JAŸ-Z is celebrating 30 years of his career with a series of concerts at New York’s Yankee Stadium. Perhaps only he has the power to get two of the most powerful artists in the music industry to make stellar appearances in his shows: Beyoncé and Rihanna have paraded on different dates to support the rapper and music mogul in this return to the stage.
Rihanna’s case is, without a doubt, the most striking. The singer remains practically retired from the stage and had only made one exception until now: the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show. She then explained that she accepted the challenge because she did not know if she would have a similar opportunity again.
Her reappearance this July 12, with JAŸ-Z, has been brief, but it makes perfect sense if we remember that the Barbadian is still linked to Roc Nation, the company founded by the rapper. Dressed completely in black and wearing sunglasses, Rihanna has performed ‘Run This Town’ with JAŸ-Z – with plenty of pre-recorded support – and then ‘Bitch Better Have My Money’. There she did seem somewhat “rusty” vocally, something that she herself has recognized, according to various media sources.
But Rihanna was not the only guest that night whose start was delayed up to four hours for security reasons. Beyoncé also appeared on Sunday to perform a medley of ‘Drunk in Love’, ‘Tom Ford’ and ‘Partition’ with her husband. In reality, JAŸ-Z’s tour has featured other luxury guests such as Nas, Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys and even Eminem. Beyoncé’s presence has been especially notable, since she had also surprised the public on July 10, when she appeared from the first song of the concert to perform ‘Can’t Knock the Hustle’ and sing a fragment of ‘Love on Top’. We’d swear there were a generous amount of pre-recorded ones too, but don’t tell the BeyHive.
Everything stays at home, by the way. Blue Ivy, Beyoncé and JAŸ-Z’s eldest daughter, also made a cameo during the July 10 concert to perform ‘Feelin’ It’ on the piano.
And, if you’re wondering why Jay-Z now calls himself JAŸ-Z, the rapper has recovered the umlaut over the “Y” as a nod to the stage name he used at the beginning of his career, around the time of ‘Reasonable Doubt’ (1996).
@culted Jay-Z & Rihanna perform “Run This Town” in NYC ‼️ 📹 : @Roc Nation #rihanna #jayz #rihannatour #jayztour #yankeesstadium ♬ original sound – CULTED
@rndm0751 Rihanna performing “B*tch Better Have My Money” at Jay Z’s concert tonight #rihanna #jayz #music #fyp #viral ♬ original sound – rndm0751
@beyoonceeeee Beyoncé performing with JAY-Z!! #beyonce #yankeesstadium #ny #Newyork @Beyoncé @Parkwood Entertainment ♬ original sound – Beyoncé (Fan Account)
@entertainmenttonight Blue Ivy and Beyoncé surprised the audience at Jay-Z’s first 30th anniversary concert in New York 🥹 #blueivy #beyonce #jayz ♬ original sound – Entertainment Tonight
@billboard Beyoncé and Jay-Z bring “Drunk In Love” to the stage to cap off the legendary rapper’s three-night takeover at Yankee Stadium 🎤✨🎶 #jayz #beyonce #drunkinlove #yankeestadium #concerts ♬ original sound – billboard
