Jay-Z's Benefit and Tribute Concert on 9/11

I just read this OUTSTANDING article about Jay-Z and his 9/11 Tribute and Benefit Concert and thought you should read it exactly as it is, so I won't let my words get in the way. Here is the actual article I am reprinting for my fans and the link to the actual article: Jay Z Benefit

"More than any rapper and more than most pop stars, Jay-Z knows the significance of a moment.

The Brooklyn MC’s career is practically defined by them. There’s his Summer Jam obliteration of Mobb Deep’s Prodigy back in 2001, the same year he brought out Michael Jackson for Hot 97’s annual concert. There was his retirement show at Madison Square Garden captured in the documentary Fade to Black. And then there was his Radio City Music Hall show to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Reasonable Doubt. And who could forget the Best of Both Worlds fiasco with R. Kelly that turned into the celebrated Jay-Z and Friends jaunt. He’s even transformed festivals into his personal showcases, with his appearance at Glastonbury last year and All Points West this year.

But when Hov announced he’d be headlining a September 11th benefit show, to not only coincide with the anniversary of his classic album The Blueprint but also to mark the release of his latest effort, The Blueprint 3, one had to wonder if this ambitious slate reeked of opportunism.

It did not.

Last night at the Garden, Jay-Z delivered a carefully orchestrated and riveting show striking the the impossibly difficult balance of serving the cause and seizing another night that will stand out in his long list of historic performances.

“We celebrating life tonight, we having a good time,” Jay-Z told the sold-out audience, which included Diddy, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry and Chris Rock, among other celebrities. “But let’s not forget in 2001 when the first Blueprint came out terrorist attacked New York. They thought they would weaken us. They were sadly mistaken. We stand here even stronger. This is our town. We run New York City. We run this town.”

And with that, the blaring Rihanna’s wailing voice boomed over the sound system. The “Umbrella” star then appeared under the spotlight decked out in a dominatrix-like black outfit. “We are, yeah I said it, We are, This is Roc Nation, pledge your allegiance,” Jay-Z rapped.

Kanye West joined the pair toward the end of the song, completing the triumvirate as he jumped from the stairs on the middle of the stage. ‘Ye stuck around for a few more songs, diving into “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” before asking Big Brother if he can keep going.

“Let’s do it,” Jay replied.

“Good Life” then came on, sans T-Pain, and an animated West — complete with a new ‘do, with zig-zag lines cut into his hair — fumbled a few of his lines but saved himself with an impromptu freestyle. “I fucked up the flow, but everybody know, I gotta give a shout out to my big bro,” he spit, drawing a smile from Jay.

The parade of guest appearances continued with Pharell Williams, Swizz Beatz and Mary J. Blige joining Jay-Z. John Mayer also popped up to play guitar for Jay-Z on “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune).”

Throughout the set, Jay-Z dipped into catalog but also performed new songs from his recently released BP3. Upstart Kid Cudi arrived onstage to assist Hov on “Already Home,” where the legendary rapper eviscerates mouthy MCs who say Jay-Z’s tenure on top is in the way of their rise to fame.

“These niggas want me to go, don’t they know that I’m gone/ They know that I’m space shuttle level, they need oxyggggon/Don’t they know that I yawn/ Only time they exciting is when they mentioning Shawn,” he rapped.

The Timbaland-produced “Venus vs. Mars” was another new tracked Jay-Z performed. He closed the song out with a new freestyled verse at the end where he name-checked Kanye’s lady friend Amber Rose and financial villain Bernie Madoff. Seconds after he finished, Beyoncé, featured on the song’s chorus, emerged from the bowels of the Garden rising up through a trap door to perform “Diva.”

The star wattage was bright but the greatest applause of the night came in honor of the service men and women who protect our country on this tragic date eight years ago.

As “Young Forever” spilled out over the arena speakers, a beautiful montage of firefighters and police officers who lost their lives on 9/11 eight years ago appeared behind Jay-Z on a huge screen. “Make some noise for those that lost their lives so we could live ours,” Jay-Z said."

"written by Jayson Rodriguez"

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Anyway, you'll see what I'm talking about. Well without further ado:

Jay-Z an Opportunist...Not on 9/11?
Don't believe me....check this video out.....



Well until next time....
R. Steed (Big Goldie)
"Fluffy Puffy - The Media Mogul in Training"
www.dashowtv.com
www.arewenotentertained.blogspot.com

A True Ambassador to the Rap Game!!!

We have had many people come along in the 30 plus year history of Hip-Hop and represent us as a people and a culture rather properly. We have had political, cultural, social and artistic agendas carried out in the name of Good Music. However, there can be no Heaven if there is no Hell? I and countless fans of rap across the globe have had to put up with a Snow for every Tupac. We have had to put up with a PM Dawn for every Biggie. We have had (and some are still enduring) a Tony Yayo for every KRS-One. We have lived through our fair share of Ying-Yang Twins for every Public Enemy. There are SO MANY wack rappers out there, that I could talk for weeks about the sheer amount of BULLSHIT that passes itself off as rap these days.

Nas said Hip-Hop was dead. I have heard arguments on both sides of this issue. Is it dead? Whose fault is it? Can it be resurrected? Or has Hip-Hop simply taken on another form? Hip-Hop at its roots was ALWAYS about having a good time and recognizing the social ills that plagued our community. In the 80's during the crack epidemic, this changed. Rap was filled with stories from New York, the south but primarily the west coast of drugs, guns, women and excess. True 80's. Lyricism and content gave way to style and lack of substance. The saddest part of all of this is that if you listen to or are ever involved in an argument with people nowadays about what is good rap music. Especially kids. Oohhh, the pointless arguments about who is better, Soulja Boy or The GS Boys. Gimme a break. I have heard people say Plies or Lil Wayne is the Greatest. You can't be serious?

However, we have had an ambassador for the rap game return from a self imposed hiatus. Jay-Z is back. You heard it here FIRST, "The Blueprint 3" is TIGHT!!! Jay bowed out with "The Black Album", which was a good album with some memorable tracks. His so-called return in "Kingdom Come" was not a "TRUE" Jay Z album and I only say that in the alienation of his true base - taking streets raps and everyday situations and finding a way to relate them to people who have not lived them. Last Friday, Jay-Z appeared on Bill Maher's show on HBO. It was refreshing to listen to an interview that I didn't have to get the newest slang dictionary to decipher. It was nice to listen to someone not say, "Yaknowutumsayin" or "Nawmean" every few seconds. It was nice to watch an interview with a rap artist who wasn't so high that he didn't know where he was, let alone who he was talking to. It was nice to hear someone talk about the art involved and that they weren't shitting on the buying public and putting down just ANYTHING in the studio. I think all rap artists should watch this interview as part of their hip-hop orientation and learn about longevity and building your brand to something more than a brief period of being "paid" because you could buy some big ass necklaces and old school cars.

Anyway, you'll see what I'm talking about. Well without further ado:

Rap's True Ambassador Parts 1 - 4
Don't believe me....check these videos out.....

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Well until next time....
R. Steed (Big Goldie)
"Fluffy Puffy - The Media Mogul in Training"
www.dashowtv.com
www.arewenotentertained.blogspot.com