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Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2008 > April > 09
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z In Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday night at Philips Arena was hip-hop and hip-hop/soul as many had probably never seen it.
Chandeliers and string sections.
Grown couples in evening attire holding each other and dancing.
And a VIP section behind the sound board so packed with music industry powers that one had to expect whatever nearby hangar private jets fly into must have been packed.
That was the scene as multi-Grammy-winning singer Mary J. Blige and legendary rapper Jay-Z brought their sold out “Heart Of The City” tour to Atlanta last evening.
And even Blige couldn’t help but remark on it all from the stage: “It’s just amazing, amazing what Atlanta has become…Give yourself some love tonight please…I mean, Tyler Perry’s in the front row!”
And yes, that was Jay-Z’s reported new bride Beyonce in the front row of that VIP section on the floor, along with fellow artists Rick Ross, Monica, Jazze Pha, Kandi, Divinity (Beyonce’s bassist) and DJ Drama; executives Jermaine Dupri, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Kevin Liles, Lyor Cohen, Chaka Zulu, Devyne Stephens and Michael Kyser; as well as Usher’s producer brother J-Lack.
But on stage were the main attractions — an obviously, vocally-stronger Blige charging through a medley of hits including “Reminisce”; “Real Love”; “Be Happy”; the stand-out “No More Drama” and the more recent hit she recorded here with Atlanta’s Jazze Pha, Tricky Stewart and the opening act on the tour, The Dream, “Just Fine.”
Then after appearing with Blige at the beginning to do their collaboration, “Can’t Knock The Hustle,” and again midset, Jay-Z took the stage to do mostly longer versions of his catalog of hits. And while showing hometown love by seguing into local rapper Shawty Lo’s “Dey Know” — and bringing Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy on stage, was a highlight, the energy level went up higher when a picture of President George W. Bush flashed on the screen. Many booed. “You’re ready for change right?” Jay-Z asked. Then the picture changed to Senator Barack Obama — generating wild applause.
The capacity crowd hit frenzy level though when he started playing bits from his collaborations with Beyonce, such as “Crazy In Love” and “Upgrade U”.
Alas, she didn’t take the stage. But V-103’s Miss Sophia reported that she showed later at Dupri’s after-party with Jay-Z at Studio 72 (along with Usher and his wife Tameka; and rapper Nelly). Blige, Diddy and Lil Kim were due at Dreamz. And Elle Duncan of V-103’s “Ryan Cameron Show” was planning a birthday party at Luckie Lounge.
Were you at the show last night? (See the accessatlanta.com photo gallery ) If so, what grade would you give it? And did you have enough energy to make it to the many parties afterward?
