Jay-Z has exploded back onto the stage after years away from performing, delivering three spectacular concerts in front of an adoring crowd of hometown New Yorkers at Yankee Stadium.
The Bronx venue was full to bursting as the three nights saw a galaxy of stars join the rapper on stage, including his wife Beyoncé, Rihanna, Eminem, Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys, Usher, Nas, and Pusha T.
The third concert on Sunday was marred by hours-long delays. According to organisers, hundreds of ticketless fans tried to sneak in, forcing security to close the entrances and only reopening them gradually. Ticket-holders spent hours trying to get in, with some claiming they were not admitted.
Jay-Z did not appear until after midnight, visibly annoyed and apologising for the wait. But once the chaos subsided, the crowd belted out the 56-year-old’s hits with gusto, finishing with the mega-hit “Empire State of Mind,” the unofficial anthem of a city where each of his performances is hailed as a homecoming.
Timothy Welbeck, a scholar of African-American studies at Temple University, reflected on the significance of the performances.
“Only a select few number of hip-hop artists could create sufficient demand to sell out a venue as large and iconic as Yankee Stadium,” Welbeck told AFP. “Even fewer could do so with music they released decades prior.”
Jay-Z’s most recent album, *4:44*, dates back to 2017. But for two of his three concerts, he chose to highlight albums released decades ago – 30 years ago for Reasonable Doubt and 25 years ago for The Blueprint. Both left indelible marks on hip-hop history.
While Jay-Z has more or less stepped away from the studio, he has found global success with interests in sports, spirits, media, and fashion, making him the first billionaire rapper according to Forbes. His marriage to Beyoncé created a power couple to be reckoned with and further cemented his status as a cultural icon.
Back in the Bronx, the artist returned to the roots of his craft – stripped down and sharp. He ran through tracks, though not just hits, without once relinquishing the mic. He bestrode the stage with delight, relishing the pared-back setup. Thousands of voices echoed his, with much of the crowd knowing his lyrics by heart.
After thrice selling out Yankee Stadium for around 140,000 people, Jay-Z will perform in September at the Stade de France, a not-yet-sold-out date, and in London’s Tottenham Stadium, concluding in LA.
The tour could well lay the groundwork for new music. “It is widely speculated that Jay-Z will release a new album at some point this year,” said Welbeck.
