July 1, 2008

Jay-Z jumped to defend pal Kanye West after Amy Winehouse’s wacky performance at the Glastonberry Festival in London where she called the “Stronger” singer a c—t. Amy improvised the lyrics of her song “Some Unholy War” to say, “At least I’m not opening for a c–t like Kanye.” It’s moments like these that make live performances so fabulous!
Jay-Z told MTV,
“I don’t agree with it. [Kanye’s] my brother and the biggest artist on Roc-A-Fella right now. … I guess I should hook them up, because he’s a great guy, too. I don’t know what the problem is. I don’t know where that came from.”
Of course, never one to let others steal the spotlight, the Jiggaman participated in his own musical feud with Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher, by performing his own rendition of Oasis’ “Wonderwall” complete with a guitar strapped to his shoulder. Gallagher had criticized Jay as headliner of the traditionally rock-based festival, telling the BBC,
“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. I’m sorry, but Jay-Z? No chance. Glastonbury has a tradition of guitar music. I’m not having hip-hop at Glastonbury. It’s wrong.”
Jay told MTV Base of his on-stage response,
“I have a sense of humor like a Brit, so I thought people would appreciate that. Noel Gallagher was one of the biggest detractors, so I figured that was a cool way to start the show.”
Celebrities using the media to blast each other is so out; on-stage disses are the new way to play the celebrity feud game.
April 9, 2008

First Mary J. let the cat out of the bag, now Jay and Bey’s florist is talking: UsWeekly’s latest cover story features a lengthy story on the first couple of hip-hop’s wedding. According to florist Amy Vongpitaka (who probably won’t be hired for any future celeb weddings after opening her big mouth), Mr. and Mrs. Z had an almost six-foot wedding cake, 750 pounds of flowers, and an intimate guest list at their 9,000 square foot apartment. While the couple have refused to confirm or deny their marriage, Beyonce did keep her ring finger covered on Tuesday when the singer stepped out in Manhattan.
October 25, 2007

“This is what would have happened if I hadn’t become Jay-Z,” said the president of Def Jam Records last night at the taping of our latest Storytellers show. “This is Shawn Carter’s story.” And with that, the veteran MC launched into eight tracks from his upcoming American Gangsta (inspired by the new Denzel Washington movie, but you know that). With a full horn section, a DJ, and his girl Beyonce in the audience singing along to nearly every song, Jigga rocked the new studios that populate the Brooklyn Navy Yards - just a few blocks from his dope-slinging beginnings at the Marcy Projects. Imploring the crowd to “make a party out of it,” Jay tore into the stomping “Pray,” and ended with the already-leaked bonus track “Blue Magic” (hear it legally on Rhapsody). To find out what’s in between, you’ll have to tune in on November 8th.
Check out another shot of Jay at last night’s show after the jump. There’s also a RZA interview about the new movie.
[Images: Jason Kempin/FilmMagic/VH1]
Read the rest of this entry »
October 3, 2007

Now that he’s left the Old MCs Home, Jay-Z is releasing an entire album of songs inspired by the upcoming film American Gangster, starring Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington, as well as T.I., Common and RZA. Though none of the songs on the forthcoming release appear on the soundtrack for the film, a trailer for the November 2nd movie features Jay’s “Heart of the City” from his 2001 release The Blueprint. The first single, “Blue Magic,” leaked last month. The album also features a remix of 50’s “I Get Money,” which we imagine Jay knows something about.
1. “Amen”
2. “Blue Magic”
3. “Untitled”
4. “Alright, Alright”
5. “You Don’t Know”
6. “And The Winner Is”
7. “American Gangster”
8. “Welcome”
9. “Ignorant Shit”
10. “The Demise”
11. “I Get Money (Remix)”
Also airing tonight is the network premiere of Jay’s concert film Fade to Black tonight at 9pm. Catch the hometown boy make good at his 2003 performance at Madison Square Garden.