Jay-Z's controversial performance at British music festival Glastonbury has given the rap superstar a career boost - his hit '99 Problems' is set to soar back into the UK charts. Organisers were criticised for recruiting the hip-hop star to perform at last weekend's event by those who claimed the decision compromised Glastonbury's rock roots.
But Jay-Z wowed a 100,000 plus crowd - many of whom raced home and downloaded his hits online. According to CMU Music, sales of '99 Problems' and 'Encore' are set to appear in the UK's top 40 this weekend.
Sales of Oasis' 'Wonderwall', which Jay-Z covered at Glastonbury, have shot up 200 per cent, lifting it into the top 100, 13 years after it was first released.
Teaming up for a good cause, Rihanna and Jay-Z were among the performers on hand in Abuja to kick off the Thisday Music and Fashion Festival on Friday night (July 11).
Hitting the stage as the opening act, Rihanna treated the fans to a rendition of her first big hit, Pon de Replay, before working her way into Turn Me On Boy and Shut Up and Drive.
And after a cover of Bob Marley’s classic Is This Love, the Barbados beauty gave the crowd the thrill of their lifetime - as “just when it seemed like she was retreating, Jay-Z joined her and spurred the crowd into leaving their seats - with the duo feeding the crowd with Rihanna’s biggest hit to date and obviously a crowd favorite, Umbrella, which stayed atop the US music charts for several weeks after its release last year.”
Jay-Z then stayed on stage solo - performing his hit single Show Me What You Got before offering up a one-sided rendition he and Beyonce’s duet, Crazy in Love.
Jay-Z Drops $20,000 on Dinner to Thank Glastonbury Crew
You can debate calling Jay-Z the greatest rapper alive, but you’ll lose if you call him cheap. To thank his friends and crew for helping make the Glastonbury concert a highlight in his career, early this week, Jay-Z took all 30 of those friends out for a big dinner at L’Avenue in Paris, France.
A close source gave the who and why to The Sun..
“Jay said he thought the set at Glastonbury was immense, ridiculously good in fact. So he treated the band, management and crew to an elaborate dinner at L’Avenue. He reckons his current tour has been very historic and rewarded everyone accordingly. The bill was very pricey as you can imagine! In the region of $10,000-20,000. But with Jay-Z you’d expect nothing else.”
TMZ has photos of the house that Jay-Z and Beyoncé reportedly purchased in Scarsdale, NY. Scarsdale is a northern suburb of New York City with a population of about 18,000.
The modern colonial property is around 15,000 square feet and sits on approximately two acres. The house has been under construction for about six months. The home that was there before was torn down.
The newlyweds got their marriage license in Scarsdale.
Beyonce Knowles has finally come clean about her secret marriage to Jay-Z, admitting that she won’t deny their union. The former Destiny’s Child singer got hitch to hip-hop mogul Jay-Z in a private ceremony in New York last month, but neither newlywed has talked about the happy news. Knowles has finally acknowledged the wedding, stating: She says, "I don't deny it (the wedding). I just don't talk about it. “We've never talked about us and it's kind of protected our relationship. I think it's kept us out of tabloid drama. "A lot of actresses that have had successful relationships don't talk about them, so neither do I."
Jay-Z is planning to throw a lavish party for his new wife Beyoncé Knowles. It's thought he plans to celebrate their recent marriage by hosting a glitzy bash in Cannes, where he proposed to her on board his yacht last year. ‘Jay-Z wants to shout out how much he loves Beyoncé and this party will be the moment he does that,’ an insider tells the Daily Star Sunday. ‘They have been pretty low-key as a married couple so far but Cannes is the place they will really have a blow-out.’ The couple got married in a secret ceremony in New York on 4 April. Victoria Beckham, 34, and Gwyneth Paltrow, 35, are said to have made the guest list for the party, to be held on 23 May.
Hey everyone, i just wanted to post to announce that big updates are on the horizon, from the 21st May I will be going on vacation for a few weeks (however i will of course continue to update you with the latest news) however before that I want to share alot of photo and media updates, so feel free to keep checking back, i'll be adding this up until i leave!
Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter has established an educational trust for the for the children of Sean Bell, the unarmed African-American man who was shot and killed by police on the day he was to be married.
Sources have confirmed with AllHipHop.com that Jay-Z is working closely with Nicole Paultre Bell, Sean Bell's widow, to institute the trust funds for both of their children. Nicole Bell appeared prominently in Jay-Z’s Rocawear "I Will Not Lose" advertising campaign with images that caused indignation within the NYPD's Benevolent Association. The process began prior to the not guilty verdict for three police officers accused of slaying Sean Bell.
A well-informed source close to the matter told AllHipHop.com that Nicole Bell’s lawyers didn’t want to initiate any activity during the trial. Typically, a trust fund is regarded as a long-term, profitable program that can provide significant monies that vest when a child becomes an adult or graduates from college. They can also become available at a designated point in the future. Trusts, educational or otherwise, are generally set up in the child's name, by their parents or others close to the child.
Now that the trial is over, Jay-Z will resume his efforts for the children of Sean Bell in the form of a stock-based trust fund.
Judge Arthur Cooperman acquitted NYPD officers Mike Oliver (who fired 31 shots at Bell), Gescard Isnora (11 shots) and Michael Cooper (four shots) in a case that has instilled nationwide outrage in Bell’s supporters. Two other men were shot in the shooting, where the police were charged with manslaughter, assault and reckless endangerment In the aftermath of the Sean Bell verdict, the Hip-Hop nation has responded en mass with songs, statements and protests. Those that disagree with the verdict include The Game, David Banner, Swizz Beatz, Talib Kweli, Styles P, Jadakiss, Mos Def, and countless others.
Below is a webisode for Rocawear’s "I Will Not Lose" campaign featuring Nicole Bell.
All eyes were on Beyonce last night at the 'Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy' Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Beyonce and Jay-Z are still staying mum about the details surrounding their wedding and Beyonce made sure the cameras got a glimpse of her ring-less hand to avoid the wedding questions. She opted for a fuchsia cocktail ring instead of her wedding band. Smart move!
Beyonce made a surprise appearance at her husband Jay-Z's Heart of the City tour stop Friday night at New York's Madison Square Garden. In a regular part of the show, the rapper sits in a DJ booth and plays his classic hits to rhyme over, only to cut them all short with a "f**k that s**t." He dismissed his wife's song "Crazy in Love" in the same manner. But this time, the song kept playing and Beyonce appeared on stage to the song's familiar booty-shake. Before leaving, she walked over to her husband, swirled and gave him a smile. Once she was safely off stage, Jay-Z laughs and says, "That's some bulls**t right there!"
Watch: Beyonce Made An Appearance in NYC Tour Date!
Hip-hop royalty was on tap as Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige's 2008 Heart of the City tour courted the 13,000 or so fans on hand at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Friday, April 25. The two opened the show together with their classic "Can't Knock the Hustle" from Jay's debut "Reasonable Doubt." Mary J. took over for the next hour+ by dropping one gem after the next, elevating the emotional power of each song as the set continued. By the time "No More Drama" came to a heart-wrenching finale, Mary had her fans wildly screaming for more. As she continued on -- constantly engaging the females in the audience with advice and comments from her own challenges -- it became clear that following the Quuen of Hip-Hop Soul was not going to be an easy task -- even for the "greatest of all time" Jay-Z -- to follow.
Hova took over with a focus on his 2007 "American Gangster" album, delivering "Say Hello" and "Roc Boys" before dropping a somewhat out-of-place rap verse from Beyonce's "Upgrade U." But all was good with Jay spitting in front of a full band, even with the somewhat cheesy "Show Me What You Got" from 2006's forgettable "Kingdom Come." As promised, Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella protege Memphis Bleek took it up a couple levels with two ferocious tracks, "U Don't Know" from the classic "Blueprint" and an interesting AC/DC mash-up on the Rick Rubin-produced "99 Problems" from the "Black Album."
Mary J. came back out and helped Jay-Z shut the show down with "Heart of the City" and "You're Welcome (Hands Up)" sending the crowd off on an undeniable high.
PALTROW COMES TO JAY-Z'S DEFENCE OVER GLASTONBURY ROW
Hollywood actress GWYNETH PALTROW has staunchly defended her rapper pal JAY-Z against criticism for his headlining spot at Britain's legendary Glastonbury festival this summer (08). It has been alleged that Jay-Z's scheduled performance on the mainstage has been largely responsible for the decline in ticket sales for the event, but organisers have slammed the suggestion that festival-goers want to see rock bands perform instead of hip-hop stars. Historically, all tickets have been snapped up within hours of their release. But Shakespeare In Love beauty Paltrow, who was a witness at Jay-Z's recent wedding to Beyonce Knowles, insists the Big Pimpin' hitmaker will be "brilliant for Glastonbury". She adds, "He's the best rapper of all-time and I think he'll knock it out of the park." Paltrow joined Jay-Z on stage at his Royal Albert Hall gig in London in 2006, providing backing vocals for one of his songs. Jay-Z has also collaborated with Paltrow's husband Chris Martin.
Let's just let the Washington Post 's Michael Lee lay this one in:
The most ridiculously entertaining and completely ridiculous subplot of this Washington Wizards-Cleveland Cavaliers playoff series has reached another stratosphere, after my moles informed me that hip hop legend Jay-Z made a diss record on Friday about DeShawn Stevenson.
You read that right. Jay-Z, the Jigga Man, H-to-the-Izzo, Mr. Beyonce Knowles, made diss record about DeShawn Stevenson that was played at the D.C. night spot Love on Friday night, according to several witnesses. I have not heard the song or the lyrics but I was told that Jay-Z freestyled over the beat for the track, "Blow The Whistle" by rapper Too Short.
Lee says Caron Butler walked out of the club when the DJ replayed the diss track a few times, while Gilbert Arenas considered it an honor that Jay-Z spent time thinking about DeShawn.
Of course, there was a mic involved ... so Damon Jones got involved. He apparently talked "foul stuff" about DeShawn in introducing the Jay-Z track. Stevenson isn't happy about that, nor LeBron James's pressing of the "feud" into personal attacks.
"He says he has a lot of swag, but I don't think that's something to do," Stevenson said about James. "This is basketball. I'm not worried about the song. I'm not worried about what he did. But for Damon Jones to get on the mic. And I heard he was saying foul stuff about me and stuff like that, they're taking it beyond basketball to me."
This might all be beyond basketball, but it's making today's Game 4 in D.C. look like even more fun.
Rap superstar Jay-Z refused to put his recording commitments on hold following his wedding to longtime beau Beyonce Knowles - he headed straight back into the studio less than 24 hours after exchanging vows. The Big Pimpin' hitmaker - real name Shawn Carter - wed Knowles in a low-key ceremony on 4 April (08), during a brief break between concert dates for his Heart of the City tour with hip-hop/soul queen Mary J. Blige. And producer Jermaine Dupri insists Jay-Z's work regime hasn't changed since marrying the Crazy In Love star - instead of enjoying some time off with his new wife, he returned to the recording booth on 5 April.He tells Usmangazine.com, "We were in the studio the day after the wedding doing a record for Usher's album. "(He's) doing great... It's the same as he always is." But Dupri admits he didn't probe his pal about how married life is treating him: "We don't talk about that kind of stuff. We talk about work." The couple is reportedly set to take their honeymoon later this year (08) at a luxury $8,000 (£4,000)-a-night hotel on the Caribbean island of Anguilla.
After secretly tying the knot, American hip-hop star Jay-Z and his wife Beyonce are getting set to make a baby announcement very soon, according to sources. The news came about through a source in LA, who made a hint that the announcement could be that the Baby Boy beauty is pregnant. “A baby would be an obvious one. But they’re saying nothing until the official announcement,” News of the World quoted a source as saying. The two had tied the knot very quietly, causing a lot of speculation as to whether the news was true. It was confirmed after they filed their signed wedding license in Scarsdale, N.Y. Beyonce and Jay-Z had applied for the license just three days before the ceremony, which was attended by friends and family, including Beyonce’s mother Tina Knowles, her father/manager Mathew, and her sister Solange.
Rapper Jay-Z is set to follow in the footsteps of wife Beyonce Knowles by appearing on the silver screen. The hip-hop star is considering a career in the film industry once his record contract comes to an end. He says, "I want to get into the movie business. I love films and that's why I feel I would do a good job. "My recording contract runs out after two more albums. Who knows what I will do after that." Knowles has appeared in hit movies Dreamgirls, The Pink Panther and Austin Powers in Goldmember.
Beyonce & Jay-Z Join the list of stars in Las Vegas!
A host of stars including newly weds Jay-Z and Beyonce Knowles turned out to see the Joe Calzaghe-Bernard Hopkins fight in Las Vegas in the early hours of the morning. Arnold Schwarzenegger also took a break from governing California to attend the light heavyweight bout at the Thomas & Mack Center. However, Welshman Calzaghe had some home celeb support from actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, with Tom Jones also performing before the main event. Whether that was what saw Joe through in his time of need is debatable – as was the result. The undefeated champion was named a split-points victor after originally being knocked by 43-year-old Hopkins down in the first round.
People Exclusive: Beyonce & Jay-z File Signed Marriage License!
Beyoncé and Jay-Z are mum, but their paperwork is doing the talking for them: The couple filed their signed wedding license Friday in Scarsdale, N.Y., PEOPLE has confirmed exclusively. Scarsdale Town Clerk Donna Conkling tells PEOPLE the license – which lists the wedding date as April 4 – was received on Friday afternoon. The couple applied for the license just three days before the ceremony attended by friends and family, including Beyoncé's mother Tina Knowles, her father/manager Mathew, her sister Solange, her Destiny's Child pals Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, and the couple's friend Gwyneth Paltrow. Although the couple's license was filed more than five days after the wedding – as required by law – Conkling tells PEOPLE it's expected to be processed with the state without a penalty. Though sources confirmed the wedding to PEOPLE, the couple have remained silent about their nuptials. Shortly after the wedding, Beyonce was spotted with a ring while joining Jay-Z on tour, but neither of them have publicly stepped out with new jewelry.
Magazines Accused of Racism over Beyonce & Jay-Z weddding
Four big celebrity mid-week magazines have been accused of racism after failing to put news of Beyonce and Jay-Z’s wedding on their cover. The accusation surfaced after Ben Widdicombe, a New York Daily News columnist noted that only Us Weekly, one of the five mid-week glossies, put the power couple’s wedding on its cover. He said one top editor blamed the lack of attention on a perception in the industry that ‘African-Americans don't sell covers.’ Only media mogul, Oprah Winfrey, was seen by many as being able to sell covers. But Us Weekly editor in chief Janice Min, the only non-white to be in charge of a top US celebrity magazine told Widdicombe: "Janet Jackson has been on our cover twice, for two of our best-selling issues we've ever had." Some sources suggested that black stars would get much less than white and latino stars for exclusive wedding photos. They said Eva Longoria can get US$1 million for wedding photos, but Beyonce could have received as little as US$250,000 for hers, without the expectation of cover sales. Last week, magazine publisher and black gossip pioneer Flo Anthony blasted such claims on Blacknews.com. "That sounds to me a very racist statement. Beyoncé is one of the biggest stars in the world, much bigger than Eva Longoria."
Glastonbury boosts Jay-Z sales