Concerts and movies have a tendency to let people down when expectations get too high.
But Jay Z did not disappoint fans in New Orleans on Thursday when expectations were high for a top-notch show from the “best rapper alive.”
Hova rose through the floor and rocked the New Orleans Arena with a 10-piece live band and guest acts Young Jeezy and Trey Songz — and kept the audience involved all the way.
His two sets focused most on his latest album “The Blueprint 3,” but his songs still managed to span his 14-year recording career as he roamed the stage in front of giant screens.
He used a mixture of full songs and smoothly transitioning medleys to hit all his major singles and other crowd-pleasers.
And the 40-year-old rapper, one of the biggest names in modern music, managed to make every bit of it feel personal — even for patrons in the upper decks completely across the arena.
Jay Z kept conversation going with his fans between songs and got them involved with calls for hand-motions, chants and moments of respect for the deceased of the rap world.
Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur and Pimp C were all honored during Jay Z’s two sets and the Jeezy set that divided them without any letdown.
Each rapper referenced Super Bowl champions New Orleans Saints with his own “Who Dat.” And Jay Z played up to his venue with an urge to Lil Wayne to keep his head up and a Katrina-themed “Minority Report.”
Near the end of his show, Jay Z stressed his thanks to each fan in attendance and actually took the time to point out specific individuals, get their attention by their descriptions and give them his regards.
And he eventually called one young woman onstage to help him sing “Song Cry,” a love song from his 2001 “The Blueprint” — one of rap’s greatest albums.
Whatever the tactics at each given turn, Jay Z managed to maintain a personal feel despite the full-fledged circus atmosphere associated with a performance of that magnitude.
The concert was an event from the “roc.pop.shop.” trailers outside selling his Rocawear merchandise to the men and women dressed to impress, bustling around anxiously and enjoying everything Jay Z had to offer until he descended into the same arena floor from which he had risen.
Contact Jerit Roser at [email protected]