The lights went down, and both artists appeared on two opposite square stages, which soon lit up. Rising video cubes! Performing two songs off of Watch the Throne, the stages continued to elevate, showing images of sharks and mean-looking dogs. The two moved to the main stage under a huge American flag to perform “Otis,” their “Try a Little Tenderness”-sampling hit. What was immediately apparent is how much cleaner and faster Jay-Z can rap. Jay-Z also seemed lighter on his feet and was smiling more. West’s face, while not exactly scowling, gave the impression that he was either really concentrating or holding back.
After “Otis,” the artists began trading off stage duties, with Jay-Z going first. I don’t think I’d want to follow him — but Kanye took his turn, beginning with “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” and “Flashing Lights.” My friend Jenne commented that he was moving like a bulldog — head down, looking grunty. Despite the lasers, fire and lights, he still seemed somewhat stilted, particularly after watching Jay-Z work the crowd to “Jigga What, Jigga Who,” but once “Jesus Walks” began, West finally began to break a sweat and hit a stride. Wearing a black leather kilt with black leather pants (leggings?) underneath, topped with an oversized black T-shirt adorned with stars, West began throwing his body into the music, covering the large stage. He performed half of “All Falls Down” off College Dropout before a break — and it’s never been so apparent to me that there is an ocean between now and when West was rapping about dressing like a prep and working at the Gap.After another mini-set from each artist including “Monster” and a fabulous go at “Power” from West, the two sat down together onstage to perform “Made in America” and “New Day” from Watch the Throne. Before the songs, West told the audience, “I’m onstage with my idol,” and as he sat down, whatever seemed to be weighing on him began to lift, and he finally connected with the audience, particularly during “New Day,” in which the two talk about desires for their children. West’s delivery felt absolutely sincere: “See, I just want him to have an easy life, not like Yeezy life/Just want him to be someone people like/Don’t want him to be hated, all the time judged/Don’t be like your daddy that would never budge.” The two remained seated while “Hard Knock Life” began, and West — at long last — smiled wide and looked like he was having as much fun as Jay-Z. After all, not many of us get to do a greatest-hits session with our idols.
West continued to open up with “Runaway,” the toast to the douchebags he wrote following the infamous Taylor Swift mic-grabbing incident. “Heartless” and “Stronger” were performed back on the rising video cube, this time completely illuminating him in scarlet. His final mini-set back on the main stage included a multi-laser, pyrotechnic-heavy light show that probably should have included a warning about potential for seizures. “Good Life,” “Touch the Sky” and, naturally, “All of the Lights” proved to be a hearty setup for the climax of the show. Hit parade time — both artists collaborated on “Big Pimpin’,” “Gold Digger” and “99 Problems.” Wow is not the word. The crowd was seized by dance frenzy, and the performers were all smiles. The show wrapped with two more off Watch the Throne, including THREE (were there four?) performances of “Niggas in Paris,” during which Jay-Z got the entire crowd to wave their arms in a bowing motion. It looked awesome. Watch the throne, indeed. That shit cray. SETLISTH.A.M. - WTT
Who Gon’ Stop Me - WTT
Otis - WTT
Welcome to the Jungle - WTT
Gotta Have It - J
Where I’m From -J
Jigga What, Jigga Who - J
Can’t Tell Me Nothing - K
Flashing Lights - K
Jesus Walks - K
All Falls Down - K
Diamonds from Sierra Leone (remix) - K
Public Service Announcement - J
U Don’t Know - J
Run this Town - J
Monster - K
Power - K
Made in America - WTT
New Day - WTT
Hard Knock Life - J
Izzo (H.O.V.A.) - J
Empire State of Mind - J
Runaway - K
Heartless - K
Stronger - K
On to the Next One - J
Dirt Off Your Shoulder - J
Give It To Me; That’s My Bitch - J
Good Life - K
Touch the Sky - K
All of the Lights - K
Big Pimpin’ — J&K
Gold Digger — J&K
99 Problems — J&K
No Church in the Wild - WTT
Niggas In Paris - WTT
Encore: Niggas In Paris (3x)
Comments (0)