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Jay Z Proves That Music is a Universal Language: MCHG Concert Recap with Videos
RnB/Hip Hop | Sunday 13th October 2013 | Natasha
Last night I was fortunate enough to witness one of hip hop’s greatest, Jay Z. Taking the tube to the 02 arena at last night’s show, he walked straight in as a crowd of screaming fans and shocked onlookers quickly followed behind. Some were lucky enough to get a hand shake and some (like me) watched on in complete disbelief. There is this feeling that you get when you are in the presence of someone so gifted and so talented, someone whose music has given you so much life. It’s an unexplainable feeling but when you feel it, you feel it.
Inside, the arena was filling up rapidly as everyone started to take their place, ready to be a part of a unique experience. The music was loud and the drinks were flowing while the wait for Jay Z to step on stage was almost overwhelming. And then it happened. The lights went down, arms were raised and the music got louder as Jay Z stepped out and opened with, ‘You Don’t Know’.
Now Jay Z has the attention of thousands of fans he made a couple of orders - well, what’s a concert without a couple of mosh pits anyway? Mosh pits formed and the crowd just waiting for the signal to go crazy, the beat drops and Jay Z performs ‘Crown’.
Next, the crowd claps along to the intro of ‘F*ck with me you know I got it’ as Jay Z embraces and interacts with the crowd – one thing he makes a point of doing, and continues to do very well. Timberland also had his time to shine and speak to adoring fans when he played a set that got everyone up and dancing while Jay Z was off stage.
There is something about the track ’99 Problems’ that makes for such an amazing live performance. I think it has something to do with the raw production that just makes it so incredibly hip hop. The dark and minimalistic setting of the stage meant that all attention was on the music. We were not distracted by outlandish visuals and props. The music spoke for itself and when Jay Z performed ‘99 problems’ there was no need for anything other than complete minimalism because his ‘genius level talent’ has no need for aids, it speaks for itself.
What’s a show without some art? You hear the instantly recognisable beat to ‘Picasso Baby’ and you know what’s coming…
‘We don’t just shine we illuminate the whole show’. One of my most loved moments from last night’s show was when Jay Z rapped ‘Dead Presidents’. He had just got the whole arena hyped with tracks from the latest MCHG album and then he took it back for us. He reminded us exactly why he is one of the greatest artists, a legend in the history of hip hop.
The whole arena is now swaying from left to right and Jay Z keeps us in an earlier stage of his timeline and performs, ‘Hard Knock Life’. This felt like one of those ‘classic’ moments.
Parting with words of wisdom, Jay Z tells us to chase our dreams .He sends a positive message to every single person in the arena and the lighting from thousands of phones make the arena look like it was covered in stars, a magical moment that describes the atmosphere of the concert as a whole.
For me, last night was evidence that music is a universal language. Music unites people from all over the world and last night we all came together for the same reason, for a love of hip hop. The show was an unforgettable experience, not only because of the music that fills your ears but because when you watch someone like Jay Z you can’t help but feel moved and inspired. That feeling that defines hip hop at its greatest.
Natasha Artwell
@NatashaArtwell
