Jay-Z halted his show at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to pay a birthday tribute to his wife Beyonce, serenading her as he returned to the London stage for the first time in almost a decade.
The hit-filled show featured surprise appearances from the hip-hop group Fugees, actor Idris Elba, UK rapper Giggs and DJ Khaled.
Birthday celebration for Beyonce
US rapper Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, led the crowd in a rendition of Happy Birthday as the Single Ladies star waved and blew kisses from the crowd while fireworks exploded overhead. Beyonce could also be seen energetically dancing along to her husband's set on her 45th birthday.
Surprise guest appearances
Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean of US hip hop group Fugees performed a trio of their biggest hits – Ready Or Not, Killing Me Softly and Fu-Gee-La – at the show. The group have not released a studio album since The Score in 1996, which is 30 years old this year.
Addressing the crowd, Jay-Z said: “They (Fugees) took me out on my first European tour, opening up for them.” Turning to the duo, he added: “Thank you, I appreciate you. I’m forever a fan.”
Special significance of London show
Opening the show, the rapper said how important it was for him to play in the capital, saying: “This place holds a special significance in my career, so tonight I want to turn it all the way up.”
His set included smash hits 99 Problems, Dirt Off My Shoulder, Run This Town, Empire State Of Mind and No Church In The Wild. He also performed songs such as Girls, Girls, Girls, Izzo (HOVA), Paris and Numb/Encore.
The show also featured cameos from Luther star Elba and rapper DJ Khaled and he was joined on stage by grime star Giggs for a rendition of Talkin’ Da Hardest.
First UK solo show in nearly a decade
The gig marks Jay-Z's first solo show in the UK in almost a decade. He last performed nearly 10 years ago for the 4:44 tour in 2017, when he headlined V Festival.
His current JAY-Z30 show marks three decades of music and 30 years since the rapper released his debut album Reasonable Doubt – and 25 years since his sixth studio album, The Blueprint. He will return to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a second show on September 5.
