Hip-Hop Island

I Pledge Allegiance to the Diamonds in the Sky of the Roc Nation, and to the Hip-Hop for which it shines, one Culture under His Hoviness, unconquerable, with rhymes and swagger for all! The King is HOME!

Jay-Z took over New York City tonight, celebrating life and the ones this country lost in the tragic events of 9/11. Eight years later, we still stand strong as a country trying to find its way and deal with the turmoil and politics that have divided a nation. Jigga not only represents everything original about Hip-Hop, but his don't-give-a-fuck attitude is the voice of rebellion. He kicked off the night with "Empire State Of Mind" for his first love, New York City. Alicia Keys was missing, but newly signed to Roc Nation Bridget Kelly held her own harmonizing along with Jay. The sold-out crowd at MSG roared along with every verse and every hook; cheering the champion on as Jay brought on a few of his best friends. Santi rocked it on "Brooklyn Goes Hard," Kid Cudi and his skinny jeans (apparently he figured out how to make his knots fit) took over center stage on "Already Home," and just as Hov had the Blueprint laid out for the night he took us back to '90s with "Jigga What, Jigga Who," "Big Pimpin'," and "Hard Knock Life."

Always the Rocker, John Mayer surprisingly stole the show with a few guitar solos for Jigga's most popular hits. Wowing the crowd, Mayer ripped chords while Jay single handedly pronounced the Death of Autotune gearing the waves of fans to start a "Fuck T-Pain" chant. Not everyone in Hovi's Kingdom is as forgiving as He. And guess what? With all black everything: tee, jeans and sunnies -- the Power Trio: Jay, Kanye and Rihanna absolutely "Run This Town." Kanye, as expected, stole his 15-minutes with the permission of His Highness on "Can't Tell Me Nothing" and "Good Life." But it was wifey's four-minute performance of "Diva" that left the crowd wanting more of Queen Beyonce.

The producers' convention of Pharrell, Swizzy, Ye and even Diddy had their moments -- mostly awkward ones as Pharrell serenaded Jay and Diddy brought his locker room banter to the stage as he slapped Jay's booty. Hova's probably got a few words for the boys after the show... only imagine what the punishment is for disobeying the King in front of his obedient servants. Awkward moments aside, it was Jay and Mary J. Blige who brought the crowd back to '96 and then MJB killed it with "The One" leaving everyone wanting an "Encore" or two.

Through the heavy reefer smoke and bouncing crowd, there was a nationalistic unity among the audience. USA chants synced and faded to silence throughout the night. Moments of silence and never ending screaming were shared. Jay's a sarcastic hero and no one messes with his city or his country, so his final words for those "hiding in caves" and terrorizing his people, "If you're having girl problems son, I feel bad for you. I got 99 problems but a bitch ain't one!"