Access Atlanta > Arts > Our Reviews > Archives > 2004 > November > 12 > Entry
Jay-Z and (way too many) Friends play Philips Arena
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jay-Z alone would have been enough. After all, the hip-hop mogul has reached a Michael Jordan point in his career — questionable retirement declaration and all. But Jay-Z decided to hit the road with collaborator and R&B singer R. Kelly — and everyone knows what a bad idea that turned out to be. The “Best of Both Worlds” tour came to an abrupt end two weeks ago, after a series of concerts mired by cancellations and Kelly’s late arrivals and mid-show departures. So Jay-Z is completing the tour with a little help from his friends. Or actually, a lot of help from his friends.The rap superstar must’ve called everyone who appeared on his seven studio albums. And anyone else around who wanted to join in. “That [expletive] looks like the Grammys,” Jay-Z said as he motioned to the backstage area of Philips Arena Thursday. Actually, it looked more like the Vibe, BET or Soul Train Awards. But the near-capacity crowd got the point as they watched the parade of stars Jay-Z welcomed onstage over a wearying four-hour period. Again. And again. And again. DJ Kid Capri was the first of many unannounced guests of the evening, manning the turntables for a furious trip through decades of music that ended with a huge introduction for Jay-Z. But the star of the show didn’t actually hit the stage until nearly 20 uncomfortable minutes had passed. Finally, Jay-Z appeared, looking relaxed in a leather chair — cigar in one hand, snifter in the other. Then he got up, walked to the center of the slick, screen-heavy backdrop and roared,”Allow me to reintroduce myself!” It’s a line from an interlude on his last CD, “The Black Album.” But it took on new meaning Thursday, as at numerous points in the evening it was easy to forget exactly whose name was at the top of the bill. Less than four songs in, Memphis Bleek, a burgeoning rapper on Jay-Z’s record label, was by Jay-Z’s side. Then multimillion-selling Atlanta rapper Ludacris took over for five or so songs. Local music mogul Jermaine Dupri joined him on “Welcome to Atlanta,” a song they recorded together. Then Dupri, who’s featured on the remix of Dem Franchize Boyz’s “White Tee,” waved the hometown Boyz on. After which, the self-appointed mayor of the city summoned OutKast’s Big Boi for a brief set. The local interlude lasted about 45 minutes, then Jay-Z returned with others on his Roc-A-Fella imprint. But Bleek, Freeway and the Young Gunz combined didn’t garner the response that Atlanta rapper T.I. did during his seven-song tear. Searingly powerful R&B icon Mary J. Blige followed. Then an almost unnecessary Sean “P. Diddy” Combs. And then the Memphis rap duo on his Bad Boy South label, Eightball & MJG. After that, New York rapper Black Rob. And then local one-song wonder Crime Mob. At 11:23, nearly half-an-hour after most shows at this venue end, Combs joked that they were trying to break a record. Break spirits is more like it. Because after more intermittent Jay-Z came hip-hop’s MIA sex symbol Foxy Brown, followed by rap growler DMX for about five numbers. By the time Atlanta’s beloved crowd rousers Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz appeared, the prerecorded tracks everyone was rhyming and singing to started malfunctioning, leaving rapper Lil Scrappy clearly frustrated and R&B singer Ciara stuck mid-dance move. And it still wasn’t over. Jay-Z returned for monster hits “I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me),” “Big Pimpin’ ” and finally, “Encore.” Thankfully, there wasn’t one.
Permalink | Comments (20) | Categories: Pop Music
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Al
November 12, 2004 9:52 AM | Link to this
I enjoyed the concert for the most part, but I really didn’t need to see EVERY SINGLE ATLANTA-based artist on stage! Jay Z, Mary, Ludacris, Jermaine Dupree, Foxy, and DMX would have made it a very solid show. Lil Jon, TI, Ciara, P Diddy, the “White Tee” people, the “Knuck if you Buck” people, et al would have been better suited sitting in the audience. I give it an 8 out of 10 due to the show being entirely too long, but I give Jay Z credit for a great stage and wonderful effects.
By Playa Hata Patrol
November 12, 2004 11:49 AM | Link to this
Sonya, lighten up. Every time people try to give us something different, we always have complaints. How many concerts are so full of surprises that everyone stays to the end? Not many. At most concerts, there is a mass exodus during the last few songs; regardless of the headliner. If this show was so long and warying, why did nearly everyone stay until the end? Jay-Z could have easily done the standard show with 3 opening acts squeezed into the 10’ prestage area and saved the rest of the stage for himself and did a standard 45 minute set. Been there, done that, seen that. Instead, Jay-Z showed humility by sharing his spotlight with so many other stars (big & small) and he definitely gave the crowd more than their money’s worth. Jay-Z & Friends was fun, exciting and entertaining. Everyone that I spoke to loved the concert. I didn’t even notice the “glitches” that you focused on. It was an AWESOME event. It demonstrated the kind of unity and love we need to see in Hip Hop. One Stage, One Mic, One Love.
By Jade
November 12, 2004 12:08 PM | Link to this
I thought the concert was awesome. Anyone who thought it was too long or too much is not a true hip hop head. If you came to hear some real folks (old and new) in this game, you left more than satisfied and not a bit tired!! That was one of the best shows I’ve seem in ATL and I’ve been to many. I paid top dollar and felt that I got more that my money’s worth!!
By Enjoy Life
November 12, 2004 12:44 PM | Link to this
Sonia, Sonia, Sonia… Everbody is entitled to his own opinion. Here’s mine. I had an absolute ball last night. Yeah, so the concert was long but it was worth every minute (and every penny!). I felt satified to not have been merely appeased with the normal concert programming. The entertainment was pretty consistent despite the long line of many performances. Yeah, they just kept on coming, and coming, and coming but it’s OK, try to simply enjoy the moment. Parking was expensive, my feet still hurt, I did not get much sleep, and I have no voice left but a sista had a FABULOUS time!!!! As a result of how Jay showed up and put it down for ATL, I have even more love for him today than I did before the concert. Sonia, it’s OK to just enjoy yourself!
By Nikki
November 12, 2004 1:42 PM | Link to this
I absolutely loved last night performances, there were a few moments, like Crime Mob’s performance, that left me scratching my head, but overall that was the best Hip Hop show I’ve seen a long time. I’m a huge Jay Z fan and it was great to see him pull the tour off after all of the drama between him and R. Kelly. The fact that so many ATL superstars showed up to support Jay and put on a good performance was wonderful to see. I’ve been a fan of Hip Hop since the early 80’s and had begun to believe that I had outgrown the genre, last night proved to me that I still a b-girl at heart.
By Edge
November 12, 2004 1:46 PM | Link to this
Sonia,what’s up with the haterade? The show was GREAT!. We as a people need to join forces and stick together, instead of finding fault. Did you enjoy any part of the show? It certainly doesn’t sound like it. Jay definetly doesn’t have to share the stage, but he saw an opportunity to do something different, and most of all possitive for a very lost generation. He is such an extrodinary marketer, not to mention paid. You’re entitled to your opinion as we all are. By the way… I bet you LOVED Usher’s concert!!! you know the one where he danced vs. sang. Go figure. Step outside the down slow south box for a minuet, you may learn how it’s done up top… NYC!!! 4-EVA. Peace
By chelly
November 12, 2004 3:48 PM | Link to this
And this is why blacks cannot unite because we have african americans like you who have the opportunity to have a public voice and you use it to hate on your people!!!!! I was not there but sure wish i was despite your hating review!!!! Sonia you are a hater!!!!
By Mia
November 12, 2004 4:09 PM | Link to this
I’m glad I returned my tickets but I’m glad to see Jay-Z had an over the top showing of friends to make-up for the loss of R. Kelly and to make people feel like they were getting their monies worth. I just couldn’t justify $88 a ticket for Jay-Z, Puffy and MJB BUT if I had known it was going to be almost every Atlanta artist and then some I might have kept my tickets.
By Hal
November 12, 2004 4:22 PM | Link to this
Folks act like its a crime to be critical of our own people in any way. Bad concert reviews are keeping our folks from uniting? Please. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and folks shouldn’t get a pass just because they are our folks. Chill, people!
By LT
November 12, 2004 4:37 PM | Link to this
Sonia, I don’t know what you are talking about, but I had a fabulous time at the concert last night. This is only the 3rd concert I have ever been to, so I don’t really know about the “standard time” and all, but what I do know is I never looked at my watch the entire time. The concert was excellent! How could you or anyone else even dare to open your mouth to complain about the length of the show? With all the artists that showed up obviously to give the fans their money’s worth, it is a shame that you found no good in that at all. Jay-Z wanted his fans to have a good time and I absolutely did. If everybody thought it was so long, why did mostly everyone stay to the very end, instead of leave? I have so much more respect for Jay-Z than ever before. That’s right Jay, one monkey don’t stop no show!
By tee
November 12, 2004 4:40 PM | Link to this
Sonya,the concert was the best one I’ve been to in a while.It was long but i rather it be long then short.I know i got my money’s worth.Jay-Z was great. Don’t hate its not cute
By Jackie
November 12, 2004 4:48 PM | Link to this
I didnt go but I wish I had. I heard the concert was EXCELLENT!!
By Tina
November 12, 2004 5:06 PM | Link to this
I really enjoyed the concert. It was obvious that all the performers were there for the love of hip-hop. Yes it would have been nice to see R Kelly but as they said ” One monkey shouldn’t stop the show” and he didn’t. I felt that I was previliged to watch history in the making. Time really wasn’t I issue, it felt like I was attending an award winning gala. ATLANTA really represented!!
By C.WILL
November 12, 2004 5:14 PM | Link to this
Sonia, listen the concert was HOT HOT HOT…..I have never been to a concert like this before in my entire life. I just loved all of the acts i did not expect all of those people to be there and Mary oh my god she is a DIVA…Jay took it to a new level if this is how they do it in the NY then im on my way…..C.WILL>>>>>>>>>>>>>PEACE.
By Kenton Smith
November 15, 2004 8:27 AM | Link to this
I don’t know what drugs sonia is taking or what drugs she need to be taking Because that concert was the Bomb that s** was bumpin Jay-z been my boy for a while and we will always be much love Jay and sonia stop hatin.
By griz
November 15, 2004 10:00 AM | Link to this
You sound like a real jerk. Why would you complain about a concert with a lot of good artists. They did nothing but hits. Clearly, you aren’t a fan of hip hop. How often do many of those artists perform at such a large venue? What Jay-Z did by continuing with the show was great. Why should ticket holders suffer because of some statutory rapists. He had all the hot groups from the ATL at the show so it was all the way live. Maybe you should go to a Tony Bennet concert. If everyone was on their feet the whole night, the show couldn’t have been too bad.
By Bran Bran
November 15, 2004 10:28 AM | Link to this
Sonia, yes you are entitled to your opinion. And I usually love your reviews, and agree with you often. But, this time, I have to say that I think you went to the wrong show. I am not sure the mood that you had when you came, and maybe you had a lot on your mind. Maybe you were not prepared for the hype and surprises. However, Jay is a wonderful man to allow all his “friends” to rep their cities and display their talent. It was the longest, most exciting, and entertaining concert I have EVER been to in my life!!! Today is Monday, and I still wish I was there!
By Teresa
November 15, 2004 12:23 PM | Link to this
I had floor seats and I am glad that I gave them up I like Jay Z but I am a bigger R-Kelly fan and I just hope he comes next year maybe with LL hmmmm. I’m also glad that the hip hop fans had a good time and the ATL was able to represent. It would have been nice to have Monica represent though. I’m interested to know what will sustain Jay Z in other cities who don’t have a big artist based like Atlanta. I guess Puffy will have to sing and do a fashion show. Don’t hate on Sonia because she is giving her opinion we are all entitled. She is just doing her job. Just like Jay Z and friends. Just be happy that you are apart of a culture that has put a new face on music. I am a R&B fan myself because its timeless. But much love to hip hop but please hip hoppers do me a favor know when to let it go. When you’re in your 30’s approaching 40s dropping it like its hot isn’t cute anymore (smile) Come cover to R&B we’ll be waiting.
By Corey
November 15, 2004 1:16 PM | Link to this
Jay-Z & Friends was absolutely that and so much more. For those of us that were able to attend that was the best hip-hop show of the year. Jay showed that even though he could carry the show all by himself he chose not to. My only complaint about the show was that 2 of the country cousins (Crime M.O.B & Lil’ Scrappy) at the family affair showed that they don’t know how to act around a lot of people. They performed like they weren’t going to see an arena full of people again. Do your hit song(s) say thank you and get the hell on. All the extra inaudible talking was so unnecessary. All in all, Hov did his thing. Mary showed why she is the queen. And it was a beautiful thing to see so many different people come out and enjoy hip-hop the way it was supposed to be done. Respectfully.
By carla
November 18, 2004 2:14 PM | Link to this
Hey, I wasn’t at the concert but this is the first negative report I have seen or heard. I can’t imagine what was so bad but it sounds like it was a blast to me. Wish I was there.