JAY-Z Treats Fans To A Magical Night At Webster Hall’s Re-Opening
Famed New York City venue Webster Hall re-opened its doors Friday night with a landmark performance from JAY-Z. Fittingly titled B-Sides 2, the concert stretched over two hours long as the rap mogul blew through deep cuts from his storied career.
Setting the tone for the evening, DJ Clark Kent delivered a nostalgic opening set and warned the audience that the night’s proceedings would be strictly “gutter gutter.” A few fans, however, began to grow weary as they awaited Hov’s arrival after having to stand in the cold rain in a line that wrapped around an entire Manhattan city block.
Backed by a live band, Jay took to the stage at 10:30 PM to deliver a rousing rendition of “The Prelude,” the opening track of 2006’s Kingdom Come. His presence lit up the venue as fans joyfully recited the song’s lyrics and grabbed their phones to capture the timeless moment.
From there, the Grammy-wining lyricist he shuffled through a handful of early 2000s staples such as “Some People Hate,” “Don’t You Know,” “Come and Get Me,” “People Talkin’” and “Lucifer.”
Jay Z performed a new freestyle at the B-Sides show.
“Gentrify your own hood before these people do it.
Claim eminent domain and have your people move in.
That’s a small glimpse into what Nipsey was doing.
For anybody still confused as to what he was doing.”
– Jay Z pic.twitter.com/d20cEEYSD2— Nigel D. (@NigelDPresents) April 27, 2019
At one point during this set, Jay took a brief pause to offer up fresh bars in the form of a freestyle and paid tribute to the late Nipsey Hussle.
“Gentrify your own hood before these people do it/Claim eminent domain and have your people move in/That’s a small glimpse into what Nipsey was doing/For anybody still confused as to what he was doing,” he effortlessly rhymed.
He added: “I be going to sleep hoping Nip visit me/That young king had a lot of jewels to split with me.”
The somber moment then transitioned into a lively performance of two Pharrell-assisted tracks: “So Ambitious” and fan favorite, “Allure,” from 2003’s The Black Album. The spirited renditions called for a toast, as Hov gifted a fan with a glass of his Ace of Spades champagne.
Hov really got a huge @Roc_A_Fella chain floating from the ceiling. 🔥😭 pic.twitter.com/dgFoAMjjAj
— Complex (@Complex) April 27, 2019
While the venue was decorated with a massive Roc-a-Fella pendant seemingly floating above the crowd, the evening wasn’t just a family affair. Jay also welcomed fellow New York rappers Nas, Cam’ron and Jim Jones to perform alongside him at one point.
Hov brought out @Nas at B Sides 2.
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/JG6LDa28oW
— Complex (@Complex) April 27, 2019
Those guest appearances proved to be the most unexpected surprise of the night, considering the decades-long feud between the Roc Nation founder and Harlemites. However, if you ask Jay, he was simply spreading love…Brooklyn style.
I can’t believe my eyes, Jay Z brought out @Mr_Camron at the B Sides 2 concert. pic.twitter.com/ewyxuoviAy
— Nigel D. (@NigelDPresents) April 27, 2019
“[Cam] ain’t my enemy, Nas ain’t my enemy. They’re my brothers,” the rap mogul told the roaring crowd after a hearty rendition of “Welcome To New York City.”
He also acknowledged that fans “may never see that s*** again,” in regards to the monumental moment.
As the evening continued, Jay rattled off a handful of other critically-acclaimed tracks including “Momma Loves Me,” “D’evils,” “Friend or Foe,” “In My Lifetime (Remix)” and “Dear Summer,” before concluding with a jazzy rendition of “Thank You” and “Hovi Baby.”
“What a magical night. I appreciate the love,” Jay said in closing. “The music I make is from my heart: right, wrong or indifferent.”
“Even my flaws I put out there, you can learn from my flaws. So, you can take it further than I take it.”
Grand opening. Grand closing.
Here’s the set list for Jay’s B-Sides show:
“The Prelude”
“Some People Hate”
“Don’t You Know”
“Come and Get Me”
“People Talkin’”
“Lucifer”
“Some How, Some Way”
“The First” (Freestyle)
“So Ambitious”
“Allure”
“This Life Forever”
“Young Gs”
“What’s Free”
“Sweet”
“American Dreamin’”
“Success”
“Dead Presidents”
“Where I’m From”
“Marcy Me”
“Welcome to New York City”
“No Hook”
“Momma Loves Me”
“Adnis”
“La La La (Excuse Me Miss Again)”
“Pump It Up (Freestyle)”
“I Love the Dough”
“Jigga My N****”
“Hola Hovito “
“D’evils”
“Feelin’ It”
“Friend or Foe”
“In My Lifetime” (Remix)
“The Second” (Freestyle)
“Never Change”
“Dear Summer”
“Thank You”
“Hovi Baby”
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