It's no secret that music is my thing. I LOVE it. The one thing I love more than music is LIVE music. Concerts are the absolute best thing. I have been to more concerts than I can count. Starting with my first when I was 9. From that moment on, I've been hooked. The really great thing about living in New Orleans is that there is always a concert happening here. I was just thinking about my concert experiences and decided to share. Here are my top eight lifetime concerts.
08) Alicia Keys/Ne-yo - This was a few years ago. I think it was in 2009. Both put on great shows. AKeys played the piano and sang like an angel. Ne-yo was amazing. He was my favorite part of the night. It was my first time seeing him, second time seeing her. Both made me happy.
07) Hot Boyz - The year was 1998. Cash Money was just about to blow up. We got to see them in concert at a club for $5. I was a huge fan. My friends and I sat on the speakers on the side of the stage. We had great seats. The concert was so energetic. They did all my faves. B.G. sat next to me and rapped "Living Legend" which at the time was my favorite B.G. song. Turk and Wayne clowned with us all night. Juvie had us singing back up for him. It was just a fun concert.
06)Patti LaBelle/Maze featuring Frankie Beverly @ Essence Music Festival - Two classic acts that know how to give a show. It was after 2 before it was over. But, no one was sitting down or aware of the time. They had the Dome rocking for hours. I sang every song that night. We had the best time.
05)Lyfe Jennings @ the HOB - One of the realest, rawest performances ever. When his first cd was released, I was his biggest fan. I played his debut out. I was so excited to go to this concert. It was everything I knew it would be. Also, even better, I got to meet him afterwards. He was so cool. He signed autographs and took pictures.
04) Lauryn Hill @ Essence Music Festival - This was right after "The Miseducation" dropped and she couldn't have been hotter. Lauryn was freaking amazing. She sang all of her tracks, some Fugee tracks and did some covers. She also played some classic N.O. tracks. She had a DJ battle. She had the entire Dome up on their feet. She was so good. That's why it saddens me to hear all the talk about her performances now. She doesn't sound the same.
03) Jill Scott/Trey Songz/Kanye West @ Essence Music Festival - Every last one of them gave a great performance. This night was perfect. Trey started it off. It was my first time seeing him. He was awesome. Jill is perfection. Every time I see her, she just makes me so happy. And, then there was Ye. I hadn't seen him in concert since 2004. His stage show is worlds better now. He gave the best performance of the night.
02)Jay-Z and Kanye West's "Watch The Throne" Tour - There are not enough words for me to describe how amazing this show was. Of course, these two rappers put on a hell of a performance. The stage was great as was the light show. I loved every minute of it. It was my second time seeing Ye that year. I've seen both rappers about 4/5 a piece. It always gets better.
01) New Edition - First concert and actually the last concert I've attended. They were amazing then and still are now. They are still my favorite group. They still sound amazing. As long as they are touring, I am attending. They are still just that great. I will never forget that first concert. I played their music constantly. "Candy Girl" is still one of my favorite albums. Every track. The group is 30 years old. I have truly grown up with them. Their music is timeless. Their voices are effortless. They made me love music and concerts the way that I do.
I haven't attended a concert in almost a year (!) Yes, I am as shocked as you are. I am sure I will be at Essence this year because Beyonce' is performing. I haven't seen her by herself ever. And, I need to rectify that. Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake are going on tour too. They aren't coming here but I would travel for that one. There is just something about live music. Nothing can touch it. It is a wonderful event that every one should experience once in their lifetime. Get into music concerts people. It's worth it.
So, last night, my favorite rapper Jay Z closed out his opening run @ the Barclay's Center. He did 8 shows in 9 days. The concert was awesome. He was his usual wonderful self. And, he brought out his wife, my favorite singer Beyonce. It was live streamed on his youtube channel. Now there is a video. And, yes I watched this again today after watching it live last night. I've seen him a handful of times in concert. I am STILL always excited to see him before. He's simply the best at what he does. I know I'm biased but so what? Anyhow, I found this and wanted to share. Watch and enjoy.
The time and place had been set in stone for months now. The anticipation was growing. I simply could not wait. Finally, it was Saturday, December 3rd, 2011 @ approximately 9:19pm. The house lights go dark and I see Jay taking his spot on the stage in front of us. The show starts with the drop of the beat of "H.A.M." and the opening line of "It was all good just a week ago." The crowd went crazy as the lights shined on Jay and Ye on two different stages. Their stages started to rise as they performed the first song. Everyone was on their feet. I already knew that I would be up all night. Anyone who knows me knows how much of a fan of Jay Z's I am. I am also a Kanye fan. This was a long time coming to see the two of them on the same stage in person. The arena was rocking from the opening moment.
There was no opening act, no intermissions, just Jay and Ye for almost 3 hours. That alone made the price of admission worth it. This is my third time seeing both men in concert. Each time just gets better. I could clearly be biased but I can't help it. I love the way they performed songs from "Watch The Throne" cd as well as solo songs. I loved seeing Jay being Ye's hype man and vice versa. They were engaging as well as personable on stage. They smiled and had a great time entertaining us. The crowd was loud all night. I know for a fact that I rapped every word to every song. I only sat down during one song (Kanye's "Stronger" which I've never liked). Jay performed some of my favorite tracks by him. He did "Where I'm From," "Hard Knock Life," "Big Pimpin" (also rapping the late great Pimp C's verse), and "99 Problems" (my personal theme song for many years). Ye did all of his hits "Gold Digger," "Al of The Lights," "Runaway," and "Power." The track set for this concert was awesome. They gave you old songs for those day one fans like myself as well as newer hits. Both men gave a great show.
The best part of the show for me was the ending. They ended with "Ni**as In Paris." The arena went wild as soon as the beat dropped. The whole arena was bouncing. I knew that it was gonna end as well as it started. I love Kanye rapping "I got my ni**as in NEW ORLEANS and they going guerilla, haaaaa!" After finishing it, they performed it for a second time. I was loving it. They told us good night and walked off stage. I knew it wasn't over though. The house lights were still off. The crowd started clapping and yelling and screaming "Encore!" Jay Z started talking from backstage. He said "Oh what that mean? Sounds like y'all don't wanna go home. Good cause I don't wanna go home either." Ye and Jay came back out to talk to us to thunderous applause. They were laughing and talking to the crowd. Ye told the dj to drop it again. "Ni**as In Paris" was performed 7 times before it was all over. The crowd bounced and rapped to it every single time. It was a great feeling in the arena that night. After the final performance of NIP, Ye threw his mic.
The show was over. The Throne had been watched. It was everything I thought it would be and more. I was disappointed that they did not do my songs "Why I Love You" and "Gotta Have It." Other than that, I have nothing but great things to say about it. I left the concert with a smile on my face and a strained voice but I was happy. I got to see Jay and Ye again. I got to experience it with my favorite aunt who's never seen Jay Z perform live. She enjoyed it as much as I did. If you are a fan of either or both, I suggest you make your way to this concert. It was just that great. I could not have asked for a better night. I have been to more concerts than I can count. This is up there on my list of greats. Greatest night ever. I think this is the second time I've written about my night at a Jay Z concert. What can I say, I'm a true fan. I can sum it up in about eight words: great artists, great music, great performances, wonderful night
I came across an old story/review of one of the best nights of my life. I decided to share. Enjoy!
"Ain't no love, in the heart of the city..
I said where's the love?
Ain't no love, in the heart of town..
Yeah..
And then the Fugee's gonna break up, now everyday I wake up
Somebody got something to say
What's all the f--king fussing for? Because I'm grubbing more
and I pack heat like I'm the oven door?
Ni--as pray and pray on my downfall
But everytime I hit the ground, I bounce up like roundball
Now I don't wanna have to kill Soundbar
Don't wanna have to cock back the four pound bar
Look scrapper I got nephews to look after
I'm not looking at you dudes, I'm looking past you
I thought I told you characters I'm not a rapper
Can I live? I told you in ninety-six
that I came to take this s--t and I did, handle my biz
I scramble like Randall with his
Cunningham but the only thing running is numbers fam
Jigga held you down six summers; damn, where's the love?"
It was because of verses like this that I was a fan. His truth spoke to my soul. I have been hooked since the day I heard “I’m Feelin It.” I remember being in the back of a black Altima with friends and my boyfriend at the time put this cd on. From the opening chords, I was intrigued. By the chorus, I needed to know this rapper. From that moment, he had me.
I had waited, it seemed, all my life for this one night. For me to be in the same room as he was phenomenal. I was beyond ecstatic. I knew every word to every song on every cd he had released. All of his features, remixes, and mixtape appearances were in my mind too. to say that I am a fan is literally the biggest understatement EVER!! I never, ever bootlegged him. No, not my favorite rapper!! I could never do that to him. I supported this man since day one! Because there is something about him that touches me way down deep in my being. I love his delivery, demeanor, flow, but most of all, his swagger. There is no other rapper who has a swagger any where near the magnitude of his. There is no comparison to any other rappers in my book. He is in my opinion he is true to one of his nicknames: the God MC. He goes by a plethora of names and all of them are befitting of the man. He is HOVA. He is Hov. He is the Jigga Man. He is Shawn Corey Carter. And, most commonly, he is Jay-Z.
The day is April 9, 2008. It happens to be a cool Wednesday evening in New Orleans. The location is the New Orleans Arena. We arrived @ 6:45pm. A few steps from the parking garage at the Superdome to the Arena, and it was official, I was IN THE BUILDING!!! And, according to my guy who is in the know, Jay was in the building as well!!! I seriously had been smiling from the time I woke up until now. The anticipation had been growing ever since I heard that the tour was coming to my city. I already knew that I would never forget tonight.
My girl and I sat and talked. Wasting time until the main event popped off. My cell keeps ringing. And, every time that it would ring, a different Jay song would play. I told you that I am a true fan. "I Know," "Song Cry," "I Made It," "I'd Do Anything," "Hey Papi," "Party Life," "Excuse me (the La,La,La version)," and "Hollywood" just to name a few. I was so ready to see the man hit the stage!!
This would be the concert of a lifetime. And if you are not in the Arena tonight , then it really sucks to be you! Anyone who knows me, knows that I love Jay. From “Reasonable Doubt” to “American Gangster” every album is my favorite!! The Dream performs his 20 minute set. He is good. I really enjoyed his performance of “I Luv Your Girl” because its one of the tracks I listen to often. He then introduces Mary J. Blige once his set is done. The lights drop. The curtains rise. And, there at the top of the stairs, in the center of the stage are Mary and Jay, back to back dressed all in black!! I am instantly out of my seat. They open with a Hip-Hop classic from Jay’s first cd, “Reasonable Doubt”. The intro chords of “Can’t Knock The Hustle” flood my ears as they proceed down the stairs. They would also perform “Song Cry,” “Heart of the City,” and “You All Are Welcome.” Now, granted, Mary’s set was fire, but she was really just lagniappe to me! I was there for one main reason. And his name was Jay-Z.
Mary’s set ended with much applause. Then, it was Shawn Corey's turn. He came out to the chorus of "Say Hello" & it was on. Not saying much, just walked down the stairs, bobbing his head to the beat. “Say hello to the bad guy (hello) they say I’m a bad guy I come from the bottom but now I’m mad fly. They say I’m a menace that’s the picture they paint they say a lot about me let me tell you what I ain’t.” Then he was front and center. In my city, at my Arena, in arms length, Jay stood proudly before me! He is beyond a combination of energetic and laid back cool on stage. He smiles at the crowd. He still seems amazed that we know every bar of every song of his. As a fan, how could I not be well versed in his discography? He clowned with the audience, performed many hits, & even had time for a political shout-out. He was exciting & funny on stage. He performed "I Know" one of my favorite tracks on American Gangster. He performed singles as well as cult classics. The most touching moment, in my honest opinion, was when he did his verse from ''Minority Report" as scenes from "When the Levees Broke" played on the screen. It was like he felt my city's pain.
There aren't enough words for me to explain to you how great it was or how excited I still am. It's something about Jay's flow, delivery, & message that touch me. He makes me think. He makes me stop in my tracks and run the verse back like “Did he say what I think he said?” He personifies music. Some say that his time has passed and I think those people are nuts. He said it best “HOV'S A LIVING LEGEND AND I'LL TELL YOU WHY, EVERYBODY WANNA BE HOV AND HOVS STILL ALIVE!! He is Hip-Hop and there is no one (living) that is greater. I got to experience it firsthand. Wow!! I may not ever go to another concert that is as complete as the one I was at last night & that's just fine!!
“I supposed to be number one on everybody’s list
We'll see what happens when I no longer exist
F--k this (What more can I say?)”
