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Jan 1, 2013
Jay-Z & Cold Play Ring in the New Year!
Fans packed in to the arena well before Coldplay took the stage just before 10pm (celebs including Christina Aguilera and One Direction's Harry Styles were also in the house Monday night). Soon Barclays was alight with the synchronized blinking of the multi-colored lights on the bracelets each concertgoer had been given upon entering. Chris Martin, here parked at a piano, there vaulting around the stage, was a blur of energy as the band's 15-song set launched whole-crowd sing-a-longs ("The Scientist," "Paradise"), confetti canons, and even a herd of world-map beach balls unleashed on the audience. For "Princess of China," Rihanna appeared only as a multi-armed image on the screens throughout the space, her part of the duet a mere recording. "Viva La Vida" and "Yellow," meanwhile, won over revelers with just the music itself.
Early on, Martin asked the crowd to "please have a good time," and "cherish the people you love." Nearing the end of the 80-minute set, during which Martin name checked Jay-Z a handful of times, the band appeared suddenly on a platform in the middle of the 100 level sections to sing the ballad "Us Against The World," for the times when you and yours "feel like you can take on anything." The group's trek through the fan-filled floor all the way back to the mainstage elicited growing cheers that only increased when they launched into "Clocks," it's circular piano part and Martin's cooing "oohs" drowned out by the audience. But the applause and whistles and yells of approval reached a crescendo when Jay-Z, casual in a white t-shirt, took the stage to join Coldplay on "Lost."
DJ Cassidy spun old school jams from Michael Jackson to Journey as the crew converted Coldplay's Technicolor graffiti'd backdrop into Jay-Z's simple, black stage and the clock ticked so close to midnight, the ringing in of the new year was almost an anti-climax. But at literally the last moment, Jay appeared in his dapper suit and counted down the last seconds to 2013.
But with 2012 over, Jay was just getting started as he rolled into a non-stop 25-song set that opened with "Run This Town."
"I don't know how I'm going to top 2012," Jay said, looking like he wasn't worried a bit and biting into "On to the Next One" as arms waved and yet another cheer went up. As "Hovi Baby," "Feelin' It," "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It To Me)," and especially "Izzo (H.O.V.A)" sped by, Jay rapped without seeming to take a breath, to barely stop, and making it all look easy, inspiring applause for every break when the music stopped and it was just his voice in a torrent of rhymes filling the whole arena alone.
"I don't know how I'm going to top 2012," Jay said, looking like he wasn't worried a bit and biting into "On to the Next One" as arms waved and yet another cheer went up. As "Hovi Baby," "Feelin' It," "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It To Me)," and especially "Izzo (H.O.V.A)" sped by, Jay rapped without seeming to take a breath, to barely stop, and making it all look easy, inspiring applause for every break when the music stopped and it was just his voice in a torrent of rhymes filling the whole arena alone.
"I want to thank you. You could have been anywhere in the world tonight. but you're here in the m***fu**kin' Barclays Center," he said, a New York native clearly proud to be part owner of the venue.
The only hint of his exertion was the sweat streaming down his face, but otherwise Hova held sway over the crowd, calling for waiving arms here, shouts there, bringing us up for "Big Pimpin'" before taking it down to quiet a serious moment. "I'm from Brooklyn, just thought I'd remind you we're going to rule the world in 2013. And in order to do that don't let anybody hold you back or put their anxieties or fears on you." And with that he had the whole crowd give the finger to the haters. He brought the mood all the way back up to deafening as he and everyone else boomed into "99 Problems," while he visited the front rows in style to give those fans a New Year's taste of his champagne, saying, "I want you to feel how I feel."
His set wasn't even half over. Over two dozen songs crammed into an hour and a half, as he continued with Rick Ross' "3 Kings," "Money Ain't a Thang" (which he originally did with Jermaine Dupri), G.O.O.D. Music's "Clique" and his own "Can I Get A…" and "La La La (Excuse Me Again)."
The only hint of his exertion was the sweat streaming down his face, but otherwise Hova held sway over the crowd, calling for waiving arms here, shouts there, bringing us up for "Big Pimpin'" before taking it down to quiet a serious moment. "I'm from Brooklyn, just thought I'd remind you we're going to rule the world in 2013. And in order to do that don't let anybody hold you back or put their anxieties or fears on you." And with that he had the whole crowd give the finger to the haters. He brought the mood all the way back up to deafening as he and everyone else boomed into "99 Problems," while he visited the front rows in style to give those fans a New Year's taste of his champagne, saying, "I want you to feel how I feel."
His set wasn't even half over. Over two dozen songs crammed into an hour and a half, as he continued with Rick Ross' "3 Kings," "Money Ain't a Thang" (which he originally did with Jermaine Dupri), G.O.O.D. Music's "Clique" and his own "Can I Get A…" and "La La La (Excuse Me Again)."
With so many music celebs in town for the holidays and such a long tradition of guest spots at Jay-Z's shows, it was perhaps the biggest surprise of the night held no unannounced performers. Other than singer Bridget Kelly, who did the hook on a couple of tunes including Alicia Keys' half of the set-ending "Empire State of Mind," and the walk-on by Chris Martin, the spotlight was on Jay-Z during his set. That seemed to suit every ticketholder just fine.
"I really wouldn't want to be anywhere else to ring in 2013," Jay said as the clock ticked toward 1:30am, Radiohead's "Everything In Its Right Place" played in the background, and the show came to a close. "2012 was a major year for me, it was the birth of my beautiful daughter Blue, it was the birth of this building. Tonight I feel like I'm in the right place. I wish you the best 2013 possible. Peace and love." [Billboard]
Pictures after the jump!
Dec 31, 2012
Gotta Keep It Fresh 12.30.2012
Jay's Apparel from Sunday's Brooklyn Net's game.
Hooligans Crew by RichKids [Release date 1/7/2013] $65 //
Nike Air Force 180 High Retro "Photo Blue" $180 // Brooklyn Nets Hat $25-35
Nike Air Force 180 High Retro "Photo Blue" $180 // Brooklyn Nets Hat $25-35
Dec 27, 2012
Favorite Moments of 2012: Made in America
Jay-Z curated the very first Made in America Festival in Philadelphia during Labor Day Weekend. Performers included everyone one from Jay to Run DMC, D'Angelo and Pearl Jam. The two-day festival drew over 50,000 concert goers and raised millions of dollars. A documentary is also in the works with legendary director Ron Howard. More footage here.
Favorite Moments of 2012: Barclays Center
The Nets finally made it to Brooklyn. Jay-Z opened the Barclays Center with eight shows. Take a look at the documentary spotlighting his concert series.
Favorite Moments of 2012: Hip Hop at Carnegie
Jay-Z was the first hip hop artist to headline a concert at the prestigious Carnegie Hall. Two Nights, all white, and a few special guests. Here are some performance videos below.
Favorite Moments of 2012: Little Miss Blue
The birth of Little Miss Blue Ivy Carter was definitely a moment in my ten years of Jay and Bey fandom. I recall the tweets of the relatives of those who worked at the hospital saying that Jay-Z and Beyonce were there Saturday night and that the baby had arrived. I awoke Sunday morning and immediately grabbed my phone to check Twitter (that was part of my morning routine). The reports had pretty much been confirmed that "Ivy Blue Carter" had been born. I then proceeded to roll around the bed while laughing my ass off because I knew the hoopla that was about to begin over her name. Let's be honest! You can't give that child a regular name like Ashley or Brittany. It's not fitting. I think her name is unique and personal, just like her lifestyle.A day later, Jay dropped "Glory". Talk about the tears that streamed. This is definitely one of his most personal, emotional and beautiful songs. I'm sure Blue will cherish this when she gets older.
A month later, the Carters shared her with us on on tumblr. Sidenote: I always felt they were going to have a little girl (it was 'Beach Chair' that did it for me) and I just knew she was going to be gorgeous. But when I saw the pictures of her, I was like "OMG! OMG! OMG! Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Gorgeous!" Those are still stop and stare pictures 11 months later.
I'm very happy for them. Children are beautiful gifts and she is representation of their love. I respect the way they have handled relationship. They have been together for years. I think it shows that they are strong, committed, and truly love each other.
Dec 6, 2012
Jay-Z x Rolling Stone December Cover
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| via thisisbuckwild.com |
Rick Rubin brought his OG magic out of storage to make one of the most explosive beats in rap history, setting body-slam power chords over the drums in Billy Squier's "The Big Beat." Jay-Z concocts an indelible pop chorus and sketches out a scene based on an encounter with a racist patrolman from his pre-stardom days. As Jay wrote in his memoir, "The first offense wasn't the crack in the ride but the color of the driver."
Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-50-greatest-hip-hop-songs-of-all-time-20121205/jay-z-99-problems-19691231#ixzz2EIa8ZrC5
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