The night was enchanting.
So many beautiful things came to life at Jay-Z’s "B-Sides 2" concert held at the iconic and newly renovated Webster Hall in New York City. A designated landmark for the Big Apple and its oldest operating music venue, Webster Hall underwent renovations for nearly two years before swinging open its doors on Friday night for a homecoming concert (no pun intended, Beyoncé fans!) with the 22-time GRAMMY award-winning artist. It was Jay-Z’s first time performing at the East Village venue, which is now owned by AEG Live and BSE (of the Barclays Center), but he seemed at home.
Maybe that's because he was.
Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Roc Nation
Just a hop, skip and train ride away is Brooklyn, i.e., the place that molded Jay-Z, tested his belief in self, and provided the inspiration for many of his most introspective and greatest songs, some of which he performed at Webster.
But first, we had to wait. DJ Clark Kent, a legend in his own right who produced three tracks on Jay’s debut album, Reasonable Doubt, spun records on his turntables for over two hours before Jay hit the stage in a sleek tuxedo, bow tie, headband and heavy gold chain. When he walked onstage—eyes wide open, a slight grin on his face—and placed both hands on the microphone, time seemed to stand still. The crowd roared, and hands shaped like diamonds flew in the air. The intimate ballroom—a space that sold out just hours after tickets went on sale—held an energy of anticipation, excitement and awe. Something special was happening, and everyone in the room knew it. Hovi's home.
"I can’t help it if my B Sides are A sides," Jay-Z bragged during the show. Never a fan of humility, but also never needing to be, most of Jay-Z’s B-side tracks are bonafide hits. He bolted out cult favorites like "Allure," "Lucifer," and "Prelude," with an extraordinary live band behind him. Like his first "B-Sides" concert at Terminal 5 in 2015, where he reunited with his Roc-A-Fella familia Beanie Sigel and Freeway, he brought out special guests.
First up, Nas. The two superstars have a soiled past and one of hip-hop’s greatest feuds on wax, so no one expected this kind of reconciliation. Sure, they’ve made up since then but their onstage collaboration appeared rooted in a genuine love and respect for one another. It was an honorable disregard for the past, and a sincere embrace of the now. During Jay-Z's performance of "Success," Nas emerged in a butter-soft black leather trench and his own QB heavy chain adorning his neck. The audience screamed along, not fully understanding the gravity of the moment, but appreciating it nonetheless. The two legends performed Nas' "The World is Yours," which led into Jay's "Dead Presidents," a song that borrowed its chorus from Nas.
Minutes later came an even bigger surprise: an appearance by Cam'ron, former Roc-A-Fella artist whose relationship with Jay was more than strained. Most didn’t know they reconciled, which made the performance of "Welcome To New York City" even more epic. Diplomats rapper Jim Jones, who is currently signed to Roc Nation, hit the stage to perform "I Really Mean It" alongside Cam'ron. "Nas ain't my enemy, Cam ain't my enemy," Jay later declared. "Those are my brothers."
Jay-Z even blessed the crowd with new material. After performing "Some How, Some Way" from the Blueprint 2 album, he broke into an impromptu verse on friend and slain rapper, Nipsey Hussle. It was a string of powerful words to wake us up. "Gentrify your own hood before these people do it / Claim eminent domain and have your people move in / That's a small glimpse into what Nipsey was doing," Jay rapped.
Jay-Z’s "B-Sides 2" at Webster Hall, a revitalized century-old staple, is a testament that there is beauty in making old things new again. Threaded throughout the tapestry of the night was forgiveness, collaboration and redemption. Jay breathed life into decade old songs. He painted his childhood neighborhood beautiful with metaphors. He transformed rivals into friends. He made beauty from ashes.
