Jay-Z Rips It At Glastonbury

Posted Tuesday, July 01, 2008 @ 02:49 in Music by Conan Milne

It’s clear that Noel Gallagher’s criticisms were lingering somewhere in the back of Shawn Carter’s mind as he first emerged from the backstage shadows. Entering to the immediately familiar Oasis anthem “Wonderwall,” Jay led the crowd, approximately 180,000 strong, in a wry sing-along. With a smirk creeping over his face, a guitar-wielding Master of Ceremonies looked slightly more validated as fans embraced his playful reinterpretation.

“I just got one thing to say,” came Jiggaman’s roar, before bounding towards his “99 Problems.” Clad in a black hoodie, complimenting scarf and thick-rimmed sunglasses, there was no questioning Jay’s comfort as the track’s distinctive guitar growls raised the energy of both Hova and every ticket holder. “I’m like ‘fuck critics,’ you can kiss my whole asshole,” Jay snarled, bobbing and weaving around the stage as Memphis Bleek played hypeman. “If you don’t like my lyrics…” There was no need for the headliner to proceed with that bar, instead merely gesturing fast-forward with a dismissive flick of his fingers.

The Roc Boy nonetheless played it safe with his next selection. Releasing his verse on the remix to Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab” was guaranteed to have everyone within earshot chanting along to that unforgettable “no, no, no.” Still, it’s an early testament to Jay’s crowd control that Winehouse herself was not called upon to saunter onstage and assist in the ironic merrymaking.

If “Rehab” was immediately welcome with the patriotic British crowd, Jay’s inclusion of his recent take on Lil Wayne’s “Millie” was a brave gamble that paid off. With Weezy’s star only now beginning to rise here in the UK, the audience was surprisingly entranced by Hov’s exuberant bounce over the screwed vocal and deafening bass. Cutting the omnipresent production mid-flow to go solo, the audience watched in silenced wonder as Jay concluded his underground offering. “It takes a nation of millions to hold us back / When ya boy reach a billie, it’s a wrap / Roc Nation, it takes a nation to stop / Signing off as the ‘hood’s Barack! Brrrrrah!”

After indulging the heaving swarm in a brief yet embittered political outpouring (“money over broads, you got it – fuck Bush!” Cue a giant screened picture of George W giving way to one of the real Barack) there seemed no better time for Jay’s rejuvenating “Public Service Announcement” to stir. “Allow me to reintroduce myself – my name is Hov!” That one line whipped the entire audience into a frenzy, with a swarm of hands in the air forming the obligatory diamond. “Oh, that looks so beautiful!” remarked the clearly impressed MC as every diamond bounced up and down in unison.

The aforementioned track was far from the only one to unite the crowd. “Big Pimpin” received a rapturous applause, withstanding as a certified party-starter ten years or so since its initial release. “Show Me What You Got” presented itself as a track that vastly benefits from the live treatment, it’s uplifting trumpets finally set free and allowed to immerse the packed field. “Hard Knock Life,” meanwhile, was another knowing selection from Jay. Even the most Hip-Hop illiterate patron was able to croon the universally known Annie sample. “It’s a hard knock life for us, it’s a hard knock life for us” came the enthusiastic backing vocals of hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers.

“Glastonbury…” trailed a bewildered Jay, evidently taken aback by a response of this magnitude. “I want to sincerely thank you for all the love you guys showed us tonight. I come from Brooklyn, New York, and to come over here and see y’all embrace us and embrace our culture and what we do… that means a lot to me and it means a lot to the whole culture. The world is watching. This is a beautiful moment, and I’m glad I could share it with each and every one of you.” Jay took a few steps back, either suggesting his imminent departure or simply trying to fathom the impact he had just made. Before he could disappear into the pitch-black night, however, there was the little matter of an “Encore.”

“Who you know fresher than Hov, riddle me that!” Adopting the Linkin Park version of one of The Black Album’s finest moments – minus Shinoda and company – Jay treated the crowd to one last, almighty hurrah. Jigga’s incredible backing band added lingering saxophones and guitar riffs to the original medley, perfectly complimenting one another. “I need y’all to remember one thing – I came, I saw, I conquered!” With every person in the vicinity involved in a spirited “Ho-va, Ho-va, Ho-va” cheer; there was clearly no room for debate on that one. Leaving the stage as ferocious drumming soldiered on and electric guitars wailed, Jay exited Glastonbury as the unquestionable highlight of the three-day event. By attaining this acclaim, he had done more than prove his own worth as central booking. He had ensured Hip-Hop’s future at a festival once weary of two turntables and a microphone. “Pretty fucking awesome,” indeed.

« Back to Blogs