Jay Z brings Hip-Hop to London

Jigga puts on the first hip-hop show ever at Prince Albert Hall in London

By: Sharea Butler

Posted: 11/29/06

The full orchestra setting up on stage was the first sign that Jay Z would give us our monies worth that night. And the lukewarm response to Lupe Fiasco as an opening act was an indication that the expectations of the crowd were high. The lights dimmed and Rosie, the conductor of the Hustler Symphony Orchestra, came out in a tight black dress with rhinestone adorning her lower her back-clearly even the orchestra conductor was sexy, and nothing in this historical performance was left to chance.

Florescent lights illuminated the stage as the orchestra began to play their rendition of What More Can I Say as Jay Z finally made his entrance. London's famed Royal Albert Hall's sell out crowd was electric with excitement as Jay laid out the lyrics: "I aint never scared, I'm every where, and you aint never there". He then transitioned to Public Service Announcement and when the beat dropped the crowd chanted in unison "allow me to reintroduce myself, my name is Hov, H to the O-V." And from that point forward there was not a dull moment in the show.

Song Cry, a personal favorite of mine, was a highlight of the performance. Midway through the song the girl next to me asked, "who is that singing," because clearly she was pouring her heart and soul into the chorus and truly making it "cry." Later when Jay Z introduced Gwyneth Paltrow, as the voice behind the music, the faces in the audience shone with surprise. It was also her birthday and her husband, Chris Martin of Coldplay, accompanied on the Piano.

At times I was unsure if I was in a British hall or a Brooklyn club as we rocked to beat of hits as classic as Reasonable Doubt's Dead Presidents. There was a slight moment of confusion as the track for Heart of the City began to play, but that was quickly cleared up as Nas entered with his swagger and ridiculously thick gold chain to match. Putting to rest any beef that once existed between the two and encouraging peace in the world, Jay Z went verse for verse with him on the track while Steve Martin sang the hook. Then Jay Z exited stage right and allowed Nas to do his thing. To our delight, Nas performed several more hits including "Hate Me Now" and "Made you Look'.

As the night wore on Jay Z performed many more favorites, accompanied by Memphis Bleek, as the crowd waited for a special appearance that seemed inevitable. At last, Jay Z made the anticipated introduction: an a cappella rhyme concluding with "B aint no B*tch, she gets whatever I own, so when you see her, she represents me n*gga. I know the difference between a B*tch and a B." Then the beat dropped for Crazy in Love and the crowd went crazy as Beyonce strutted onto the stage and proceeded to bring the house down. She concluded her set with a high energy rendition of Déjà Vu, and then did her signature diva walk offstage while throwing up the symbol of the ROC.

Jay Z concluded the show with Encore and I was content when he said that "after this there will be no more," what more could I ask for? I was in London, at one of the most beautiful venues in the city, and I had just witness the first ever hip hop performance at Royal Albert Hall. I believed Jigga when he said "I came, I saw, I conquered" and I was inspired. I can't even blame Beyonce for the less than flattering pictures that came as a result of a little "too much fun" at the after party…it was just that kind of night.