…Anyone who was able to attend the second stop on Jay-Z’s “American Gangster” tour. Wow.
Seriously, if you live in Chicago and you missed it. You lost. You really lost.
Other than the fact that most attendees had to wait over an hour and a half outside in this beautiful Chicago weather*, this concert really couldn’t have been much better.
The crowd was crazy and people claimed to have paid upwards of $600 per ticket. I know that the Rocafella Records website reported that the Chicago show sold out in 8 seconds, but I’d like to know who actually was able to purchase one of these tickets in 8 seconds…It seemed everyone I talked to had to go through an independent broker for them. Hmmm…
Jay took the stage around 12:30am and rocked until 2:00am with a 12 piece band. Never one to let his fans down, Hova brought out the (remaining) Roc Boys: Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel and Freeway to perform hits such as “Roc Da Mic” and “You, Me, Him, Her”.
I guess I forgot how deep Jigga’s catalogue runs; he really could have played all night and well into the morning. The crowd was lucky enough to hear a lot of American Gangster and hits such as “Jigga My…”, “PSA”, “What More Can I Say”, and “Excuse Me Miss”.
Sadly, he did nothing from Reasonable Doubt, Vol. 1 or 2, but he did let the crowd perform the entire first verse to “Big Pimpin” before exiting the stage.
Now I’d heard rumblings from an insider that Jay was going to bring out a “very special guest” for his Chicago performance, but when Jigga emerged for his “Encore” to the instrumental from “Diamonds from Sierra Leone”, it was pretty obvious who was coming out.
The hometown hero, Kanye West emerged from backstage and did an impromptu performance of “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” and “Goodlife”. INSANITY! I’ve never seen a crowd react like that. I’m just happy to say that I was in the house to see it live.
Easily the highlight of the night was when all of the Roc Boys (sans Beans?) gathered on stage for the evenings (er…mornings) closer: “Roc Boys”. All seems well with Roc, at least it did last night. The video is above.
Now, since everyone couldn’t make it, I’ve posted some exclusive clips for your viewing pleasure below. Enjoy!
*but George Daniels was hanging out and cracking jokes with us schlubs in line.
Jay-Z & Kanye West "Encore"
Jay-Z "PSA"
Jay-Z with Beanie Sigel and Memphis Bleek "You, Me, Him, Her"
Beanie Sigel & Freeway "Roc Da Mic"
Kanye West "Can't Tell Me Nothin"
11 Comments:
NUFF RESPECT FOR THESE CLIPS, BROTHER!
I got mad excited to hear them....
you have made my day!
glad you were there, that's a concert to remember forever!
Like I said before..super jealous. Thanks for posting the videos though..I can at least pretend that I was there,right?
-Micaela
the quality of the video is excellent..
looks like the gig is worth $600.
I paid 260 for the show and it was worth every penny!!! I fealt it was worth that much just to see Jay at the house of blues but with kanye and all of roc-a-fella, OMG, Im still in dibelief how great that show was. I saw kanye at his chicago benefit show, but I fealt like the crowd got lowder when he came out this time. THANKS a lot for posting the great quality vids, it allowed me to somewhat relive the night. AGAIN, this was a show of a lifetime, and I have been to tons of concerts.
what more can I say? You have painted a very good picture, but let me add my own little twist. The pre-show. I flew up from Atlanta Wednesday morning for this concert, yes I'm that big a fan. He was here the Sunday before, but I really didn't think he would perform at velvet room (a club here in Atlanta). Turns out, he did 5 songs at velvet, which is nothing compared to what he did lastnite @ the house of blues.
I got in Chicago, and as soon as I stepped off the plane, I could feel this sense of history. Something came upon me and I immediately couldn't wait until midnight. I knew something was going down, but I wasn't sure what. When I bought the ticket, I repeatedly told friends "I know Kanye is coming out, he has to... its Chicago". I was saying that to make them jealous since nobody wanted to go, but I only had about 30% faith in that comment.
My day started easy. I hopped on the orange line, headed downtown towards my hotel- which check-in wasn't until noon, so this meant I had 3 hours to spare. I go eat at caffe baci for breakfast, that only wasted an hour. 2 hours left before I can actually take a nap and get rested for my big nite. So I started to walk off my breakfast in this cold windy city.I was going in stores just because- lol. Just to waste time, and for a little warmth. I knew something was wrong when I walked in sears and actually looked around. I bought nothing of course but I was warm. I went to H&M and was bothered by them having "marvel comics" underwear for grown men, I quickly exited. Went to nordstrom rack, again- another quick exit because of the nordstrom junk. Kept it pushing to saks, neiman marcus, gucci (where I saw 2 clowns), bloomingdales, tiffany & co., northface- hey, what do you know, its 11:50, let me try my luck @ the hotel. Wait, theres a cheesecake??? I almost went in and got the avacado eggrolls, but I said nope, I can get that at home- I should enjoy chicago for this one day.
I walk over to the hotel to find myself in a conversation with the receptionist about my "one night stay" in Chicago- maybe she thought I was up to something illegal and didn't want it going down in her hotel, so she became a tad bit invasive if you ask me. "So, do you have big plans for your one night stay in Chicago?" I politely ignored her showing my good southern spirit, but she asked again- I replied "yes, theres a big show tonite at the house of blues". "Really? Who's playing?" "Oh just a guy by the name of Jay-z. I'm sure you never heard of him." She laughs and gives me my key, and gives me a map just in case I want to get around a little before the show.
I go up to the room, get a shower and a power nap- now I'm headed out for a meal. Dealing with DST and my time zone change, it felt like I had been in Chicago for 3 days and it was only about 3 o'clock. I picked up a magazine and sure enough, Oprahs favorites were listed. I chose to try garretts. I get on the train and head down a few stops, The cheese corn was GREAT!! I'm eating that, and walking. Still wasting precious time before my big show. I ended up at wow bao, which is right around the corner from the house of blues. Time for another meal, so I eat at wow bao, which was pretty good too, and then decide to scope things out at the house of blues. Just to see where I needed to go get in line- I didn't want to be lost ya know?
I walk up and get harassed by this "security" character- "you gotta ticket?" Nah, again showing my southern spirit- "what? you trying to go to the restaurant?" "Nah- is this the main entrance?" "Yes it is, you have a ticket?" Nah- I walk off and head back to my room- I have it down. Go home, lay down for a minute, get up and head back down to the h.o.b. No way was I taking a train, it would be my luck the train was going 6mph because of construction, and no way would I walk- my luck I would get hit by a car. So I figured I would take a taxi. The receptionist told me it would only be about a $5 ride to the house of blues.
Here I am- getting dressed- its show time. I feel like I'm performing. Its 9 or so, and I said I would leave @ 9:30 to get in line. I get downstairs and the doorman whistles down a taxi for me- "where are you going sir?" the house of blues- "somebody big there tonite?" "Oh just a guy by the name of Jay-z." He's overwhelmed, and begins to tell me how an ex-bulls player stayed in my hotel a few nights prior (I promised not to reveal his name or the hotel), and tells me to enjoy the concert- off in the cab I go.
Well, I arrive- only a $4.50 (the receptionist was right) fair and I give him $5,again- showing my good ol' southern spirit. I arrive around 9:50, doors don't open until 11, but I knew I would have to get there early to get a close spot to the stage since it was general admission/standing room only. Surprisingly, it was about 30-40 people already there. At least I was there before the line wrapped around the corner.
This had to be the most comedic hour I've had in a while. Despite the cold, the wind, and the flurries to come later in the night, I had an okay time in line. I saw a white guy get arrested- he was DRUNK and kept trying to get in line with his friends. He came by twice, and the next time I saw him- he was in cuffs. Sorry to the white guy in that yankees jacket. He got wasted, arrested, and missed an amazing show. Then I saw the oldest hustle in the book- A guy walks up with the old "ball under the cap" trick- then 2 minutes later another guy walks up willing to bet. "Its in the middle- I know its in the middle 'cause your ball is too big for the caps." I think he put down 5 or 10 bucks and he won.. Here comes security, the gambler immediately gets a phone call, and the hustler walks off. 30 seconds later, the gambler heads in the same direction. Hmmm??? They almost ripped this poor little girl off- lol. I got a free t-shirt, a free jay-z mixtape, another free cd from a local on the rise (trashed it)- I was waiting on somebody to walk by giving away jay-z denali's but it never happened. I saw some girls in miniskirts and heels too, no jackets?? Whats that about? It was freezing, and this is a concert, right?
Well, its 11 and the doors haven't opened yet? 11:10? 11:15? The lines moving, but my feet are frozen. I'm walking like Frankenstein- I get inside and get 2 cranberry and vodkas to warm me up "NO ICE" I tell the bartender "I'm freezing". She laughs- I was in a zone after those 2, the dj played all outkast before Jigga man hit the stage. I felt like I was at home-
Couple funny things though during the show. Not sure if you caught this- but on one of jigga's breaks, he's drinking his water. This guy in front of me yells "let me get some of that water hov!!" Jay walks up and hands him the bottled water. This same guy held up the american gangster cd and a sharpie almost the entire show. That's the oldest male groupie I've ever seen. He had to be at least 21. Another thing- when kanye was doing "good life", the part where he says "50 told me go 'head switch the style up..." the music lowered and jay laughed... he said it again, and jay laughed. Classic-
Great show though Chicago- that's the best concert I've ever seen. Now I'm back in Atlanta watching the pistons game, and guess who they're playing? Yup, the bulls. Thanks Chi-town, I had a great time. Loved garretts! I had to stop there again on my way out. Hey, I forgot I had that in my backpack (which I never let leave my sight because it held my precious ticket). I took it everywhere -)guess I'll finish off my large mix from garretts and watch the game.
thanks chi for the memory.
another thing- I'm a house of blues member, and I was able to purchase tickets for the show a day before they went on sale with ticketmaster. I'd advise you guys to become a member, its free. Thats part of the "8 second sell-out" problem. House of blues members got to purchase early-
Decatur, you really didn't miss much will you were in town, huh? I enjoyed reading your synopsis man, good work. You must have only been a few feet in front or behind me in line because I saw everything you did.
-To the guy in the Yankee's jacket who never made it in!
lol- I guess... did you see the chic with the black and gold rocawear dress? She had on some heels too? You couldnt miss her, but I wasnt too far behind her. She walked across the street to that lil bar or whatever it was to use the bathroom- her and a friend.
But yeah, I was trying to get it in man- I only had a day really, and I didnt just want to sit in my room all day. I wanted to get out a little too so- I did.
I'm thinking about starting one of these blogs- is this stuff protected? I'd hate to post something and lose it to some thief- I have short stories and verses for days. I should be on strike with the rest of the writers -)
lol- I guess... did you see the chic with the black and gold rocawear dress? She had on some heels too? You couldnt miss her, but I wasnt too far behind her. She walked across the street to that lil bar or whatever it was to use the bathroom- her and a friend.
But yeah, I was trying to get it in man- I only had a day really, and I didnt just want to sit in my room all day. I wanted to get out a little too so- I did.
I'm thinking about starting one of these blogs- is this stuff protected? I'd hate to post something and lose it to some thief- I have short stories and verses for days. I should be on strike with the rest of the writers -)
Hey, what's your E-mail? Do you have AIM?
fakeshoredrive@gmail.com
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