June 18th 2024.
Criticism has been pouring in for Jay-Z's recent performance at Tom Brady's Hall of Fame ceremony. Many have accused the billionaire hip-hop mogul of "selling out" after he took the stage at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on June 12th. Billboard reported that Jay-Z opened up the Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony with his classic hit "PSA," a song that Brady used to walk out to during pre-games with the New England Patriots.
As expected, Jay-Z's appearance came with a hefty price tag, as the Roc Nation founder is known for being selective with his performances. However, the backlash was swift once a clip of the performance made its rounds on social media. While some were amazed at the rare live show, others were more focused on the lackluster response from the crowd towards the legendary rapper.
One fan wrote, "That check must've been good, cause Jay don't perform." Another sarcastically commented, "Jay Z in 2024... The way nobody cared." Some viewers even went as far as to criticize the predominantly white crowd for not showing more enthusiasm for Jay-Z's performance, with one person saying, "The crowd just wanted Jay to entertain them in the background while they attended to business."
Former NFL player Antonio Brown also joined in on the criticism, reposting someone else's tweet that called out Jay-Z for performing for Brady but not at any of last year's Hip-Hop 50 events. "Jay didn't perform at any Hip Hop 50 concerts last year where the fans would've known every word to his songs, but he makes time to get ignored by rich folks smh," Brown wrote.
While some pointed out that Brown was simply copying someone else's tweet, others agreed with his sentiments. "A true house ni**a. Jay Z would tap dance with blackface on if they told him to," one critic wrote. Another added, "Jay sold out years ago!! He loves bending over for the rich white folks."
Some even shared throwback photos of Jay-Z and Brady, claiming that "birds of a feather flock together." Despite the backlash, it's no secret that the two have been friends for years, often attending events together hosted by mutual friend and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin. In fact, the pair were even tapped to speak to NFL rookies in May about navigating their newfound fame after being drafted.
Most recently, Jay-Z took the stage with Alicia Keys at the 2024 Tony Awards to perform their classic hit "Empire State of Mind." While it's not often that he graces the stage, when he does, he ensures that it's a memorable performance. There has been no confirmation on whether he was invited to perform at any Hip-Hop 50 events, but it's been reported that he declined the offer.
In other news, Roc Nation has recently launched a $300 million scholarship initiative for underprivileged students. As the NFL's music entertainment strategist, Jay-Z continues to make an impact both on and off the stage. Despite the criticism, there's no denying that he remains a powerful force in the music industry.
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