NYC native takes stage in tribune to families affected by attacks.
This past September 11th marked the 8th anniversary of the tragic events that took place in New York City back in 2001. Almost every year since, there have been various and vast amounts of musicians staging benefit concerts come September in the hopes of raising money for the families affected that solemn day in New York.
This year, Jay-Z took to the stage in New York’s famous Madison Square Garden on September 11th to raise money for the families of the victims.
The 11th also marked the eighth anniversary of the New York MC’s trailblazing Blueprint album that sent his career and popularity sky rocketing back in 2001. On that anniversary, Jay-Z dropped The Blueprint III, one of the most anticipated albums of the year. This took place amidst weeks of controversy, including the album being leaked one week prior to the release date.
That aside, Jay-Z continued with his plan for the benefit concert in New York. It was a show to remember. His wife, superstar Beyonce, joined him on stage, as well as friends and collaborators, Rihanna and Kanye West. Other guest appearances included: Swizz Beatz, Mary J. Blige, Pharell Williams, Kid Cudi and John Mayer, who played guitar on Jay’s The Blueprint III single “D.O.A (Death of Auto-Tune).”
Obviously, it would be hard to keep the focus on 9/11 with such a star studded line up of performers, but the night was done tastefully and with all the right attentions. Jay-Z pulled it off brilliantly, adding to the long list of career defining performances he has done in New York over the years, like his Reasonable Doubt 10th anniversary show at Radio City Music Hall or his “retirement” show in Madison Square Garden in 2003.
The defining moment of this night came at the very end, when the emotionally charged crowd’s attention was pulled back on to the reason for why they were all there: to honour 9/11 victims. Jay-Z’s “Young Forever” blared across New York’s most famous arena as the crowd remembered.
A touching montage of the New York police officers and firefighters who tragically lost their lives eight years ago played on a massive screen behind the evening’s host. Jay-Z rapped passionately through the montage before ending the evening with: “Make some noise for those that lost their lives so we could live ours.”
One hundred percent of the concert’s proceeds were donated to the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund, a non-profit organization that has already given out over $100 million dollars to the families of 9/11 victims.
