Jay-Z: Dallas, TX American Airlines Center BP-3 2010 Tour Concert Recap

As reported by Mario Tarradell at the Dallas Morning News

Jay-Z commands a stage. The influential rapper performed for 12,000 fans Tuesday (February 23) night at American Airlines Center, bringing with him a full band including a horn section, percussionist and DJ.

A skyscraper-like light display at the back of the stage immediately looked like the New York skyline, a nod to his hometown, of course. A variety of images were projected throughout the two-hour show, making it all the more striking.

Jay-Z had the lower platform to himself and he filled it up robustly. He's tall, imposing, an intense presence. His rapping flow is fast but clear. He doesn't chew his words. There's an engulfing quality to his music, from the thunderous beats to the rhymes, which have messiah-like potency.

Disciples are more than understandable. The crowd was with him from the onset, even with bill-sharer Young Jeezy's 25-minute set sandwiched between Jay-Z's stage time. Assisting Jay-Z was perennial sideman Memphis Bleek. Singer Bridget Kelly offered the Alicia Keys chorus on "Empire State of Mind," a definite highlight that arrived early in the gig. R&B vocalist Trey Songz was the opening act.

Jay-Z pulled out many cuts from The Blueprint 3 such as "Run This Town," "On To the Next One" and "Already Home." Otherwise he focused on fan favorites – "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)," "Big Pimpin' " and "Dirt Off Your Shoulder," to name a few.

Before he left the stage, Jay-Z seemed genuine when he thanked the crowd. He acknowledged specific sections of the arena, even having the house lights turned on so he could see his fans better.

"I am so overwhelmed," he said. "I appreciate all of you. I appreciate your love."

Photos:
Dallas Morning News

more fan shot footage below.







(video courtesy of mundoecko817)

Jay-Z's BP3 2010 Tour dates:

Feb 25 New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Arena
Feb 27 Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena
Feb 28 Greensboro, NC - Greensboro Coliseum Complex
Mar 02 New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
Mar 03 Washington, DC - Verizon Center
Mar 05 Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun
Mar 06 East Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center
Mar 07 Norfolk, VA - Scope Arena
Mar 11 Boston, MA - TD Garden
Mar 12 Uniondale, NY - Nassau Coliseum
Mar 14 Detroit, MI - The Palace of Auburn Hills
Mar 16 Pittsburgh, PA - Mellon Arena
Mar 18 Chicago, IL - United Center
Mar 19 St. Louis, MO - Scottrade Center
Mar 20 Indianapolis, IN - Conseco Fieldhouse
Mar 22 Denver, CO - Pepsi Center
Mar 24 San Jose, CA - HP Pavilion
Mar 26 Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center