From the moment we reported about Jay-Z‘s historic concert at Carnegie Hall, we knew it would be special.
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The 42-year-old rapper brought the house down Monday night at the legendary concert hall in New York City as the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the venue. Proceeds from the show will benefit United Way of New York City and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.
Starting the show in a classic black-and-white tuxedo, Jay-Z opened with undeniably one of his strongest hits “PSA,” followed by more of his classics (“Heart of the City,” “U Don’t Know”) that would make any die-hard fan go nuts.
He was joined on stage by Alicia Keys to perform their super ode to New York, “Empire State of Mind,” as well as Nas, Bridget Kelly, a band including Questlove of The Roots and singer Bilal and a 36-piece, woman-led orchestra.
The night hit an emotional peak with the proud papa’s performance of “Glory,” dedicated to his 1-month-old daughter, Blue Ivy Carter.
“I didn’t think I was going to make it through that one,” he said. “That was tough.”
The juxtaposition of nearly 2,800 conservatively dressed men and women rocking out to the gritty sounds of hip-hop inside Carnegie Hall made for a magical moment.
And that was only the beginning; Jay-Z will hit the stage again Tuesday night for part two of his benefit concert.
Jay-Z continued the party at his 40/40 club, where wife Beyonce made her first post-pregnancy appearance.
Check out the night’s best pictures and a clip of Jay-Z performing “Glory!”
(Getty Images)