Fri 28 Sep 2012
Jay-Z Brings Biggie Back With $400k High-Tech Stage (#Barclays LiveBlog)
Posted by Mikey Fresh under good for hip hop , performances , photos[19] Comments
(Jay-Z onstage via Fuse TV)
It’s a big night in downtown Brooklyn…and a general major milestone for hip hop. Tonight, Jay-Z kicks off the Barclay’s Center Opening(Home of the BK Nets) with a 8-show concert series in his hometown of Brooklyn. Rumors about who Hov will surprise the crowd with are already thick with names like Kanye West (but he’s in Paris!), Rihanna, Rick Ross, Beyonce and more. Though, Jay did playfully told RollingStone that he wouldn’t be bringing a single guest out because this was his night to be “selfish.” We’re still sure there will be some surprises and some monumental moments. We’ll be here all night long covering the action, so stay tuned!
MissInfo: On Thursday, I got a chance to get a tour of the empty stadium, and a sneak peek at the high-tech stage. As you can see, it’s unlike any other stage because it’s two completely angled walls of video screens. And cut into the walls are small platforms for Jay’s band. Insiders told me that the crew even has to dismantle and re-set up the drum kit to allow the instruments to fit through the opening!
Oh, one other thing….at the opening party of the in-stadium 4040 Club, DJ SNS told me a story of a friend who just came home from doing a 9-year prison bid. He just got a job at Barclay Center, and was so thankful that they were hiring locally and allowing ex-cons like him to get a chance to get back on their feet. So that’s a positive story, in the midst of some of the more vocal protests about the stadium.
Check out more from tonight’s Jay-Z concert (still going on now!) including the Notorious B.I.G. visual and live tweets from the event….After the jump!
(An image of Biggie is projected on the hi-res screens as Hova hits centerstage)
(Queen Bey stands among one of thousands in the crowd tonight)
(Jay brings out Big Daddy Kane to help cap off the night)
(Hov’s $400k stage)
(photos via BarclaysCenter, KHigz, DJ Prostyle, Brooklyn Nets, Global Grind, Morgan_Mr)
Live Twitter reactions from inside the event:
- I believe every person in this room has genius level talent and can do amazing shit. You can do anything in the world. – Jay-Z (@buckhollywood)
- “I’m overwhelmed by this whole shit.” – Jay-Z, Barclays (@NotoriousBMI)
- Hov just said he performed at every award, concert, event, stage around the world but no moment will ever top tonight #History #Bk#Barclays (@DJPROSTYLE)
- Jay-Z doing Reasonable Doubt tracks, actually performed Murda Marcyville earlier. Beyonce here bouncing to each track (@Nigel_D)
- “I’ve been all around the world. I tore Coachella to pieces. I swear, nothing feels like 2nite to y’all.” -Hov #Barclays (@DreamzRreal)
- Yesssss! First song! Where I’m from! Meeeeean. #Brooklyn #Barclay #Shiiiiiit (@angiemartinez)
- I love that everyone is in bk tonight!#barclays (@angelayee)
Bonus Content From Around The Web:
Jay-Z, Rihanna, J. Cole & More Attend Barclays Center’s 40/40 Club Launch
Photos: Inside Barclays’ 40/40 Club With Jay-Z, Rihanna, Questlove
Jay-Z Calls Barclays Concerts ‘A Happy Time In Brooklyn’
Jay-Z Says No Guests Joining Him for Brooklyn Concerts
Jay-Z’s Barclays Shows Have Experts Hoping For Kanye, Obama Cameos
Related:
Jay-Z Opens New 40/40 Club in Barclays Center with Rihanna, Questlove & J. Cole
Jay-Z To Headline First Concert At Brooklyn’s Barclays Center
Jay-Z Announces Five Concert Dates at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center
Jay-Z, Nas, Meek Mill & NBA All-Stars Celebrate ‘2K13′ Launch in NYC
Beyoncé & Jay-Z End Summer Off with Friends at NYC’s La Marina
September 28th, 2012 at 11:31 pm
how can anyone hate on jay-z
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Jiro Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 11:52 pm
It is beyond argument, Hov won.
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RoeLuv Reply:
September 29th, 2012 at 12:24 am
co-sign
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Truf.com Reply:
September 29th, 2012 at 2:34 am
what did Hov win? not disagreeing with you, I just want you to break it down.
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Young Scuba Reply:
September 29th, 2012 at 12:03 pm
“I. will. not. lose.”
And he didn’t, he’s clearly won AT LIFE.
Uptop Don Reply:
September 29th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
the rap game! the entertainment industry! the marrying a bad chic game,etc …I’m gonna stop right there to not sound so sarcastic on u!! I’m sure u’ll disagree but it’s obvious u just want to be blind to his accomplishments…u don’t like him, we get it! but at least acknowledge his consistency, his reign in the industry! ( but u can’t tho…I know -_- )
Jiro Reply:
September 29th, 2012 at 8:19 pm
I like this question, I appreciate it. I wasn’t referring to his hip hop legacy or his material gains. Those are just aspects of his victory.
To grow up in a neighborhood that was located in what has consistently been considered one of the greatest cities this planet has ever seen as a self-identified member of its street criminal class, who was not born with ANY advantages, is now in that very city making that very neighborhood the center of one of his and that borough’s major business accomplishments.
Also, given all of that, he now dines with the president of the United State of America.
This is breaking the world record for a marathon by an hour type of progression that we have been able to witness (historically) first hand.
Hov won the race, and he is still running…
Jiro Reply:
September 29th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
Oh, and he is doing it with class, style and a realization of the magnitude yet still comes off as accessible.
Uptop Don Reply:
September 29th, 2012 at 3:09 am
agreed. even Jaz-O gotta give it up to em lol
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September 29th, 2012 at 3:15 am
for anyone who was there, I have a question — they say he performed Murda Marcyville on stage (a rarity)…did he include the “south Philly mufuckas kill at will” line or not …to spite an imprisoned Beans???
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September 29th, 2012 at 7:17 am
I’m glad Jay brought Kane it was only right Kane let him get some shine back in the day and now he giving it back I didn’t care if he brought any other artist but Kane
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Uptop Don Reply:
September 29th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
yea that’s a helluva statement!! dude could’ve FLOODED that first night with ANY guests!! some of these celebs would’ve postponed their own wedding to be a part of that historical night …but nah he took care of home first! and took care of someone who looked out for him early in his career! I’m glad he did THAT and didn’t give these hipster dickriders the guest appearances they probably were praying for!! only other thing I want to see (in BK it’s only right) …is him bring out Talib Kweli after saying that “lyrically I probably be Talib Kweli” line …like that would be sick and a good look for Kwe!! he could jump in to GET BY and some other shit as soon as Jay says the line!
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Spirit Equality Reply:
October 6th, 2012 at 1:30 am
co-sign all of this.
bringing out kane was historic, both for his role in jay’s own career and in bk hip-hop. bringing out kweli to do get by would be epic for the bk underground. still wish jay would on an el-p beat, for that matter. talk about worlds colliding. ha.
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September 29th, 2012 at 10:54 am
BARCLAYS IS GONNA ROCK.
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September 29th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
I’m a Knick fan through-and-through (probably till I die), and I still think that Madison Square Garden is holy ground in NYC when it comes to concerts and sporting events. But I gotta admit, I’m a little jealous…
Oh well, when the Knicks whoop the Nets on the season opener, I’ll forget about how jealous I am, haha. Can’t wait for basketball season!
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Flowdini Reply:
September 30th, 2012 at 11:56 am
co-sign
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September 29th, 2012 at 9:43 pm
Hov took care of y’all? SMH. I swear ppl are such worshipping sheep. You took care of him and made his pockets fat. What has he done for you? I get it, it’s in BK, but damn. When does the Jay-z worship end? He has stepped on so many to get where he is and is only a pawn for the real ballers of Barclay’s! Let him tell it, he made Barclay’s his damn self. I can’t.
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Jiro Reply:
September 30th, 2012 at 11:27 am
I guess the y’all includes me. No. It’s just that sometimes, sometimes you gotta recognize a person’s accomplishments. I don’t like Kobe Bryant, but you won’t catch me saying he is a sucka and a snitch when we are talking about his basketball accomplishments.
So yeah, you got a point in a different conversation.
Name me one other MC (Diddy does not count) that is anywhere near to accomplishing the things Jay has outside of hip hop. The how and why can be saved for another conversation. So, it’s not worship. It’s recognition, the solution to stans and haters.
You’d think we said he was the goat or something. SMDH…
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Flowdini Reply:
September 30th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
i agree with you. ppl love to dick ride him heavy. u know what gets me mad though ? 11 years later ppl act like he won that battle with Nas. but it’s true in all of history , he who has the power later can re-write history. i think that battle really pushed jay-z to go on harder to become this empire king he is now. i still say he’s ok , i like jigga , but i dont ride his meat. i’m happy for him though. a man from the pj’s to almost a billionaire , cant hate. i respect his business acumen , but his music will always be third best to Nas and Ghostface Killah.
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