What better way for Jay Z to address critics than through a rap? Hov took the stage in New York last night for his highly anticipated B-Sides concert, which was a noteworthy event for more than one reason. Yes, Jay was going to perform three decades worth of hits for his Og fans, proving to be one nostalgic experience, but this was also going to be a Tidal X event. The rapper's show was streaming for Tidal subscribers and it definitely didn't disappoint. While running through classic Roc-a-Fella records, Jigga brought out his familia including Memphis Bleek, Young Gunz, Freeway and Beanie Sigel. But it was his (seemingly but probably not) impromptu freestyle that got people...
- 5/17/2015
- E! Online
Rihanna‘s reign won’t let up. Since she hit the scene in 2008, she’s had 13 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100—tying her with Michael Jackson for the third most No. 1 songs on the chart. And she’s achieved all this before her 27th birthday, which just so happens to be today, Feb. 20. Related: Kanye West Is Executive Producing Rihanna’s New Album While we anxiously await the release of RiRi’s next album—her eighth, oh so cleverly titled, R8—to drop, we decided to take stock of her entire career so far. From Barbadian dancehall queen to a good girl gone bad to a Beatle‘s new bestie, we’re ranking every single song she’s ever put her stamp on. All 131 of Rihanna’s tracks—every single solo track, collaboration and guest feature on an Eminem song that’s out there. So, from worst to best,...
- 2/20/2015
- by Shannon Carlin - Radio.com
- Hitfix
Beyoncé Knowles was decked out in an animal-print dress by Roberto Cavalli for a night out at NYC's La Marina restaurant Sunday. She showed her support as husband Jay-z helped launch the new cognac brand D'Ussé with pals Swizz Beatz and Memphis Bleek. It was just the latest night out for Beyoncé and Jay-z, who also recently hosted a fundraiser for President Obama at his 40/40 Club. The party reportedly raised $4 million for Obama's reelection campaign and featured a speech from the president himself. As the election gets closer, make sure to submit questions for First Lady Michelle Obama, who is participating in a special interview series right here on PopSugar. View Slideshow ›...
- 9/25/2012
- by Lauren Turner
- Popsugar.com
Hats off to the people over at the Times' T Magazine, who very smartly paired beloved novelist Zadie Smith with beloved rapper-father-entrepreneur-human Jay-z for their latest issue. The result, which you will want to read in its entirety, is here, but we can reliably inform you right now that Jay-z paid for lunch, he wore jeans, and he can tell when someone is doing that reverse-camera iPhone trick. Other highlights:50 Cent is Avon Barksdale, and Jay-z is Stringer Bell. “Yeah, 50 Cent told me that one time. He said: ‘You got me looking like Barksdale’ ” — the hot-blooded drug kingpin from HBO’s “The Wire” — “and you get to be Stringer Bell!” — Barksdale’s levelheaded partner. The rapper Memphis Bleek, who has known Jay-z since Bleek himself was 14, confirms this impression: “He had a sense of calm way before music. This was Jay’s plan from day one: to...
- 9/6/2012
- by Amanda Dobbins
- Vulture
Philadelphia — Jay-z's entrance said it all: He bounced up and down on top of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, mimicking Rocky before he took the stage in front of nearly 50,000. His song "Made In America" played in the background.
Jay-z, like Rocky Balboa, has a rags-to-riches American dream story, and the 42-year-old entertainer – who grew up in the Brooklyn projects and released his debut album in 1996 – shared some of that through songs in his 90-minute set Saturday night at the Budweiser Made In America festival.
He entered from the back of the stage after running down the steps to perform "Public Service Announcement." That was followed with the night's first cameo: a prerecorded video with President Barack Obama.
Obama urged the crowd to vote this fall. He also said Jay-z's story is "what Made In America means" and added that he enjoys listening to the rapper's music on his iPod.
Jay-z, like Rocky Balboa, has a rags-to-riches American dream story, and the 42-year-old entertainer – who grew up in the Brooklyn projects and released his debut album in 1996 – shared some of that through songs in his 90-minute set Saturday night at the Budweiser Made In America festival.
He entered from the back of the stage after running down the steps to perform "Public Service Announcement." That was followed with the night's first cameo: a prerecorded video with President Barack Obama.
Obama urged the crowd to vote this fall. He also said Jay-z's story is "what Made In America means" and added that he enjoys listening to the rapper's music on his iPod.
- 9/2/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Former Jay-z colleague convicted for conspiring to distribute more than 100 kilos of marijuana.
By Gil Kaufman
Kareem 'Biggs' Burke
Photo: Getty Images
One of the co-founders of Jay-z's Roc-a-Fella Records, Kareem "Biggs" Burke, was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute more than 100 kilos of marijuana.
According to the New York Daily News, Biggs was snared as part of a dragnet dubbed "Operation Green Venom," in which 50 people were arrested for conspiracy to distribute marijuana in a coordinated sting that included New York's Department of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New York Police Department, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in New York and the Special Narcotics Prosecutor's office.
Burke was caught via a wiretap discussing activities at a grow house with the ring's leader. Prosecutors alleged that the drugs were being grown using hydroponic systems in Florida and...
By Gil Kaufman
Kareem 'Biggs' Burke
Photo: Getty Images
One of the co-founders of Jay-z's Roc-a-Fella Records, Kareem "Biggs" Burke, was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute more than 100 kilos of marijuana.
According to the New York Daily News, Biggs was snared as part of a dragnet dubbed "Operation Green Venom," in which 50 people were arrested for conspiracy to distribute marijuana in a coordinated sting that included New York's Department of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New York Police Department, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in New York and the Special Narcotics Prosecutor's office.
Burke was caught via a wiretap discussing activities at a grow house with the ring's leader. Prosecutors alleged that the drugs were being grown using hydroponic systems in Florida and...
- 6/5/2012
- MTV Music News
Addressing one of the few remaining enterprises without his name on it, Jay-z will curate and headline a two-day music festival in Philadelphia this September 1 and 2, personally selecting a lineup of over 20 musical acts to perform with him. As of now, the question of who those acts will be and how many of them will just be Memphis Bleek wearing different outfits has yet to be answered, though there are a few details that have emerged: Tickets go on sale May 23, it will be called the Budweiser Made In America Music Festival (which evokes more of ...
- 5/14/2012
- avclub.com
'At one point in time, we were a family,' Freeway tells 'RapFix Live' of Jay-z/Damon Dash era.
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Freeway and Sway
Photo: MTV News
Roc-a-Fella Records was once one of the most storied labels and rap crews in the business. Under the guidance of Jay-z, Damon Dash and Kareem "Burke" Biggs, artists like Kanye West, Beanie Sigel, Cam'ron, Memphis Bleek and Freeway were able to carve out careers for themselves that would carry on even after the label disbanded.
On Wednesday's "RapFix Live" with host Sway, Free discussed the last days of the Roc, the separation that existed between the record label's subdivisions and how he was able to bounce back.
"At one point in time we were a family. The whole thing about Roc-a-Fella that they pride themselves on is the family structure," Freeway said of the label that was...
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Freeway and Sway
Photo: MTV News
Roc-a-Fella Records was once one of the most storied labels and rap crews in the business. Under the guidance of Jay-z, Damon Dash and Kareem "Burke" Biggs, artists like Kanye West, Beanie Sigel, Cam'ron, Memphis Bleek and Freeway were able to carve out careers for themselves that would carry on even after the label disbanded.
On Wednesday's "RapFix Live" with host Sway, Free discussed the last days of the Roc, the separation that existed between the record label's subdivisions and how he was able to bounce back.
"At one point in time we were a family. The whole thing about Roc-a-Fella that they pride themselves on is the family structure," Freeway said of the label that was...
- 9/22/2011
- MTV Music News
Roc-a-Fella co-founder opens up on Shade 45's 'Sway in the Morning.'
By Rob Markman
Damon Dash on "Sway in the Morning"
Photo: MTV News
The once-flamboyant Roc-a-Fella Records co-founder Damon Dash is now in debt. In July, The Detroit News reported that the music mogul and Jay-z's former business partner owes almost $3 million in back taxes, according to a tax lien filed June 30.
On Friday, Dash visited the "Sway in the Morning" radio show on Shade 45 and spoke to host and MTV News correspondent Sway Calloway about his recent troubles with the IRS. After being asked about owing "$2 million," Dash quickly set the record straight: "I owe way more than $2 million in taxes. That must've just been the IRS," Dash said, laughing, before admitting that he was in a bad space financially. "Nah, nah, I'm f---ed up."
Dame made his mark alongside Jay-z and Kareem "Biggs" Burke in the mid-1990s.
By Rob Markman
Damon Dash on "Sway in the Morning"
Photo: MTV News
The once-flamboyant Roc-a-Fella Records co-founder Damon Dash is now in debt. In July, The Detroit News reported that the music mogul and Jay-z's former business partner owes almost $3 million in back taxes, according to a tax lien filed June 30.
On Friday, Dash visited the "Sway in the Morning" radio show on Shade 45 and spoke to host and MTV News correspondent Sway Calloway about his recent troubles with the IRS. After being asked about owing "$2 million," Dash quickly set the record straight: "I owe way more than $2 million in taxes. That must've just been the IRS," Dash said, laughing, before admitting that he was in a bad space financially. "Nah, nah, I'm f---ed up."
Dame made his mark alongside Jay-z and Kareem "Biggs" Burke in the mid-1990s.
- 8/8/2011
- MTV Music News
'It felt like old Roc-a-Fella, Bassline days,' Def Jam A&R rep Lenny Santiago tells MTV News.
By Rob Markman
Jay-z recording <i>Watch The Throne</i>
Photo: Life + Times
It's finally here. On Monday, fans across the world can finally experience Jay-z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne, the joint project that was first announced on August 27, 2010, via Yeezy's Twitter. Now, almost a year later, the highly anticipated album is available for purchase. Only a select few can say that they were along for the ride, and senior VP of A&R at Def Jam, Lenny Santiago, is one of those people.
Last month, MTV News secured 12 exclusive behind-the-scenes photos from the famed Wtt recording sessions, which took place in New York City, Australia and Paris. Lenny S., who was present for much of the album's recording, breaks down the story behind two of the photos.
Check out the...
By Rob Markman
Jay-z recording <i>Watch The Throne</i>
Photo: Life + Times
It's finally here. On Monday, fans across the world can finally experience Jay-z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne, the joint project that was first announced on August 27, 2010, via Yeezy's Twitter. Now, almost a year later, the highly anticipated album is available for purchase. Only a select few can say that they were along for the ride, and senior VP of A&R at Def Jam, Lenny Santiago, is one of those people.
Last month, MTV News secured 12 exclusive behind-the-scenes photos from the famed Wtt recording sessions, which took place in New York City, Australia and Paris. Lenny S., who was present for much of the album's recording, breaks down the story behind two of the photos.
Check out the...
- 8/8/2011
- MTV Music News
HollywoodNews.com: Our selected celebrity to be included in our “Hot Hollywood Celebrity Photo Gallery of the Day” is Rihanna.
Rihanna ◄ Back Next ►Picture 1 of 9
Rihanna in Concert on NBC's Today Show Summer Concert
◄ Back Next ►Picture 1 of 9
Rihanna in Concert on NBC's Today Show Summer Concert
Robyn Rihanna Fenty (born February 20, 1988), better known as simply Rihanna (pronounced /riˈɑːnə/ ree-yah-na or /riˈænə/ ree-an-ə), is an R&B recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers. She subsequently signed a contract with Def Jam Recordings after auditioning for then-label head Jay-z.
In 2005, Rihanna released her debut studio album, Music of the Sun, which peaked in the top ten of the Billboard 200 chart and features the Billboard Hot 100 hit single “Pon de Replay.” Less than a year later, she released her second studio album,...
Rihanna ◄ Back Next ►Picture 1 of 9
Rihanna in Concert on NBC's Today Show Summer Concert
◄ Back Next ►Picture 1 of 9
Rihanna in Concert on NBC's Today Show Summer Concert
Robyn Rihanna Fenty (born February 20, 1988), better known as simply Rihanna (pronounced /riˈɑːnə/ ree-yah-na or /riˈænə/ ree-an-ə), is an R&B recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers. She subsequently signed a contract with Def Jam Recordings after auditioning for then-label head Jay-z.
In 2005, Rihanna released her debut studio album, Music of the Sun, which peaked in the top ten of the Billboard 200 chart and features the Billboard Hot 100 hit single “Pon de Replay.” Less than a year later, she released her second studio album,...
- 6/22/2011
- by HollywoodNews.com
- Hollywoodnews.com
Former Roc-a-Fella Records producer tells 'RapFix Live' the Diplomats Mc told him: 'You should've been Dipset.'
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Just Blaze
Photo: Rich Sancho/ MTV News
At its height, there were few labels as compelling as the now-defunct Roc-a-Fella Records. Not only was the label anchored by Jay-z, but in the early 2000s, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel and Cam'ron all had their collective cliques under the Roc umbrella, and at the center of it all was label producer Just Blaze. Having to balance relationships between the competitive sub-camps got difficult at times, and during Wednesday's "RapFix Live," Just broke down his fallout with former Roc signee Cam'ron.
"Obviously, there was a division starting to happen between the camps," Just told MTV News' Sway Calloway. "Whereas Roc-a-Fella used to encompass Get Low, State Property, Diplomats, M.O.P., all of a sudden you start...
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Just Blaze
Photo: Rich Sancho/ MTV News
At its height, there were few labels as compelling as the now-defunct Roc-a-Fella Records. Not only was the label anchored by Jay-z, but in the early 2000s, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel and Cam'ron all had their collective cliques under the Roc umbrella, and at the center of it all was label producer Just Blaze. Having to balance relationships between the competitive sub-camps got difficult at times, and during Wednesday's "RapFix Live," Just broke down his fallout with former Roc signee Cam'ron.
"Obviously, there was a division starting to happen between the camps," Just told MTV News' Sway Calloway. "Whereas Roc-a-Fella used to encompass Get Low, State Property, Diplomats, M.O.P., all of a sudden you start...
- 5/12/2011
- MTV Music News
Bleek tells MTV News how the Marcy Projects alums teamed up and how an outsize lunch order nearly kept Memph off Reasonable Doubt.
By Steven Roberts
Memphis Bleek and Jay-z
Photo: Martin McNeil/ WireImage
Jay-z's career has grown and evolved in a number of ways over the years, but one constant has been the man at his side — whether onstage or off — Memphis Bleek. In Jay's soon-to-be-published memoir, "Decoded," he devotes much of the chapter titled "Honor Among Predators" to Bleek, who recently spoke to MTV News about their early introductions.
In the chapter, Hov recounts getting the opportunity to tour with Big Daddy Kane in the late 1980s and how much he learned from the veteran Brooklyn Mc. When it came time to record his first album, Reasonable Doubt, Jay said he wanted to do a song that loosely paralleled that experience: a young pupil gaining tutelage in the...
By Steven Roberts
Memphis Bleek and Jay-z
Photo: Martin McNeil/ WireImage
Jay-z's career has grown and evolved in a number of ways over the years, but one constant has been the man at his side — whether onstage or off — Memphis Bleek. In Jay's soon-to-be-published memoir, "Decoded," he devotes much of the chapter titled "Honor Among Predators" to Bleek, who recently spoke to MTV News about their early introductions.
In the chapter, Hov recounts getting the opportunity to tour with Big Daddy Kane in the late 1980s and how much he learned from the veteran Brooklyn Mc. When it came time to record his first album, Reasonable Doubt, Jay said he wanted to do a song that loosely paralleled that experience: a young pupil gaining tutelage in the...
- 11/15/2010
- MTV Music News
Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, 50 Cent also make appearances at last of four Home and Home concerts.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Jay-z performs at Yankee Stadium on Monday
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
New York — Like a good cleanup man in baseball, Jay-z delivers big hits on a consistent basis.
On Tuesday night (September 14) at Yankee Stadium, the Brooklyn rapper closed out the fourth of his and Eminem's Home and Home shows (two in Detroit, two in the Bronx) with a performance that would make A-Rod envious.
"Break a record in this bitch, Hov," he rapped during a freestyle right after the opening number, the intro to his The Dynasty: Roc La Familia album. "Hit them with that Balco."
The Roc Nation head, however, wouldn't need any performance-enhancing substances to give him an extra boost on this night. He confidently cruised through 90 minutes of material; Jay-z was just as cool as the fall night.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Jay-z performs at Yankee Stadium on Monday
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
New York — Like a good cleanup man in baseball, Jay-z delivers big hits on a consistent basis.
On Tuesday night (September 14) at Yankee Stadium, the Brooklyn rapper closed out the fourth of his and Eminem's Home and Home shows (two in Detroit, two in the Bronx) with a performance that would make A-Rod envious.
"Break a record in this bitch, Hov," he rapped during a freestyle right after the opening number, the intro to his The Dynasty: Roc La Familia album. "Hit them with that Balco."
The Roc Nation head, however, wouldn't need any performance-enhancing substances to give him an extra boost on this night. He confidently cruised through 90 minutes of material; Jay-z was just as cool as the fall night.
- 9/15/2010
- MTV Music News
Drake, Chris Martin, Nicki Minaj also appear at first New York stop of Home and Home tour.
By Shaheem Reid
Eminem and Jay-z perform at Yankee Stadium on Monday
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
New York — A year ago, Jay-z showed why he's music's Emperor of the Empire State with a historic charity concert at Madison Square Garden, which Jay called "the house that Hovie built." On Monday night, "the God Mc" took his mastery of performance to the front stoop of Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, Yankee Stadium. And because that's no setting in which to go small, he brought out special guests like Kanye West, Drake, Chris Martin, Swizz Beatz, Nicki Minaj and, of course, Beyoncé.
After kicking off in Detroit two weeks ago, Jay and Eminem's Home and Home concerts landed on the Jiggaman's soil for shows on Monday and Tuesday (September 14). This time, after J. Cole opened,...
By Shaheem Reid
Eminem and Jay-z perform at Yankee Stadium on Monday
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
New York — A year ago, Jay-z showed why he's music's Emperor of the Empire State with a historic charity concert at Madison Square Garden, which Jay called "the house that Hovie built." On Monday night, "the God Mc" took his mastery of performance to the front stoop of Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, Yankee Stadium. And because that's no setting in which to go small, he brought out special guests like Kanye West, Drake, Chris Martin, Swizz Beatz, Nicki Minaj and, of course, Beyoncé.
After kicking off in Detroit two weeks ago, Jay and Eminem's Home and Home concerts landed on the Jiggaman's soil for shows on Monday and Tuesday (September 14). This time, after J. Cole opened,...
- 9/14/2010
- MTV Music News
'Michael Jackson used to do that back in the day,' 50 says.
By Shaheem Reid
50 Cent
Photo: MTV News
Welcome back to Tri-State Stadium Status 50 Cent. The leader of the G-Unit hasn't been seen in a major stadium in his hometown area since Hot 97's 2004 Summer Jam at Giants Stadium, where he was involved in the infamous chair-throwing incident with some rivals from Queens.
For years, fans have missed Fif and the Unit at the annual mega-concert. Well, last night, the Unit returned in their entirety during Eminem and Jay-z's Home and Home concert at Yankee Stadium. 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo appeared onstage together during the first of two stadium shows on two consecutive nights. Although later in the night, Drake and Jay-z performed "Light Up," it was the collective from Queens who literally lit up onstage, not just with "I Get Money," "In Da Club" and "Beamer,...
By Shaheem Reid
50 Cent
Photo: MTV News
Welcome back to Tri-State Stadium Status 50 Cent. The leader of the G-Unit hasn't been seen in a major stadium in his hometown area since Hot 97's 2004 Summer Jam at Giants Stadium, where he was involved in the infamous chair-throwing incident with some rivals from Queens.
For years, fans have missed Fif and the Unit at the annual mega-concert. Well, last night, the Unit returned in their entirety during Eminem and Jay-z's Home and Home concert at Yankee Stadium. 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo appeared onstage together during the first of two stadium shows on two consecutive nights. Although later in the night, Drake and Jay-z performed "Light Up," it was the collective from Queens who literally lit up onstage, not just with "I Get Money," "In Da Club" and "Beamer,...
- 9/14/2010
- MTV Music News
On Thursday night (September 2), Eminem and Jay-z took over Detroit's Comerica Park and delivered an epic concert that ranks up there with one of the hugest nights in hip-hop history. The pair of them obviously delivered incredible performances, but they also trotted out a cavalcade of extra-special guests for collaborations and special appearances. Dr. Dre, D12, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Drake, Young Jeezy and Memphis Bleek all made appearances on stage to drop guest verses and hype up the crowd on some of the biggest songs in the history of rap music (including a run through Dre's "Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang," with Eminem taking Snoop Dogg's iconic lines).
The whole spectacle, with some of the biggest names in hip-hop (and thus the biggest names in all of music) all sharing stage time, recalled another great event in music history: "The Last Waltz," the gigantic retirement concert by the Band.
The whole spectacle, with some of the biggest names in hip-hop (and thus the biggest names in all of music) all sharing stage time, recalled another great event in music history: "The Last Waltz," the gigantic retirement concert by the Band.
- 9/3/2010
- by Kyle Anderson
- MTV Newsroom
D12, 50 Cent and G-Unit, Young Jeezy also hit Comerica Park stage as Em, Hov unleash flurry of hits on first stop of Home and Home Tour.
By Shaheem Reid
Eminem and Jay-z perform in Detroit on Thursday
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
Detroit hasn't screamed this loud at a baseball park since Kirk Gibson was hitting home runs in the 1984 World Series. Hip-hop history was made as Jay-z and Eminem co-headlined the Motor City's Comerica Park (home of the D-Town Tigers for the past decade) on Thursday night (September 2), the first of two shows on consecutive nights.
While Jay's high-grossing touring schedule helped him to top this year's Forbes' "Hip-Hop Cash King" list, Eminem took a much-needed sabbatical to deal with a myriad of personal issues. Now beyond his darkest hour, Em had one of his brightest moments ever onstage. Not only did he gift his hometown with a seemingly endless string of hits,...
By Shaheem Reid
Eminem and Jay-z perform in Detroit on Thursday
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
Detroit hasn't screamed this loud at a baseball park since Kirk Gibson was hitting home runs in the 1984 World Series. Hip-hop history was made as Jay-z and Eminem co-headlined the Motor City's Comerica Park (home of the D-Town Tigers for the past decade) on Thursday night (September 2), the first of two shows on consecutive nights.
While Jay's high-grossing touring schedule helped him to top this year's Forbes' "Hip-Hop Cash King" list, Eminem took a much-needed sabbatical to deal with a myriad of personal issues. Now beyond his darkest hour, Em had one of his brightest moments ever onstage. Not only did he gift his hometown with a seemingly endless string of hits,...
- 9/3/2010
- MTV Music News
'What [Detroit] got was an evening that may well go down as a milestone for hip-hop,' Brian McCollum wrote in USA Today.
By Paul Cantor
Eminem performs in Detroit on Thursday
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
It's one thing to produce a legendary concert, it's another for it to actually go down without a hitch. Jay-z and Eminem set the bar pretty high for themselves back in May when they announced they'd be performing two nights of stadium shows in each of their respective hometowns. That's literally months of anticipation, and anything could have gone wrong during that time.
But according to early reports, last night's show at Detroit's Comerica Park was nothing short of historical.
"What [Detroit] got was an evening that may well go down as a milestone for hip-hop," Brian McCollum wrote in USA Today. "Rock 'n' roll has its enduring concert superstars, its Springsteens and Stones. But for...
By Paul Cantor
Eminem performs in Detroit on Thursday
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
It's one thing to produce a legendary concert, it's another for it to actually go down without a hitch. Jay-z and Eminem set the bar pretty high for themselves back in May when they announced they'd be performing two nights of stadium shows in each of their respective hometowns. That's literally months of anticipation, and anything could have gone wrong during that time.
But according to early reports, last night's show at Detroit's Comerica Park was nothing short of historical.
"What [Detroit] got was an evening that may well go down as a milestone for hip-hop," Brian McCollum wrote in USA Today. "Rock 'n' roll has its enduring concert superstars, its Springsteens and Stones. But for...
- 9/3/2010
- MTV Music News
Roc Nation head also reaches into his back catalog for 'Hovi Baby,' 'Can I Live' and more.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Jay-z performs at the 2010 World Basketball Festival at Radio City on August 12
Photo: Getty Images
New York -- At Nike's World Basketball Festival, NBA All-Stars Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, and Rajon Rondo kept fans entertained as they defeated the Lamar Odom-led white team in overtime, but it was Jay-z who capped the event with the night's best performance.
The Brooklyn rapper was the special musical guest on the bill, and he was more automatic than Stephen Curry from the baseline corner. "I only got 20 minutes, so I can't wait for you to warm up," Hov said, sauntering from side to side onstage.
Performing in front of a crowd that included LeBron James, Khloé Kardashian, and Spike Lee, the iconic Mc scattered an array of classic and current hits throughout his brief set.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Jay-z performs at the 2010 World Basketball Festival at Radio City on August 12
Photo: Getty Images
New York -- At Nike's World Basketball Festival, NBA All-Stars Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, and Rajon Rondo kept fans entertained as they defeated the Lamar Odom-led white team in overtime, but it was Jay-z who capped the event with the night's best performance.
The Brooklyn rapper was the special musical guest on the bill, and he was more automatic than Stephen Curry from the baseline corner. "I only got 20 minutes, so I can't wait for you to warm up," Hov said, sauntering from side to side onstage.
Performing in front of a crowd that included LeBron James, Khloé Kardashian, and Spike Lee, the iconic Mc scattered an array of classic and current hits throughout his brief set.
- 8/12/2010
- MTV Music News
Drake and band work out kinks in 'Find Your Love.'
By Jayson Rodriguez
Drake
Photo: MTV
Most rappers perform on stage alongside a hype man, from Jay-z and Memphis Bleek to Busta Rhymes and Spliff Star.
But Drake — who is already unlike most MCs because he also sings during performances — worries about his background singers when he puts his shows more than who'll rap next to him.
Prior to a recent performance in Toronto, the hometown star decided during his rehearsal that his set would need more than just the band backing him.
"If I had a female voice," he says in an exclusive outtake from MTV's "Drake: Better Than Good Enough" documentary. "Someone else to go back and forth [with].
His keyboard player and musical confidant "D10" asks if Drake felt overwhelmed performing "Find Your Love" (which he also performed on "The Tonight Show" last night) onstage by himself.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Drake
Photo: MTV
Most rappers perform on stage alongside a hype man, from Jay-z and Memphis Bleek to Busta Rhymes and Spliff Star.
But Drake — who is already unlike most MCs because he also sings during performances — worries about his background singers when he puts his shows more than who'll rap next to him.
Prior to a recent performance in Toronto, the hometown star decided during his rehearsal that his set would need more than just the band backing him.
"If I had a female voice," he says in an exclusive outtake from MTV's "Drake: Better Than Good Enough" documentary. "Someone else to go back and forth [with].
His keyboard player and musical confidant "D10" asks if Drake felt overwhelmed performing "Find Your Love" (which he also performed on "The Tonight Show" last night) onstage by himself.
- 6/24/2010
- MTV Music News
By Jayson Rodriguez
We know Betty White and Jay-z will appear in sketches together this weekend during their appearance on "Saturday Night Live." But the MTV News team thought it'd be just as interesting — maybe wacky? — if the two stars also shared the stage together during Hov's musical performance.
Here, we list the top five Jigga/Betty collabos we'd like to see.
"Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)"
Jay-z's ode to the underdogs who rose to the top would be a fitting marriage of his rags to riches story and White's Tinseltown fortitude. And while White doesn't have much theater experience under her belt, we're sure the feisty octogenarian has the chops to pull of the Annie impersonation on the song's chorus. This pairing would be quite the production.
"You, Me, Him, And Her"
This gem from Jay-z's 2000 album The Dynasty: Roc La Familia features Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel and the...
We know Betty White and Jay-z will appear in sketches together this weekend during their appearance on "Saturday Night Live." But the MTV News team thought it'd be just as interesting — maybe wacky? — if the two stars also shared the stage together during Hov's musical performance.
Here, we list the top five Jigga/Betty collabos we'd like to see.
"Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)"
Jay-z's ode to the underdogs who rose to the top would be a fitting marriage of his rags to riches story and White's Tinseltown fortitude. And while White doesn't have much theater experience under her belt, we're sure the feisty octogenarian has the chops to pull of the Annie impersonation on the song's chorus. This pairing would be quite the production.
"You, Me, Him, And Her"
This gem from Jay-z's 2000 album The Dynasty: Roc La Familia features Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel and the...
- 5/7/2010
- by MTV News
- MTV Newsroom
'This is a way for me to reach out to people,' he tells Mixtape Daily about his talent competition.
By Shaheem Reid
Ty Fyffe
Photo: Courtesy of Ty Fyffe
Behind the Beats: Ty Fyffe
Queens native Ty Fyffe has them all from The G-Unit to Michael Jackson.
"It was a life-changing experience," he said about visiting Michael Jackson at the King of Pop's home. At the time in the early '90s, Fife was under the tutelage of Teddy Riley and living in Virginia.
"Ted was working with Mike heavy after the success of Dangerous," Fyffe added. "He took me and one of his boys down to Neverland. Mike was working on the 'Addams Family Values' soundtrack. It was crazy that I went to the joint. We was in his movie theater."
After Riley, Fyffe went on to learn from Erick Sermon.
"That was my second half of learning production,...
By Shaheem Reid
Ty Fyffe
Photo: Courtesy of Ty Fyffe
Behind the Beats: Ty Fyffe
Queens native Ty Fyffe has them all from The G-Unit to Michael Jackson.
"It was a life-changing experience," he said about visiting Michael Jackson at the King of Pop's home. At the time in the early '90s, Fife was under the tutelage of Teddy Riley and living in Virginia.
"Ted was working with Mike heavy after the success of Dangerous," Fyffe added. "He took me and one of his boys down to Neverland. Mike was working on the 'Addams Family Values' soundtrack. It was crazy that I went to the joint. We was in his movie theater."
After Riley, Fyffe went on to learn from Erick Sermon.
"That was my second half of learning production,...
- 3/19/2010
- MTV Music News
Mc, signed to Memphis Bleek's Get Low Records, Mc, signed to Memphis Bleek's Get Low Records, was killed Saturday morning.
By Shaheem Reid
Spike Lee, Memphis Bleek and G Baby
Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images
New York rapper G Baby (real name: Gregory Brown), 22, was shot and killed in Queens, New York, early Saturday, a representative for the New York Police Department confirmed to MTV News on Monday (March 15). G Baby was signed to longtime Jay-z associate Memphis Bleek's Get Low Records.
Bleek tweeted about G Baby Saturday, writing, "I'm in a mood I can't explain. I lost a real n---a 2day. R.I.P. to my n---a G Baby who was like a bro to me!! G. Baby ..." Before performing with Jay-z in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Saturday night, he tweeted again: "2nite goes out for the baby boy G. I got u my...
By Shaheem Reid
Spike Lee, Memphis Bleek and G Baby
Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images
New York rapper G Baby (real name: Gregory Brown), 22, was shot and killed in Queens, New York, early Saturday, a representative for the New York Police Department confirmed to MTV News on Monday (March 15). G Baby was signed to longtime Jay-z associate Memphis Bleek's Get Low Records.
Bleek tweeted about G Baby Saturday, writing, "I'm in a mood I can't explain. I lost a real n---a 2day. R.I.P. to my n---a G Baby who was like a bro to me!! G. Baby ..." Before performing with Jay-z in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Saturday night, he tweeted again: "2nite goes out for the baby boy G. I got u my...
- 3/15/2010
- MTV Music News
Mc enjoys a late dinner with Wonder, Robin Thicke after show, then catches Manny Pacquiao/ Joshua Clottey boxing match.
By Shaheem Reid
Jay-z performs in Atlantic City on Saturday
Photo: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Jay-z doesn't just bring the stars out onstage — earlier this month at New York's Madison Square Garden, for example, Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James, Diddy, Rick Ross and Gwyneth Paltrow were among the spectators taking in his BP3 show (and while Lil Wayne appeared onstage during Young Jeezy's opening set, he probably caught some of Jigga's show from backstage). And for Jay's sold-out Saturday night show at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Stevie Wonder, Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, Fantasia, Adrienne Bailon, Robin Thicke and two of the "Real Housewives of New Jersey," Teresa Giudice and Jacqueline Laurita, were in the audience.
The show was a tough one for Memphis Bleek,...
By Shaheem Reid
Jay-z performs in Atlantic City on Saturday
Photo: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Jay-z doesn't just bring the stars out onstage — earlier this month at New York's Madison Square Garden, for example, Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James, Diddy, Rick Ross and Gwyneth Paltrow were among the spectators taking in his BP3 show (and while Lil Wayne appeared onstage during Young Jeezy's opening set, he probably caught some of Jigga's show from backstage). And for Jay's sold-out Saturday night show at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Stevie Wonder, Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, Fantasia, Adrienne Bailon, Robin Thicke and two of the "Real Housewives of New Jersey," Teresa Giudice and Jacqueline Laurita, were in the audience.
The show was a tough one for Memphis Bleek,...
- 3/15/2010
- MTV Music News
A crazy Jay-z fan got violently thrown off the concert stage last night. According to TMZ and the clip (below), a crazy,dumb fan made his way onto the stage at a Jay-z concert last night,and payed the price by getting violently thrown off the high stage. We don't know if he got injured,but he's gotta at least be sore from that fall. Geez !! They say Jay-z's security team made quick work of a stage crasher during Jay-z's concert in Washington D.C. last night. The dumb fan bull-rushed the stage,while Jay-z and Memphis Bleek were in the middle of a performance. They continued rapping,while their well-dressed bodyguard grabbed the stage crashing fan,and literally threw him flying off the stage.
- 3/5/2010
- by Eric
- OnTheFlix
Jay gets some help from Young Jeezy, Trey Songz, Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj and other special guests.
By Shaheem Reid
Jay-z performs at Madison Square Garden Tuesday
Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images
New York — There is always palpable exhilaration whenever Jay-z plays Madison Square Garden. Tuesday night (March 2) was another sold-out show at Msg as Hov's Blueprint 3 Tour arrived in town.
After Trey Songz played up to the ladies with his set, there was a short intermission. Like lightning -- boom! The Beastie Boys' "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" video began playing on two big screens that hung over the stage, and a 10-minute countdown began perfectly in sync with the classic hip-hop track. Hova chants started several minutes prior to that.
Finally, with no time left on the clock, Jay's music began. He was greeted with a deafening roar of approval. "Feel it coming in the air," Rihanna's...
By Shaheem Reid
Jay-z performs at Madison Square Garden Tuesday
Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images
New York — There is always palpable exhilaration whenever Jay-z plays Madison Square Garden. Tuesday night (March 2) was another sold-out show at Msg as Hov's Blueprint 3 Tour arrived in town.
After Trey Songz played up to the ladies with his set, there was a short intermission. Like lightning -- boom! The Beastie Boys' "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" video began playing on two big screens that hung over the stage, and a 10-minute countdown began perfectly in sync with the classic hip-hop track. Hova chants started several minutes prior to that.
Finally, with no time left on the clock, Jay's music began. He was greeted with a deafening roar of approval. "Feel it coming in the air," Rihanna's...
- 3/3/2010
- MTV Music News
Jay-z officially kicked off the second leg of his North American Blueprint 3 tour on Saturday, February 20 night at Sunrise, Fla.'s The BankAtlantic Center. Spotted among the audience were his wife Beyonce Knowles, fellow rapper P. Diddy, and sportsman Alex Rodriguez.
Trey Songz warmed up the sold-out show with some of his R&B songs like "I Invented Sex" and "Say Aah". Then the main act emerged from under the stage for a performance of "Run This Town" sans the album version collaborators.
Also included in the play list that night were "Already Home" and "Empire State of Mind", the latter of which was sung with Bridget Kelly's assistance. All the while, the backdrops displayed the New York City's skyline which matches the album's concept in honor of the city.
His protege Memphis Bleek was brought on stage in a couple of songs. About half into the show, Young Jeezy...
Trey Songz warmed up the sold-out show with some of his R&B songs like "I Invented Sex" and "Say Aah". Then the main act emerged from under the stage for a performance of "Run This Town" sans the album version collaborators.
Also included in the play list that night were "Already Home" and "Empire State of Mind", the latter of which was sung with Bridget Kelly's assistance. All the while, the backdrops displayed the New York City's skyline which matches the album's concept in honor of the city.
His protege Memphis Bleek was brought on stage in a couple of songs. About half into the show, Young Jeezy...
- 2/22/2010
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Former Roc-a-Fella rapper calls Beans' recent comments 'pointless,' in Mixtape Daily.
By Shaheem Reid
Memphis Bleek
Photo: MTV News
The O.D.: A Mixtape Daily Exclusive
By the time you read this, Memphis Bleek will have flown out of New Jersey and landed in Florida to meet Jay-z. The two are rehearsing for the next leg of the Blueprint 3 Tour for the next couple of days, and the real thing kicks off this weekend.
Although we haven't heard a lot of Memph's music the last three years, he has constantly been performing at Jay-z's shows and keeping a close bond with the cat he used to borrow sugar from in the Marcy Projects. When Bleek drops his next album, The Process, later this year, things will be different. The independent release will be his first album not coming through Roc-a-Fella records.
"It was mutual," Bleek said about not...
By Shaheem Reid
Memphis Bleek
Photo: MTV News
The O.D.: A Mixtape Daily Exclusive
By the time you read this, Memphis Bleek will have flown out of New Jersey and landed in Florida to meet Jay-z. The two are rehearsing for the next leg of the Blueprint 3 Tour for the next couple of days, and the real thing kicks off this weekend.
Although we haven't heard a lot of Memph's music the last three years, he has constantly been performing at Jay-z's shows and keeping a close bond with the cat he used to borrow sugar from in the Marcy Projects. When Bleek drops his next album, The Process, later this year, things will be different. The independent release will be his first album not coming through Roc-a-Fella records.
"It was mutual," Bleek said about not...
- 2/18/2010
- MTV Music News
Former Roc-a-Fella rapper calls Beans' recent comments 'pointless,' in Mixtape Daily.
By Shaheem Reid
Memphis Bleek
Photo: MTV News
The O.D.: A Mixtape Daily Exclusive
By the time you read this, Memphis Bleek will have flown out of New Jersey and landed in Florida to meet Jay-z. The two are rehearsing for the next leg of the Blueprint 3 Tour for the next couple of days, and the real thing kicks off this weekend.
Although we haven't heard a lot of Memph's music the last three years, he has constantly been performing at Jay-z's shows and keeping a close bond with the cat he used to borrow sugar from in the Marcy Projects. When Bleek drops his next album, The Process, later this year, things will be different. The independent release will be his first album not coming through Roc-a-Fella records.
"It was mutual," Bleek said about not...
By Shaheem Reid
Memphis Bleek
Photo: MTV News
The O.D.: A Mixtape Daily Exclusive
By the time you read this, Memphis Bleek will have flown out of New Jersey and landed in Florida to meet Jay-z. The two are rehearsing for the next leg of the Blueprint 3 Tour for the next couple of days, and the real thing kicks off this weekend.
Although we haven't heard a lot of Memph's music the last three years, he has constantly been performing at Jay-z's shows and keeping a close bond with the cat he used to borrow sugar from in the Marcy Projects. When Bleek drops his next album, The Process, later this year, things will be different. The independent release will be his first album not coming through Roc-a-Fella records.
"It was mutual," Bleek said about not...
- 2/18/2010
- MTV Music News
Former Roc-a-Fella artist raps about beef over the classic Pat Benatar song.
By Shaheem Reid
Freeway
Photo: Gregg Delman
Freeway is using Pat Benatar to give his point of view on the Jay-z/ Beanie Sigel rift. The former Roc-a-Fella artist just put out a new record lightly touching on the public falling-out of his onetime team members. Wednesday morning (December 2) on her Shade 45 satellite radio show, host Angela Yee debuted Free's "Love Is a Battlefield."
"I ain't saying n---as left us in the 'hood, but we ate our little food, did the dishes cleaned the plates up," he raps over a sample of Benatar's classic '80s song. "You was eating steak while we was eating Steak-umm/ But I never complained/ Dapped you up and tipped the waiter. ...
"I can't get the president on the phone, I'm fine," Free continues. " 'Cause I got the evidence in my home/ The plaques/ Freezer body tracks.
By Shaheem Reid
Freeway
Photo: Gregg Delman
Freeway is using Pat Benatar to give his point of view on the Jay-z/ Beanie Sigel rift. The former Roc-a-Fella artist just put out a new record lightly touching on the public falling-out of his onetime team members. Wednesday morning (December 2) on her Shade 45 satellite radio show, host Angela Yee debuted Free's "Love Is a Battlefield."
"I ain't saying n---as left us in the 'hood, but we ate our little food, did the dishes cleaned the plates up," he raps over a sample of Benatar's classic '80s song. "You was eating steak while we was eating Steak-umm/ But I never complained/ Dapped you up and tipped the waiter. ...
"I can't get the president on the phone, I'm fine," Free continues. " 'Cause I got the evidence in my home/ The plaques/ Freezer body tracks.
- 12/2/2009
- MTV Music News
Former Roc-a-Fella mogul drops latest album from the Black Keys on his new label this month.
By Shaheem Reid
Dame Dash
Photo: MTV News
Dame Dash isn't worried about rumors; he's just worried about how he looks in the photos that accompany the stories. "When I be in the newspaper, I just worry about what the picture looks like," he laughed. "The bigger the picture, the better. I don't even see the headline."
He chuckles when he reads about his rumored financial status — and, judging by his space that houses an art gallery, two music studios, offices for his magazine and a television studio, he seems to be doing fine.
"I have fun everyday," Dash said about his life post-Roc-a-Fella. "The problem is, I think people take themselves a little bit too serious. I'm happy to be a part of history so many different times in so many different ways.
By Shaheem Reid
Dame Dash
Photo: MTV News
Dame Dash isn't worried about rumors; he's just worried about how he looks in the photos that accompany the stories. "When I be in the newspaper, I just worry about what the picture looks like," he laughed. "The bigger the picture, the better. I don't even see the headline."
He chuckles when he reads about his rumored financial status — and, judging by his space that houses an art gallery, two music studios, offices for his magazine and a television studio, he seems to be doing fine.
"I have fun everyday," Dash said about his life post-Roc-a-Fella. "The problem is, I think people take themselves a little bit too serious. I'm happy to be a part of history so many different times in so many different ways.
- 11/23/2009
- MTV Music News
Sigel 'hopes' Jay will respond to his and 50 Cent's 'I Go Off,' but says he'll soften his stance if he and Hov talk.
By Shaheem Reid
Beanie Sigel and Jay-z
Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images
Beanie Sigel maintains he is ready to engage in a battle with Jay-z — that is, unless he and Jigga have a heart-to-heart. On Saturday, Beans called into Shade 45 and talked to DJ Whoo Kid.
"I hope so, for the sport," Beanie told Whoo Kid about whether Jay will throw lines back at him, thus igniting a full-fledged rhyme war. "I'm ready to stretch my legs. I'm ready to jump in the ring."
On Friday, Beanie and 50 Cent put out the song "I Go Off," and although Beanie didn't directly throw lines at Hov, 50 called the Jiggaman out toward the end of the record. Last month, Beanie called out Jay in the song "What You...
By Shaheem Reid
Beanie Sigel and Jay-z
Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images
Beanie Sigel maintains he is ready to engage in a battle with Jay-z — that is, unless he and Jigga have a heart-to-heart. On Saturday, Beans called into Shade 45 and talked to DJ Whoo Kid.
"I hope so, for the sport," Beanie told Whoo Kid about whether Jay will throw lines back at him, thus igniting a full-fledged rhyme war. "I'm ready to stretch my legs. I'm ready to jump in the ring."
On Friday, Beanie and 50 Cent put out the song "I Go Off," and although Beanie didn't directly throw lines at Hov, 50 called the Jiggaman out toward the end of the record. Last month, Beanie called out Jay in the song "What You...
- 11/16/2009
- MTV Music News
'He has a lot to complain about, not me,' Jay says.
By Shaheem Reid
Jay-z
Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
Jay-z says he did his part when it came to supporting Beanie Sigel. Over the weekend, footage hit the Net of Jay at a press conference that reportedly took place on October 30 in Toronto.
A journalist asked Jay for his reaction to Beanie going public with some grievances against Jay in his new song, "What You Talkin' About (Average Cat)." Beanie apparently feels his material wasn't promoted as heavily by the Roc boss as it could have been.
"He has a lot to complain about, not me," Jay started out in a jovial manner. Then he got a little more serious.
"Well, Beanie Sigel, at the time — and you can look it up if you like, just to be honest — was driving two Bentleys. I don't know how; it's...
By Shaheem Reid
Jay-z
Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
Jay-z says he did his part when it came to supporting Beanie Sigel. Over the weekend, footage hit the Net of Jay at a press conference that reportedly took place on October 30 in Toronto.
A journalist asked Jay for his reaction to Beanie going public with some grievances against Jay in his new song, "What You Talkin' About (Average Cat)." Beanie apparently feels his material wasn't promoted as heavily by the Roc boss as it could have been.
"He has a lot to complain about, not me," Jay started out in a jovial manner. Then he got a little more serious.
"Well, Beanie Sigel, at the time — and you can look it up if you like, just to be honest — was driving two Bentleys. I don't know how; it's...
- 11/2/2009
- MTV Music News
Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, John Mayer, Pharrell, Kid Cudi and Santigold also join Hov onstage at Madison Square Garden.
By Shaheem Reid
Kanye West, Jay-z and Rihanna perform in NYC Friday night
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ Getty Images
New York — Jay-z returned to Madison Square Garden on Friday night (September 11) and left no question about who is running the Big Apple.
Diddy, Pharrell, John Mayer, Mary J. Blige, Kid Cudi, Santigold and Beyoncé were among those who joined him onstage at the "Answer the Call" benefit concert. The proceeds from the show will benefit families who lost loved ones in the 9/11 tragedy. The overwhelming guest spot of the night was, hands down, the first live performance of "Run This Town" with Rihanna and Kanye West.
Before performing the song, Jay addressed the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
"They believed that it would weaken us; they were sadly mistaken," he said. "I saw the...
By Shaheem Reid
Kanye West, Jay-z and Rihanna perform in NYC Friday night
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ Getty Images
New York — Jay-z returned to Madison Square Garden on Friday night (September 11) and left no question about who is running the Big Apple.
Diddy, Pharrell, John Mayer, Mary J. Blige, Kid Cudi, Santigold and Beyoncé were among those who joined him onstage at the "Answer the Call" benefit concert. The proceeds from the show will benefit families who lost loved ones in the 9/11 tragedy. The overwhelming guest spot of the night was, hands down, the first live performance of "Run This Town" with Rihanna and Kanye West.
Before performing the song, Jay addressed the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
"They believed that it would weaken us; they were sadly mistaken," he said. "I saw the...
- 9/12/2009
- MTV Music News
Music producer Timbaland has apologised to Jay-z for accidentally leaking several songs from his new album over two weeks before its release. Several Timbaland beats earmarked for the rapper's The Blueprint 3 surfaced online in August. Jay-z's collaborator Memphis Bleek publicly blasted the producer for the songs leaking, declaring that one of his employees must have been responsible for the LP making its way online. According to Contactmusic, the 'Run This Town' star said: "Bleek's my guy so he's super-protective, so he's hurt. I think they (culprits) hacked [Timbaland's] account. "[After the leak] I called [Timbaland] (more)...
- 9/11/2009
- by By Oli Simpson
- Digital Spy
There is a tremendous amount of anticipation surrounding this Sunday's Video Music Awards — especially the Jay-z collaboration with Alicia Keys on the Blueprint 3 track "Empire State of Mind." But there's another hotly-anticipated Jigga performance that happens tonight at Madison Square Garden. Jay sold out the venue in a matter of minutes, and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund. Hova has a handful of reasons why he got tonight's show together: He grew up in Brooklyn, his album The Blueprint came out on September 11, 2001, and when the event originally happened Jay was in Los Angeles, so he was unable to physically be in his home city to help out.
Tonight's show promises to be emotional, and if it's anything like the free show he gave earlier this week at New York's Blender Theater, it will also be an energetic display of Jigga's hip-hop prowess.
Tonight's show promises to be emotional, and if it's anything like the free show he gave earlier this week at New York's Blender Theater, it will also be an energetic display of Jigga's hip-hop prowess.
- 9/11/2009
- by Kyle Anderson
- MTV Newsroom
Alarms sounded in middle of Blender Theater concert.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Jay-z performs at New York's Blender Theater on Wednesday
Photo: Brian Ach/ WireImage
New York — Jay-z set the stage on fire Wednesday night at Manhattan's Blender Theater (figuratively speaking, of course). But that didn't stop local fire officials from barging into the venue as the rapper's scheduled 45-minute set extended just past an hour.
Hov, however, gave the crowd at the MySpace/ "DJ Hero"-sponsored event fair warning. After running through hits like "Show Me What You Got," "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)" and "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)," Jay-z said he was just getting started.
"They told me to give y'all 45 minutes," he said from the stage, clad in all black except for three red stripes on his shirt sleeve signifying his new album, The Blueprint 3. "I think I'mma go an hour and 15. I need more time for my records.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Jay-z performs at New York's Blender Theater on Wednesday
Photo: Brian Ach/ WireImage
New York — Jay-z set the stage on fire Wednesday night at Manhattan's Blender Theater (figuratively speaking, of course). But that didn't stop local fire officials from barging into the venue as the rapper's scheduled 45-minute set extended just past an hour.
Hov, however, gave the crowd at the MySpace/ "DJ Hero"-sponsored event fair warning. After running through hits like "Show Me What You Got," "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)" and "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)," Jay-z said he was just getting started.
"They told me to give y'all 45 minutes," he said from the stage, clad in all black except for three red stripes on his shirt sleeve signifying his new album, The Blueprint 3. "I think I'mma go an hour and 15. I need more time for my records.
- 9/10/2009
- MTV Music News
By Gigi Abrantes
Since he first dropped his debut album in 1996, Jay-z became an instant classic on the hip-hop scene. Now that he is about to drop his 11th album The Blueprint 3, MTV News takes a look back at the history of one of the greatest artists in rap history with The J to Z of Jay-z.
For the past 13 years, Jay-z has produced phenomenal hit after phenomenal hit, from "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" and "Big Pimpin'" to "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" and "99 Problems." Whether his abilities are genetic or learned through years of training, his success proves that Hova has no problem marrying the gritty truth of the streets with hooky, soulful beats — a feat many MCs have attempted and failed. In an MTV News television interview conducted back in 1998, Jay-z discussed his earliest influences, which came from his parents' vinyl collection.
But putting aside his musical...
Since he first dropped his debut album in 1996, Jay-z became an instant classic on the hip-hop scene. Now that he is about to drop his 11th album The Blueprint 3, MTV News takes a look back at the history of one of the greatest artists in rap history with The J to Z of Jay-z.
For the past 13 years, Jay-z has produced phenomenal hit after phenomenal hit, from "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" and "Big Pimpin'" to "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" and "99 Problems." Whether his abilities are genetic or learned through years of training, his success proves that Hova has no problem marrying the gritty truth of the streets with hooky, soulful beats — a feat many MCs have attempted and failed. In an MTV News television interview conducted back in 1998, Jay-z discussed his earliest influences, which came from his parents' vinyl collection.
But putting aside his musical...
- 8/24/2009
- by MTV News
- MTV Newsroom
In response to Jay-z's calling him groupie, The Game fires back at the husband of Beyonce Knowles, saying he is ready for song battle. "If Jay responds with a song, it'll be on his album because he's a pretty smart dude, witty, and he knows it'll benefit him more to put it on 'The Blueprint', if and when he does, just be on the lookout for '400 Bars' ...I'm a really put my pen on the paper and really strike a match," he stated.
"There's one thing about Jay man, let's not confuse who it is we're talking about," The Game said in a phone interview with 103 Jams. "This dude is real slick, real witty and I never hated on his legacy or his old music but this new, everything he putting out to date is just trash."
"He just old and bitter and when anybody say my name in a rap,...
"There's one thing about Jay man, let's not confuse who it is we're talking about," The Game said in a phone interview with 103 Jams. "This dude is real slick, real witty and I never hated on his legacy or his old music but this new, everything he putting out to date is just trash."
"He just old and bitter and when anybody say my name in a rap,...
- 7/24/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Hov plays old hits, new material at casino concert.
By Shaheem Reid
Jay-z (file)
Photo: Ethan Miller/ Getty Images
Uncasville, Connecticut — Jay-z's rep says that the Mc's recent run of dates isn't really a proper tour, but it doesn't matter — fans always come out to see Hov because, like Michael Jordan in his prime, there's always a chance that they'll see something that hasn't been done before.
One thing fans didn't see at the Mohegan Sun casino resort in Connecticut on Friday night was Ciara, who'd opened other shows on this short string of dates but cancelled due to an unspecified illness. Instead, they got a set from Lupe Fiasco and a brief one from other tour opener Fabolous.
The two got the crowd primed for Jay, who took the stage dressed all in black and wearing a T-shirt that said "D.O.A." — which was also the name of song he opened with (a.
By Shaheem Reid
Jay-z (file)
Photo: Ethan Miller/ Getty Images
Uncasville, Connecticut — Jay-z's rep says that the Mc's recent run of dates isn't really a proper tour, but it doesn't matter — fans always come out to see Hov because, like Michael Jordan in his prime, there's always a chance that they'll see something that hasn't been done before.
One thing fans didn't see at the Mohegan Sun casino resort in Connecticut on Friday night was Ciara, who'd opened other shows on this short string of dates but cancelled due to an unspecified illness. Instead, they got a set from Lupe Fiasco and a brief one from other tour opener Fabolous.
The two got the crowd primed for Jay, who took the stage dressed all in black and wearing a T-shirt that said "D.O.A." — which was also the name of song he opened with (a.
- 7/11/2009
- MTV Music News
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