Entertainment

Jay-Z 4:44 Tour More Than Hip Hop

Published

8 years ago

December 17, 2017

Oakland, CA – Jay-Z brought his 4:44 Tour through Oakland tonight and just like his past performances, he was simply outstanding. The icon, he stands alone commanding the crowd, needs no backup dancers or background singers. Just a mic and a band.

The stage was unlike any other, four huge video screens that come down from the ceiling and hang tilted in mid-air also connect into two screens that captured past and current music videos. Jay-Z doesn’t have to worry about anyone not being able to fully enjoy his concert.

The show began with “Kill Jay-Z”, No Church in the Wild” and “Lucifer”. The sellout crowd knew all the lyrics, but it was the intro to “Jigga My Ni**a” that brought the house down, an oldie but goodie followed by “Izzo (H.O.V.A)”.

Not many Hip Hop artists tell a story, over Jay-Z’s career he rose from the projects to stardom and each album told that part of his story. “On To The Next One”, Public Service Announcement” and “99 Problems” these lyrics came across the video screens:

“License and registration and step out of the car
“Are you carrying a weapon on you, I know a lot of you are”
I ain’t stepping out of shit, all my papers legit
“Well do you mind if I look around the car a little bit?”
Well my glove compartment is locked, so is the trunk and the back
And I know my rights so you goin’ need a warrant for that
“Aren’t you sharp as a tack? You some type of lawyer or something?
“Somebody important or something?”
Child, I ain’t passed the bar, but I know a little bit
Enough that you won’t illegally search my shit

In today’s world social media has captured many situations that have left our country divided on social issues. However, many of those in the black community have been dealing with the injustice of law enforcement for a long time. It was reintroduced and now we all are taking a stand.

“It’s not about disrespecting the flag, its about injustice. We should all be effected by what’s going on in the world today!”

Jay-Z throughout his performance touched on political issues involving police brutality, the civil rights movement and mental illness. he dedicated the “The Story of O.J.” to Dick Gregory and Muhammad Ali. That message along with good music separates Sean Carter from the rest.

But what’s a concert without some of his favorite hits, Jay-Z said referred to “Allure” off the Black Album as being his favorite joint. And despite the ongoing feud with Kanye West, Jay-Z couldn’t leave off one of their greatest hits, “Niggas In Paris” while featuring a few clips from their hit video “Otis” on the video screen.

To close Jay-Z did the New York anthem, “Empire State of Mind” but before that he played E40’s “Hyphy” just to let the fans know, he enjoys Oakland music. His last message was the best one to end the show:

“Believe in yourself, keep yourself around positive people. Love always trumps hate!”

And with that “Hard Knock Life”, another one of his hits which was probably the most jubilant performance. The message, anyone on earth facing hard times, can overcome with focus, determination and dedication. His story is motivating to so many.

Jay-Z ended the set with the song “Smile” dedicated to his own mother on his 4:44 album. Then “Numb/Encore” was dedicated to his late friend and artist Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington who committed suicide. He stated mental illness is a issue and always check on your friends and family at all times.

His ability further educate through music is the new generation of Hip Hop. Jay-Z cover over 25 songs in two hours and while doing so delivered powerful messages throughout his performance. The 4:44 Tour is more than Hip Hop, it’s a look into the future of Hip Hop.

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Activism

OP-ED: AB 1349 Puts Corporate Power Over Community

Since Ticketmaster and Live Nation merged in 2010, ticket prices have jumped more than 150 percent. Activities that once fit a family’s budget now take significant disposable income that most working families simply don’t have. The problem is compounded by a system that has tilted access toward the wealthy and white-collar workers. If you have a fancy credit card, you get “presale access,” and if you work in an office instead of a warehouse, you might be able to wait in an online queue to buy a ticket. Access now means privilege.

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

Oakland Post

Bishop Joseph Simmons, Senior Pastor, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, Oakland

By Bishop Joseph Simmons, Senior Pastor, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, Oakland

As a pastor, I believe in the power that a sense of community can have on improving people’s lives. Live events are one of the few places where people from different backgrounds and ages can share the same space and experience – where construction workers sit next to lawyers at a concert, and teenagers enjoy a basketball game with their grandparents. Yet, over the past decade, I’ve witnessed these experiences – the concerts, games, and cultural events where we gather – become increasingly unaffordable, and it is a shame.

These moments of connection matter as they form part of the fabric that holds communities together. But that fabric is fraying because of Ticketmaster/Live Nation’s unchecked control over access to live events. Unfortunately, AB 1349 would only further entrench their corporate power over our spaces.

Power over live events is concentrated in a single corporate entity, and this regime operates without transparency or accountability – much like a dictator. Ticketmaster controls 80 percent of first-sale tickets and nearly a third of resale tickets, but they still want more. More power, more control for Ticketmaster means higher prices and less access for consumers. It’s the agenda they are pushing nationally, with the help of former Trump political operatives, who are quietly trying to undo the antitrust lawsuit launched against Ticketmaster/Live Nation under President Biden’s DOJ.

That’s why I’m deeply concerned about AB 1349 in its current form. Rather than reining in Ticketmaster’s power, the bill risks strengthening it, aligning with Trump. AB 1349 gives Ticketmaster the ability to control a consumer’s ticket forever by granting Ticketmaster’s regime new powers in state law to prevent consumers from reselling or giving away their tickets. It also creates new pathways for Ticketmaster to discriminate and retaliate against consumers who choose to shop around for the best service and fees on resale platforms that aren’t yet controlled by Ticketmaster. These provisions are anti-consumer and anti-democratic.

California has an opportunity to stand with consumers, to demand transparency, and to restore genuine competition in this industry. But that requires legislation developed with input from the community and faith leaders, not proposals backed by the very company causing the harm.

Will our laws reflect fairness, inclusion, and accountability? Or will we let corporate interests tighten their grip on spaces that should belong to everyone? I, for one, support the former and encourage the California Legislature to reject AB 1349 outright or amend it to remove any provisions that expand Ticketmaster’s control. I also urge community members to contact their representatives and advocate for accessible, inclusive live events for all Californians. Let’s work together to ensure these gathering spaces remain open and welcoming to everyone, regardless of income or background.