Jigga & MJB: Part 2

So, Mr. Jigga........ My Nigga!!!

I've been a little on the fence on my love & appreciation for Jigga. Until Blueprint, I definitely wasn't a believer. Like relationships, you have to invest in artists & allow them to grow; or allow yourself to grow......... I didn't do any of those things for HOV. The Black Album dropped, I didn't cop it........ still don't have it, thought it's definitely at the top of my must-have list, now. Kingdom Come dropped, & I copped, b/c the hype that surrounded it was ridiculous, & unfortunately, I was reminded of why I didn't invest in Jigga in the 1st place........ so, other than "Lost Ones," I couldn't name another song on that album............ However, "America Gangster" dropped, I copped it, & was changed forever.............. my soul rejoiced when I heard that album......... I texted my friend, a die-hard J fan, & told her, "I have to see this man in concert!" Low & behold, less than a week later, it was announced that he'd be in Houston. I wasted no time copping pre-sale tickets.

So, night of the concert................ post- the illustrious MJB performance....... I texted my "die-hard" friend, also in attendance, & told her that J had a hard act to follow............ I questioned his ability to outshine, let alone compete, with Lady J. So, J enters on "Bad Guy." When I say that I jam this shit in my ride like I'm a weed-smokin' thug........... I mean it!!! I love that damn song; that's my "Fuck You" song!!!! So, my adrenaline was on high, to say the least. J lulled me on his next couple joints, but the rest of the audience definitely felt his rhythm. He performed his bars from "Upgrade You" & of course everyone expected the newly-named Mrs. Sean Carter to take the stage............. didn't happen!! J dropped several of his most popular songs, & unfortunately, the band drowned him out on most of them........... Btw, the band was absolutely fabulous......... Hip-hop & live music......... I was in heaven............ but, couldn't help from wanting more from J. So, while waiting on J, I kept my eyes on the drummer....... could've watched that baby all night. Btw, I'm a sucka for a good drummer!! But, the heavy bass lines in most of J's joints were perfect for the drums. Somewhere along the way, I returned to earth & realized that J was definitely not from the new school, but that he was an old head; & even under a multi-million dollar contract, he was not going to yell & jump across the damn stage. That's when I took notice to the "Jigga swag." He relaxed & gave his bars like he owned the shit...... as he damn-well should!!

"Can I Live," changed the pace. The band cut it up........ seduced us...... Memphis Bleek made a cameo as J's hype man........ Followed by "U Don't Know" and "99 Problems"........... the band continued to kill it; mixed it up, and flowed into some heavy rock shit reminding me of Run DMC, as the crowd submerged deeper into the "Jay-Z experience". Then came a slow & seductive sound from the saxophones and horns, reminding me of Kenny G; what was it................ "Song Cry" who was on the hook.......... MJB!!!! Amazing!!!! MJB segued to "Take Me as I Am," while J took 5. J reappeared looking grown & sexy in a velour unit with some Tim's. He gave us "Pray," as the band continued to mix it up & threw in a little Al Green......... mixed it up, again; slow then heavy....... then came "Jigga What, Jigga Who." J sped up his flow while the band perfected the static beat....... priceless. I guess J was really feeling himself & wanted to hear his name because then came "Jigga, My Nigga"....... He dug into his bars as the crowd sang the hook. He then gave us "Izo" and "Can I Get A." I watched him ease across the stage as the band banged it out; he remained mellow............ loved it!! Like a regular hip-hop head, he bobbed his head, feeling the bass line, like I was.

The songs kept coming, & all I could think was, "Shit, I wish I could freeze this moment!" But, I guess that's why I have this blog, right?! It was real hip-hop & real music..... musicians.......... I was chillin'......... Maybe I was a weed-head in another life b/c I swear I could've rolled a j, & sipped some Hen' & Coke as I listened......... I didn't need to jump & get hype....... I could chill....... I could stay there all night as J seduced me with his bars.

I came out of the cloud in my head to find a big ass picture of Bush on the teleprompter......... "WTF," is what I was thinking! Following Bush's picture were several snapshots of Katrina victims & the horror that transpired that day........ silence in the building.......... & J began to spit about the tragedy, recounting how Bush fucked them. & then at the end of it, a big ass picture of Obama....... unbelievable!!! & J kept saying, "Change," as the crowd went crazy. My level of respect for J increased, not because he supports Obama, but because he took the time out to educate and encourage........ I bet that shit ain't included in his contract!

So, J got a little silly on us........ joined the dj & ran thru tracks from some of his other classics..... teasing the crowd. Ran thru about 15 tracks, and finally decided on the one he wanted.......... had us count down.............. & the winner was.................. "Big Pimpin" Btw, I swear I'd never known the entire hook before this concert!!! But, guess what........... Bun B comes out to do his bars...... crowd went ballistic!!! Bun held the stage a little longer as he performed "Pocket Full of Stones." J gave Bun the stage as he jammed like he was listening to that shit in his ride.......... loved it, felt it!! I didn't want to get trampled by the crowd, so I departed at the end of "Encore".......... one of my favorites; & Mary's too, if I remember correctly.

So, all....... I am a Jay-Z believer. The nigga is the truth. There are some, but few, better........ but, it can't be denied that he is one of the best, period.