My ears are still ringing.  The Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles holds 4,000 but the setting felt much more exclusive/intimate for the historic event that took place tonight.  Jay-Z, supported by the Roc Boys (12-piece band complete with two drummers and a horn ensemble), DJ AM and his long time sidekick Memphis Bleek seemed to tear the venue back down shortly after its renovation.

The line for the concert wrapped around a full city block and was ~1,000 strong an hour and a half before the doors even opened.  My homie and fellow OGHH writer, CraigD hooked it up with some fast food before we got in and we chowed down right before stepping in.

The venue is classy.  It’s the type of place Frank Sinatra would have kicked off with a performance 68 years ago when the Palladium first opened its doors.  Security was lax (surprising for a hip-hop show) and there were ushers to assist guests everywhere, rocking complete cocktail garb, including bow ties.

The show kicked off around 9:45pm.  Jay-Z’s entrance was grand as usual, stepping onto stage with classic 30s gangster imagery flashing on the mega-screen.  “Say hello, to the bad guy; they say I’m a bad guy…” started his ~2 hour set.  The set list jumped from his newest tracks (“Swagger Like Us,” “Jockin’ Jay-Z”) to his Reasonable Doubt days.

Jay-Z walked out to “Say Hello” off of American Gangster, the backdrop was sick and as always, the entrance was grand

Jay-Z performs “Can I Live” off of he classic album Reasonable Doubt (click link for a video documentary on Reasonable Doubt)

The crowd rapped alongside Jay on most tracks completing the call and response Jay set up on many of his songs, setting up the alley-oop and letting the crowd throw it down.  “Push.  Money over broads, you got it, [f--- Bush]!”  Sidekicks and iPhones lit up the audience representing the fans’ desire to etch the moment in their minds with low-quality flicks and video footage.

One of my favorite moments was “Minority Report” performed acapella

“Swagger Like Us” pushed the crowd towards absolute hysteria.  “You can learn how to dress just by checkin my fresh, checking checking my fresh…” ending the song with “Hovaaaaa! Dipping different Rovers whipping with the soda.  Hovaaaaa!  Could you even have any doubt after doubt if it’s over…”  During the hook, Jay commanded the crowd to “Bounce!” and introduced his special guest, T.I. who came out to rep his verse.

“Swagger Like Us” had the entire crowd going bananas

More “Swagger Like Us” but this time with T.I. and poorer quality (sorry!)

Jay-Z also made it a point to introduce DJ AM after performing “Show Me What You Got” off of Kingdom Come.  Jay allowed the drums to roll during the hooks and the Roc Boys threw in an incredible drum solo to accompany the Just Blaze production.  “Make some noise for DJ AM tonight!” Jay said, then proceeded to pay respects to the other crash victims.

According to E!, celebrity sightings included Nicky Hilton, and “Among the other attendees.., Ellen Pompeo, Donald Faison, the Wayans Brothers, Cheech & Chong and Tyrese (read more).”

Jay-Z performs “A Billi”

Jay-Z performs “99 Problems” off of The Black Album

Jay-Z and Memphis Bleek rockin’ out “U Don’t Know” (this song was hype as hell!)

**Update**

Jay-Z Hollywood Palladium Set List (via therapup)

1. “Say Hello” / “Hello Brooklyn”
2. “U Don’t Know” featuring Memphis Bleek
3. “Roc Boys (And the Winner Is…)”
4. “Pray”
5. “Lucifer”
6. “Can I Live”
7. “Blue Magic”
8. “Minority Report”
9. “Public Service Announcement”
10. “Swagga Like Us” featuring T.I.
11. “Jigga My Nigga”
12. “Jigga What, Jigga Who”
13. “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)”
14. “Can I Get A…”
15. “I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)”
16. “Show Me What You Got”
17. “I Know”
18. “Excuse Me Miss”
19. “Song Cry”
20. “Is That Yo Chick?”
21. “Dirt Off Your Shoulder”
22. “A Billi”
23. “Jockin’ Jay-Z”
24. Medley with DJ AM
25. “Big Pimpin’”
26. “Hard Knock Life”
27. “Encore”