JAY-Z’s final show of his historic three-night run at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, July 13th, was marked by a security situation outside the venue that left fans in the dark for hours. The atmosphere grew increasingly restless, and boos began to ring out without any update. However, when JAY-Z finally took the stage shortly after midnight, he explained the concert was delayed due to a risk of 10,000 people getting trampled, and the crowd was eventually won over by his epic performance.
The Brooklyn rapper kicked off his set with the fiery intro to The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, hinting at the epic concert to come. While Jay didn’t play until 5:00 a.m. — as he had teased about early in the set — there was a chip on his shoulder not evident during the second night. Leaving everything on the table, he played 45 songs during his two-and-a-half-hour performance and brought out an unbelievable roster of surprise guests, including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Pharrell, Clipse, Jeezy, Usher, and fellow hometown heroes Fat Joe and Jadakiss.
The Concert and Its Highlights
Though he repeated several songs from his Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint anniversary shows, JAY-Z expanded across his discography to perform tracks previously unheard during the residency from less-acclaimed albums like Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life, American Gangster, Kingdom Come, and Magna Carta Holy Grail. The concert was a testament to HOV’s unmatched presence and influence in hip-hop. After an unforeseen delay, it embodied the “show must go on” ethos and surpassed even the highest expectations for what many predicted would be his best of the long weekend.
The Previous Nights’ Performances
The Reasonable Doubt 30th anniversary show demonstrated that DJ Premier, Ski, and Clark Kent’s cinematic, boom bap production and the razor-sharp mafioso rap of Jay’s debut album are well-suited for a stadium environment, while diehard fans were eager to hear deeper cuts like “D’Evils” and “Can I Live.” A surprise guest appearance from Beyoncé set the tone at the beginning of the concert, which also rewarded diehards with a four-song medley of classics alongside Nas and an unexpected reunion with Jay’s mentor, Jaz-O.
In contrast, the The Blueprint 25th anniversary show was tightly sequenced. Jay spent the first hour of the show performing the album front to back (minus “Takeover”) with technical precision. This included a colorful guest appearance from Slick Rick and an Eminem guest spot, the latter of which briefly stole the spotlight. After a short break, JAY-Z returned for a tidy second act that kicked off with “Empire State of Mind” minus Alicia Keys, followed by an extended Pharrell spotlight, which saw the two run through a five-song medley of their biggest hits.
In conclusion, JAY-Z’s final show at Yankee Stadium was a resounding success, with the rapper delivering a memorable performance that showcased his impressive catalog and ability to bring together a diverse range of guests. Despite the initial delay and security concerns, the concert ultimately proved to be an unforgettable experience for fans, cementing JAY-Z’s status as one of the most talented and influential figures in hip-hop.
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