The Blueprint turns 25 this year and is one of Jay-Z‘s more popular albums. That was reflected in the massive crowd that made their way to the Bronx to watch the Brooklyn rapper perform for the second night in a row at Yankee Stadium. There was energy in the air for this one that was different from the first night. The audience was a bit more diverse in terms of age and race, and certainly more engaged, which made the show feel like a big party.
Jay went through each song at what felt like a feverish pace, giving fans little time to rest. And they didn’t mind — they just kept getting louder. It was impressive to see in person, especially when the surprise guests hit the stage.
First was the legendary Slick Rick, who, of course, came out after Hov did “The Ruler’s Back” to start the show. He then brought out Eminem so they could perform “Renegades” together, and before the Detroit rapper peaced out, he lit the crowd up with “Lose Yourself.” However, Jay’s special guest that got the biggest pop from the rabid crowd Saturday night was Pharrell, as they ran through a handful of the hits they’ve made together over the years, like “Frontin’” and “Give It to Me.”
On consecutive nights, Jay showed why most fans and critics consider him to be top five, dead or alive. He also made the haters and detractors look silly, holding sold-out crowds in the palm of his hand as they rapped along to songs that are old enough to get married.
There were a bunch of highlights from night two of Jay-Z’s Yankee Stadium residency, and we picked out some of our favorite moments. Check them out below.
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The Crowd
The crowd was special Saturday night. They were more raucous and more engaged than the more laid-back crowd from the first night. I was in a beer line with Europeans that were speaking a language I didn’t understand, and there was a an older dude in front of me on the floor in a tucked-in golf shirt and loafers absolutely losing his mind to almost every song. He even throw on a Jay-Z snapback towards the end of the night and start thuggin’ it while rapping to his camera. It was incredible to watch. While I feel like Friday night’s show was better — probably because it’s rare to see songs from Reasonable Doubt being performed in that setting — the audience during “Blueprint Night” made the second show just as special.
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Crime Pays
“Never Change” is one of my all-time favorite Jay songs. It’s truly for the real ball knowers. I never thought I would see him perform that deep cut live, and I’m grateful to be living in times like these. If only [redacted] would’ve been on that stage rapping the hook. Too bad The Throne is no more.
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There Ain’t No Love
Watching Jigga perform “Heart of the City” in the middle of Yankee Stadium during a summer night as a subway car passes by in the background is peak. That’s all I really have to say about it. This was definitely one of those “you had to be there” moments. You haven’t lived until you’ve sung “Ain’t no love in the heart of the city/ Ain’t no love in the heart of town” at the top of your lungs with thousands of people.
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The Original Ruler
Slick Rick came out with the biggest, iciest chain I’ve ever seen. It was a big plate the size of a torso with the continent of Africa on it. The Blueprint‘s intro, “The Ruler’s Back,” is a nod to the legendary MC, so it was only right for Jigga to pay homage and have the Bronx legend bless the stage to start things off where he did his classic “La-Di-Da-Di” in front of a sold-out crowd at Yankee Stadium.
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One Million, Two Million, Three Million, Four
I still remember where I was when I first heard “U Don’t Know.” I was in my car parked in front of Eclipse Records in my hometown after I bought The Blueprint on CD the day before it officially went on sale. I sat there playing the album, and once track six came on I lost my mind and ran it back a couple times, and then I finally took off bumping the rest of the tape on my Pioneer speakers. Seeing the pop this song got Saturday night is something I will remember for the rest of my life. It’s one of the hardest songs ever recorded, and it might be Just Blaze’s best beat.
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Renegades
He brought Eminem out to do “Renegades.” I can die now. And no, I don’t think he ran circles around Jay. Do you fools listen to music or just skim through it?
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I Call Him for Real Because He’s the Truth
Pharrell got a pop from the crowd like he was Sting or something. They went crazy once Jay said “Skateboard P” and showed his face on the screens. The two ran through some of the hits they’ve made together. They did “Excuse Me Miss,” “La-La-La,” “Frontin’,” “Give It to Me” and “Allure.”
Yes, they did “Allure.”
Did you hear what I said? “Allure.”
Truly bucket list s— for any and every Jigga fan.