Shows like this one really make me miss New York (especially since this one went down about 4 blocks from my old place). As much as I’m disappointed by the Blueprint 3 album, I can’t help but continue to be impressed by Jay-Z’s live show. I haven’t seen him live since the tour he did around the time In My Lifetime Vol.2 was released, but his set has just gotten stronger over the years.

His live show really demonstrates how vital Jay’s music really is to the hip-hop community. He can basically throw his song catalog in a bag then pick songs out randomly and it’s pretty much guaranteed 75% of the people in the audience will be screaming every line of the song. The guy is a true legend in every sense of the word.

Shout out to PowerPlayed on the Footage

My good friend and the godfather of Gangsta Rap, Ron Spaulding, was twittering from this show on Tuesday night and I could tell by his excitement in his posts that something remarkable was going on.

This is just something that’s great to see. Jeff Beck, an amazing guitar player, and Rod Stewart, an amazing vocalist, hadn’t shared the stage together in 25 years after a long history of collaboration and playing in the same group. They couldn’t have executed this reunion in a more surprising fashion.

Watch Beck’s reaction when Stewart starts belting out the vocals to “People Get Ready”. It’s priceless. You can tell he had no clue Stewart was even in the house and stares in disbelief for a few moments. They go on without missing a beat and pulled off a great impromptu set by following up with “I Ain’t Superstitious”, which was recorded 41 years ago! How’s that for longevity?

This is what I love about music. When there are no gimmicks, no theatrics–just undeniable talent. Hip-Hop can learn a lot from these guys.

I was on Facebook last week and put Joe Budden on my list for top 5 favorite MCs for one of those Living Social surveys. I knew I was going to get called out on that pick, but I was ready to defend it by specifically citing “Dumb Out” as the best mixtape track of all time. Any MC that can keep me captivated with every bar for over 7 minutes (or 15 on WHO), is top 5 in my book.

I saw Joe perform “Dumb Out” live a few years back at an Allhiphop Week event and have the same gripe with this performance; he doesn’t have the breath control to rock the entire track over a beat. I’m not knocking the dude because it’s a long track, has no hook and he doesn’t use a hype man. I just wish he could do it.

Try the patch Joey! It works!

Regardless, both of these videos are hot and “Dumb Out” is such a lyrical masterpiece that it sounds great acapella.

Hit the jump for Part 2

Props to Nah Right and OKP

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This is my first impression of Nyle. I’m impressed!

Let the Beat Build is by far my favorite track from Lil Wayne’s Carter III album and anyone that can get a hot selection of studio musicians to recreate it is getting props from me!

Nyle “Let The Beat Build” from Nyle on Vimeo.

Props to Nah Right as always for the introduction!

I LOVE IT! Kind of catchy too…

Found on hypebot