-compared Jordan analysis, Jay is far from “old Wizards MJ,” the one whose knee cartilage had taken away the spring in his step. At a few weeks shy of celebrating his 40th birthday and on what would be the last stop on the current leg of this tour, Shawn Carter performs as if he’s the leader of the one the Bulls three-peat squads, a man who’s had enough time being the center of attention that he’s perfected pacing himself and waving the wand to hold the crowd’s attention for however long he chooses.
Jay-Z Performs “Run This Town” from The Smoking Section on Vimeo.
Apply some of those same sentiments to BP3. Being one of the initial naysayers, it took me more than a few listens to “get” the album. Once I did, I was dismayed that others hadn’t. But being amongst a packed arena of those who do get it cements the idea that it is, in fact, a great album. Note the volume (particularly the level of bass) of the crowd singing the chorus to “Run This Town,” the show’s opening number, and recognize the connection the album has made. That same level of audience participation was maintained throughout, leaving this crowd participant winded but pleased by the end.
Backed by a The Roc Boys — his personalized band composed of brass, keys, guitars and percussion…oh yeah, a DJ named Neil — Jay tore through song after song. Relentlessly. Aside from the band, his only assistance came from the ever-present Bleek playing hypeman for roughly half of the show, Roc Nation signee Bridget Kelly standing in wonderfully (both physically & vocally) for Alicia Keys on “Empire State Of Mind” and J. Cole coming through for the clap-starter, “A Star Is Born.” Peaks? Easy choices had to be the now-anthem “Empire State Of Mind” and heavy metal-infused “U Don’t Know,” which left the venue rocking.
The only time I kicked myself was after the show. I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t be Drake, “watching Hov’s show embarrassed to pull my camera out.” I was fine during the show. Then after, Neil gave me a call & asked that I come by to meet the band. Located on a seldom traveled side street, the five-star establishment had none of the traffic one would suppose came with “rap stars” being in town. No crowds or autograph seekers. I stepped into the lobby and, no more than three minutes later, the elevator bell chimed and five people stepped off.
Thinking it was Neil, I glanced up from my Blackberry. I noticed those same big ass glasses that I’d seen on stage earlier in the night. I paused. Swanky establishment, far too cool to be acting starstruck, I hesitated on pulling out my camera once I realized it was Hov. Then again, “Fuck it, it’s Hov,” figuring it would make a helluva show & tell picture for my kid to take to school. So I fumbled in my pocket to pull out my “just in case” point-and-shoot Canon…only to realize he was safely tucked away in the backseat of the black SUV parked curbside & promptly whisked away.
Dah well, I’ve seen him a couple of times. I’m sure our paths will cross again. I simply don’t see the old guy slowing down any time soon.
Jay-Z Performs “DOA” from The Smoking Section on Vimeo.
– Shouts to Wale & J. Cole, who both put on solid performances and did not disappoint. Since we’ve spent so much time covering them & their live shows, I chose not to revisit them in this piece but that’s not to discredit them in the least.
– Shouts to Neil & all the Roc Boys, each of whom has a backstory that I hope to get & recount here one day soon.
Posted in Events, GENERAL, MUSIC, VIDEO — Tags: Blueprint 3 Tour, Bridget Kelly, DJ Neil Armstrong, J. Cole, Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek, Roc Nation, The Blueprint 3, Wale
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35 Comments
Jay is carrying the torch for hip-hop. He’s one of the best live shows around. Not just a great hip-hip live show.
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lol I see yall…I did a test post just so i wouldnt waste my time.
on the real though, Id be lying if i said i didnt want to see jay live.
Accurate assessment. The ATX show was sick, probably the most in-tune hip-hop audience I’ve ever been apart of concert wise. I mean, damn near 45 old white folks goin’ word for word with Hov.
Me and my homeboi were having a discussion bout rap performances the other day, and we both mentioned Jay as one of the few artists that can perform a good show. Partly, because his music sounds good performed by an actual live band.
What kinda camera did you record the show footage with?
What kinda camera did you record the show footage with?
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Short version — a simple point & shoot. Longer version — It was either take pics or get video. I opted to focus on video…and shot pics at the same time, running two different cameras lol.
I mean, damn near 45 old white folks goin’ word for word with Hov.
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Man I saw OLD people there, all races, for real for real. I’m talking folks stuck in wheelchairs and/or just couldn’t get up period. They kept asking people to move so they could see. I started to be rude, but then I realized a.) they’re old and b.) it says a lot that they brought themselves out to see dude. So out of respect, you had to move lol
Being one of the initial naysayers, it took me more than a few listens to “get” the album. Once I did, I was dismayed that others hadn’t. But being amongst a packed arena of those who do get it cements the idea that it is, in fact, a great album.
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That’s what I’ve been saying. It’s not his best work, but I’ll be damned if that joint doesn’t have some good songs on there.
Those were the best seats EVER.
Seen the tour in Baltimore and it was dope. J. Cole did his best for a tardy crowd, Wale won over a pro Baltimore crowd, and N.E.R.D. didn’t get people hype until Skate Board P started doing some of his hits.
At the show in Baltimore he didn’t perform one song from RD, Vol.1 or BP2 and still performed for over 2 hours. He doesn’t jump around the stage acting crazy, but has full command of the audience. It also helps when the fans can finish your verses.
Seen mad older people at the concert. People came with kids, a lady came with her teenage son.
Anyhoo….well be at the show at Verizon Center on 3/3/10
People came with kids, a lady came with her teenage son.
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Jea I saw that too. This one family came, like a man two women and three boys, maybe about 11-12 yos. I bet those lil dudes got stories to tell @ school tomorrow lol.
At the show in Baltimore he didn’t perform one song from RD, Vol.1 or BP2 and still performed for over 2 hours. He doesn’t jump around the stage acting crazy, but has full command of the audience. It also helps when the fans can finish your verses.
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The epitome of that for this show was when he broke down and let the crowd rap Pimp’s verse on “Big Pimpin’”
And yo, J. Cole & Wale did great. Esp. Cole. When we were in Atl, he was the headliner, the nigga niggas came to see so I expected people to know his mat’l. But here, I was kind of surprised that cats knew his rhymes and reacted to songs.
Damnnnnnnnnnnn Gotty, If I had that spot in Columbus my concert bootleg woulda looked hella official.
i’m going into Jigga week due to this post.
It was mostly new stuff when he hit up Toronto. I heard boo’s when J Cole was performing, when I was singing along to Lights Please, I heard a discussion bout the Leafs behind me. Wale got in the stands that got the fans off their feet. Like Thomas said when Pharrell played Beautiful it got live.
When Jay hit everyone was on their feet except those usual hard nosed aggins that dont do nothing but grill Jay Z like he owes them something. Big Pimpin will be playing and there they are givin Jigga the stink eye. They’re practically infront of me so sorry for the rant.
I saw Jay-Z in Champaign, IL this past Thursday and the energy was insane. I missed Wale and J. Cole’s sets due to a late running session but got to see NERD before Jay came on. That boy Pharrell is a bonified performer. Jay had the crowd jumping the whole time. At the end of the show he clowned a couple sitting down during the fan call-outs and had the entire stadium boo them. I don’t want to imagine what a stadium’s worth of hate feels like but I guess that’s what happens when you incur the wrath of Hova.
i went out the UCLA show…that shit was crazy…he opened with DOA and rihanna came out for run this town…lupe has a guest spot too with NERD and pharrell came out for so ambitious….shit was off the chain…one of the best shows i’ve ever seen
Fuckin NERD wasn’t there. But I saw them a year or so ago so I was okay w/that. I did want to see them w/the new female element added in.
Just because people sung along to it doesn’t make it a great album.
Doesn’t even make it a good album.
if The Blueprint 3 isn’t a good album, I don’t know what is
@Amp
Just because you say something for the 30th time in 10 posts doesn’t make it true either.
Either Jay did something personal to you or someone you care about or you’re actually Dame Dash or Jim Jones (Baaaallin!) in disguise.
good album yes…great album no
JB either you are on roc nations payroll or youre actually memphis bleeks weed carrier or beyonces(OHH ohh ohh!)hairstylist.
@Amp
Just because you say something for the 30th time in 10 posts doesn’t make it true either.
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True, but I only say it when someone says it’s a good album so it all balances out in the end lol
^^^
And I’ve actually said I think it’s a decent album overall. It’s just personally, I feel no need to revisit it.
I don’t think it’s possible for Jay to make a bad album.
if i do not cosign, there is no truth around !
Greums said it & so it shall be.
I am from Pittsburgh but drove to Vanderbilt to see Jay’s last show on this leg of the tour even though we just got tickets for the Pittsburgh show in March. I’ve seen alot of shows and the energy in this place was insane. I had seats on the 2nd level but after politely asking a guard (and wearing a short dress :)) we were given wrist bands for the floor. This was by far the best concert I’ve seen in a long time. Song selections were perfect, crowd was perfect, Jay put on a great show.
@ Gotty…
You at least give him some daps or what?
Either Jay did something personal to you or someone you care about or you’re actually Dame Dash or Jim Jones (Baaaallin!) in disguise.
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You figured me out.
*puts Pro-Ked laden feet up on desk made of boxes of Armadale*
*makes a bunch of calls to industry connects…no one answers*
*declare’s NOE’s album a classic*
*listens to Beanie’s “What You Talkin Bout” on repeat on Roc Box*
*is Dame dash*
lmfao amp is my dude (ll)
Hov will be in Norfolk in March. I’m in the 9th row
LMAO @ Roc Box
Dame Diddy uses those to prop open his patio doors.
I WAS THERE! David D. texted me and told me that you were there. I drove 6 hours from Jackson, MS and it was worth every dime I spent on gas, tickets, Red Bull, etc.!
You had the best view possible, other than actually BEING onstage! I saw Jay-Z a LONG time ago, back when his second album was out and he had great stage presence in those days, too. Haven’t been to any of his concerts since, but I want to someday.
Just because people sung along to it doesn’t make it a great album.
Doesn’t even make it a good album.
^^^
With people knowing the words makes me think they connected to the music tho. Well it was a Jay show tho.
Big Pimpin was crazy. He stopped the music to make it Carnival in the stands.