Jay-Z Plays Live In London

Ahead of his EMAs performance tonight…

12:50, Thursday, 5 November 2009

It was in 2008, with headline slots at Wireless and Glastonbury, that Jay-Z really became an A list star in Britain.

Last night he hit London’s Alexandra Palace to confirm his status with a full live gig- before travelling to Berlin for tonight’s EMAs.

But despite the adulation it’s easy to forget just how many hits Jigga has had.

At this gig they just kept coming: Run This Town, 99 Problems, Show Me What You Got, Izzo (Hova), Heart Of The City, Dirt Off Your Shoulder, You Don’t Know.

All were effortlessly performed by Jigga and his backing group (including a tight horn section) with sound quality much better than the cavernous venue usually allows.

HAVE A LOOK AT THE PICTURES FROM LAST NIGHT'S GIG HERE

Hearing the Blueprint 3 tracks alongside the classics they mostly stand up. Current single Empire State Of Mind is already a huge anthem, D.O.A is a spot-on address about the state of hip hop and Star Is Born brilliantly showcases both Jay’s humility and ego.

By the encore you wonder what the Brooklyn MC- watched by dancing Gwyneth and Beyonce- has left to play but then he reminds you of more hits.

Crazy In Love, Venus Vs Mars, Bonnie and Clyde, Hardknock Life, Swagga Like Us, Big Pimpin and Encore all feature.

Referencing his 10 successive number one albums in the US the rapper thanks his loyal fans before mentioning the previous record holder. He tells the crowd: “Elvis has left the building!” Jay-Z definitely hasn’t.

By Tom Thorogood

Jay-Z at Alexandra Palace was sponsored by Barclaycard Unwind

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