Jay-Z – D.O.A. (Chase and Status Remix) audio

Can’t believe we’re so late on this one.

Jay-Z – Empire State Of Mind video featuring Alicia Keys

Directed by Hype Williams.

Check out Jay-Z and Eminem DJ Hero TV Commercial

Jay-Z performs live in Vancouver, B.C. at GM Place on October 16th 2009 with N.E.R.D. opening the show

written by Hugo Lunny

With more number one albums than Elvis, it’s no surprise that every Jay-Z show sells out. And that’s exactly the scenario witnessed by all at his GM Place appearance. With seats filled as far as the eye could see, hooks, lyrics and ad-libs sung in unison by the thousands, it was hard to believe this was just another rap show. The enormous backdrops behind Jay transformed every song into a music video as huge, bold colours, image tracing effects and video footage supported his renditions and furthered the overall experience.

Now your stature in a particular field can be defined be a variety of variables, and in music, your assistance or lack thereof (autotune, hype man or playback) can mean a lot. In contrast to when he last performed at GM Place (April 20/1999), he now is accompanied by a full band instead of a lone DJ. His hype man and sidekick since day one remains as Memphis Bleek, who adds the perfect finish to any lines which need emphasis, or Jay needs to catch his breath. However, having performed for so long, Jigga has his set perfected. His cadence is stunning and his lyrics are enunciated clearly.

Then again, he has been that way since I first saw him a decade ago.

This was clearly The Blueprint 3 tour, with the majority of the album performed live. Jay stepped out on to the stage with “Run This Town,” which as expected was met with huge roars and excitement. The same went for his follow up from BP3, “D.O.A. (Death of Autotune).” Also interlaced throughout the set were various songs from the album including “Venus vs. Mars,” “Already Home” the crowd pleaser “Empire State of Mind,” performed with guest singer Bridget Kelly replacing Alicia Keys. Bridget Kelly also covered the hooks and backing vocals on some other tracks including a well received performance of “Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love)” and “Song Cry.”

Surprisingly Pharrell wasn’t more present during Jay’s set (N.E.R.D. opened the show). His hooks were only personally performed when he came out for The Blueprint 3’s “So Ambitious.” Although the crowd loved seeing him return to the stage, the fact that he didn’t step out for his other hooks seemed odd. “I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)” would have been even better with his personal touch.

Unlike most shows, midway through Jay chose to set up his encore, leaving and returning as if to take a half time break. He toyed with the audience with a brief touch on a bunch of his hits, including an accappella performance of his “Swagga Like Us” verse and a little of “Lucifer.”

The show’s finale seemed stretched out and could have gone more smoothly. After finishing with “Encore” he kept the audience engaged by having the lights on and naming audience members to thank personally. This session seemed to go on endlessly, and quite a few people left, bored with hearing him thank and refer to individuals by complimenting their clothing. Those that stayed during his drawn out thanks were able to have the evening wrap up with the Blueprint 3 album’s final song, “Forever Young.” An ideal conclusion, perfectly set for lighters being held and cell phones powered up as the arena’s lights were reduced to nearly nothing in order to showcase the light display.

Jay-Z’s show was perfect for any fan. Unfortunately, due to an astoundingly vast catalogue such as his, individual album favourites can easily be overlooked. But if you’re a fan of the classic Jay hits; “Big Pimpin’,” “Dirt Off Your Shoulder,” “Hard Knock Life,” “Can I Get A” etc. Jay-Z puts on one of rap’s best live shows period.

The Blueprint 3 tour

Videos of Jay-Z live at GM Place in Vancouver, October 16th, 2009

Jay-Z – Run This Town live at GM Place in Vancouver, October 16th, 2009

Jay-Z – D.O.A. (Death of Autotune) live at GM Place in Vancouver October 16th, 2009

Jay-Z – Encore live at GM Place, Vancouver on October 16th, 2009

Jay-Z Interview video with Trace TV

While in Paris on a press run Jay-Z sat down with Trace TV and breaks down the Blueprint Trilogy.

“Empire State of Mind” with Alicia Keys #1 Selling Digital Single in the Country Selling 205k copies

JAY-Z’s “The Blueprint 3” debuted at the top of the Billboard album charts last week selling over 475,000 copies. With that grand entry on to the charts, JAY-Z surpassed Elvis Presley as the solo act with the most # 1 albums in the history of Billboard. Now “The Blueprint 3” reigns supreme for a second consecutive week with sales of 297,911 copies.

The album’s success has been propelled by unprecedented fan support, hit singles, “D.O.A. (Death Of Autotune) and “Run This Town” with Rihanna and Kanye West, and “Empire State of Mind” with Alicia Keys which is the #1 selling digital single in the country this week selling 205k copies. JAY-Z has also made high profile appearances on HBO’s “Real Time With Bill Maher,” and “Late Show With David Letterman,” a BET three part special, “Food For Thought,” and performances on the MTV Video Music Awards and “The Jay Leno Show.”

Continuing momentum that hasn’t been seen in years, at long last, JAY-Z will make his highly anticipated debut appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” The show, airing, Thursday, September 24th builds upon their initial conversation in Brooklyn, New York’s Marcy Projects.

“The Blueprint 3” excitement began in June when the album was originally scheduled for release on Friday, September 11th. Overwhelming demand dictated the album be made available 6 days earlier. “The Blueprint 3” went on sale Saturday, September 5th exclusively on line at Rhapsody and Tuesday, September 8th in retail stores.

“The Blueprint 3” is the last chapter of the “Blueprint” series. Its release date paid homage to the date of the original “Blueprint,” Tuesday, September 11, 2001. Recognizing the events of that date, JAY-Z staged the historic “ANSWER THE CALL” charity concert at New York’s legendary Madison Square Garden. 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales and concert merchandise benefited the “New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund. Airing in HD and commercial-free on the music television network FUSE, the wildly successful sold-out concert featured artists Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Kanye West, John Mayer, Pharrell Williams, Swizz Beatz, Kid Cudi and Memphis Bleek, and ranked among the highest-rated television programs in Fuse history.

JAY-Z is currently performing with Coldplay in the UK before returning to the U.S. for his stateside tour beginning October 9th.

Jay-Z on German TVTotal video

All that hanging around Kanye must’ve given Jay-Z the resolve to take hip-hop in a different direction (and we don’t mean auto-tune), because the experimentation on this album is producing some much appreciated new sounds. He’s also brought in a staggering number of guests, from Swizz Beatz and Drake to the more obscure Luke Steele (from psychedelic pop group Empire of the Sun) and J. Cole, the first signee to Jay-Z’s own label Roc Nation.

While you can definitely hear the musical innovation that having Kanye West as the main  producer brings, Jay-Z’s lyrical stamp is still all over the album. What that means, unfortunately, is that most of it is typical, predictable, Hova fare. You’ve got the bravado, the swagger, and the (repeated) declaration of his position as hip-hop king. While Jay does switch things up on tracks like “On to the Next One” and “Young Forever,” which sample “D.A.N.C.E.” by Justice and “Forever Young” by Alphaville respectively, the rest of the album is missing that spark that makes a rap album blazing fire. Two of the best songs on the album are only memorable because of the featured artists – note to other rappers: R&B divas do your tracks good. Phoning in Rihanna and Alicia Keys was a good decision; the only minor setback is that Jay-no longer owns the spotlight on “Run This Town” and “Empire State of Mind,” although I have a feeling he doesn’t mind.

Unlike its immediate predecessor American Gangster, which focuses thematically on – what else – the life of a street king, The Blueprint 3 is (structurally and lyrically) more akin to The Blueprint²: The Gift & The Curse. It even has a second try at a duet with Beyoncé, but while “’03 Bonnie & Clyde” was a pump-up-the-jam kind of song that I wouldn’t mind cruising to, “Venus vs. Mars” is just plain awkward. Jay-Z has a seductive side now? Maybe only to Beyoncé, and I’d rather we keep it that way.

For true fans, this album would be a worthwhile purchase; there are three or four truly remarkable tracks that would make your regular playlist rotation easily, but you’d have to be a real fan to actually take the time to sift through the rest. That being said, Jay-Z can still spit rhymes with the best of them, and the fact that he’s turning the big 4-0 at the end of this year has not escaped his attention – it probably really does hit home for him because “Young Forever” is brilliant both in lyrics and delivery. How fitting that it also serves as the conclusion to Jay-Z’s latest offering; it makes the lesser songs easier to forget… and much easier to forgive.

What are the chances that Mr. Shawn Carter will finally “retire” when he’s 50?

Just a heads up Vancouverites, Jay-Z will be coming to GM Place in Vancouver, B.C. on October 16th as part of the Blueprint 3 tour.

Jay-Z will also be performing in Kelowna close to the same date.