Rap-Up.com || Jay-Z Makes History with Nas, Alicia Keys at Carnegie Hall

Jay-Z made a triumphant return to the stage with his first of two sold-out shows at New York’s historic Carnegie Hall on Monday night (Feb. 6). Accompanied by a 36-piece orchestra, the new father entered in a white tuxedo jacket and black bow tie to a standing ovation. He kicked off the evening with “PSA” and “Thank You” before introducing the orchestra’s female conductor and segueing into “Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love).”

Brooklyn’s own paid homage to his city with Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind” and Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” and referenced Gil Scott-Heron’s “New York Is Killing Me.” An elegant Alicia Keys held court with Hov for their Big Apple anthem “Empire State of Mind” and Jay joined his fellow New Yorker Nas for “N.Y. State of Mind.” Alicia returned to duet with Nas on “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That).”

“I didn’t think I was gonna make it through that one. That was tough,” Hov told concertgoers after performing “Glory,” his touching dedication to his daughter Blue Ivy Carter.

After changing into a more comfortable black jeans and tee, he delivered classics including “Big Pimpin’” and “Jigga” and brought out Roc Nation singer Bridget Kelly for “Young Forever.” Ninety minutes later, he made a grand exit through the balcony. Proceeds from the concert benefitted the United Way of New York City and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.

Posted in Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Nas, Photos | Permalink

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24 Comments

cece
February 6th, 2012 at 8:10 pm
once again bey didn’t attend :( i miss her

[Reply]
Lauryn Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 9:24 pm
@cece,
***BOO SHE DID – CHECK OUT BEYONCEONLINE***
OH MY GOSH, BEY’S HIPS ARE ON FIIIIIRE!!! BLOODCLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAART…
HER SHAPE AFTER “BLUE” IS FU-KING INSANE SHE WORKED THAT DRESS & LOUBOUTINS!!!
#TICKTICKTICKBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

[Reply]
Capon
February 6th, 2012 at 8:11 pm
I Wana see my baby BEYONCE!!!! AND is this big pimping dedicated to his angel BULE? OLD FOOL LOL

[Reply]
George
February 6th, 2012 at 8:11 pm
i am glad he gave Nas some shine 1ove #blackexcellence

[Reply]
bree
February 6th, 2012 at 8:14 pm
Alicia looks GOOD! She is so classy and gorgeous in that outfit. Congrats on the performance here with Nas & Jay. Much respect. Love AK so much! :)

[Reply]
KillBill92
February 6th, 2012 at 8:38 pm
Beyonce is coming back soon. Diane Warren tweeted something epic with I Was Here is about to happen, it ain’t the super bowl or the Grammys. #YearofBlue

[Reply]
nicegirl
February 6th, 2012 at 8:54 pm
He looks great. Apparently twitter’s going nuts cause Bey’s at the 40/40 afterparty. OMG.

[Reply]
KillBill92 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 9:51 pm
@nicegirl, *SCREAMS OCTAVE 12* BEY IS SO THICK AND BEAUTIFUL. THE BLOGS ARE FINNA GO CRAZY TOMORROW.

[Reply]
nicegirl Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 10:03 pm
@KillBill92, OMG I love her curves…stunning. come on rap up post the pics.

[Reply]
Bobby
February 6th, 2012 at 9:11 pm
BEYONCE WAS SPOTTED OUT <#33333333333333333333333333333333333

[Reply]
whitechocolate
February 6th, 2012 at 9:54 pm
I want video of Alicia and Nas doing “If I Ruled The World”. Sounds dope.

[Reply]
LOLO Reply:
February 7th, 2012 at 1:20 am
@whitechocolate,

Why did Jay Z not invite Lauryn Hill to do her song? I guess no nappy headed black girl needed…

[Reply]
Shade
February 7th, 2012 at 12:39 am
You beyonce stand need to get out of here…this is a Jay-Z post.

I only wish I was there. It’s performances like this that inspire so many people. Long Live HOV!

[Reply]
sean
February 7th, 2012 at 1:37 am
Ak looks amazing….love all three of them…greatest right there

[Reply]
Jay-Z Carnegie Hall Concert Review Round-up, Photos, Video Feb. 6, 2012 - Shallow Nation
February 7th, 2012 at 3:49 am
[...] a bit of “Gettin’ Money (The Get Money Remix).”Click here for concert photo gallery. Click here for more pictures. Jay-Z’s wife, music superstar Beyonce made her first public appearance [...]
sabrina
February 7th, 2012 at 4:01 am
Nas looks amazing. Omg. Jay Z looks his best in a tux.

[Reply]
nicegirl Reply:
February 7th, 2012 at 4:09 am
@sabrina, Agree with you. Jay looks great in a tux. Watched the Glory performance. You could hear in his voice he was emotional.

[Reply]
mikkey
February 7th, 2012 at 4:59 am
See people this is how you do it, first you can beef & battle, squash it then performing together, jay-z and nas is what pac and Big could’ve, should’ve, and maybe would’ve been, but oh well, its a NEW DAY

[Reply]
malikMJdope
February 7th, 2012 at 6:05 am
WISH I WAS THERE THAT SOUNDS SO DOPE ALL THOSE FORCES TOGETHER

[Reply]
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February 7th, 2012 at 6:47 am
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Anita
February 8th, 2012 at 9:40 am
Alicia looking beautiful and sounding so great! Can’t wait for the new album and her tribute to Etta on the Grammys.

[Reply]
jb
February 9th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Alright Jay Z you the man with my Nas and Alicia

[Reply]