Beyonce '4' Artwork Appears Online

Beyonce is set to once again reign the charts, concert stages and the world. June 28th is the date for '4' on Columbia Records.

Beyonce Splits With Father Manager Mathew Knowles

Begs the question, Will Beyonce go to hubby Jay-Z's Roc Nation management stable which includes Rihanna, Melanie Fiona, Wale, The Ting Tings and most recently with Brooklyn music artist Santigold?

Back in February at the 17th Annual Living Legends Gala function in NYC, Mathew Knowles was seen with and showcasing Tiffany Evans the young starlet who has been signed to Mathew's Music World label in partnership with Columbia Records. Was Mr. Knowles beginning to get the cold shoulder from Beyonce back then? We can only wonder.

(source - AP)

Jay-Z Coachella 2010 Concert Set Video Recap

Jay-Z at last week's Coachella appearance, with fireworks at the end included.

Related:
Jay-Z Live At Coachella Day 1 Concert Recap

(video courtesy of Mashfest)

Jay-Z Live At Coachella Day 1 Concert Recap

(photo courtesy of Rodrigo Peña / Riverside Press Enterprise)

Show recap via the Desert Sun

Jay-Z closed out the Coachella festivities Friday night (April 16) to massive crowd of cheering fans.

“Dude, it’s Jay-Z; he practically owns hip hop,” said Jennifer Boehmke, 33, of Santa Monica while she anxiously waited for the rapper to hit the stage.

The Grammy-award winning artist opened his set by rising from the stage floor around 11.10 p.m. with smash hit “Run this Town,” from his eleventh studio album “The Blueprint 3.”

Songs that followed include the enormously popular single “Empire State of Mind,” in addition to “Big Pimpin’,” “99 Problems,” and “Izzo (H.O.V.A.).”

A short video clip featuring President Obama played before Jay-Z launched the song “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” roughly midway through his set.

Leading up to the festival, rumors suggested rapper Dr. Dre, would perform with Jay-Z, but the former N.W.A. member was nowhere to be seen. Dre’s unreleased single off his highly anticipated album “Detox” features the Coachella headliner.



Around 12:30 a.m., after several minutes of shout outs to the crowd, Jay-Z’s equally famous wife, R&B artist Beyonce Knowles joined him on stage for the ballad “Forever Young,” also from “The Blueprint 3.”

Jay Z completed his set around 12:45 a.m. with the song “Encore” while the crowd danced and shouted along with the music.

Photo links here:
Riverside Press Enterprise
Wire Image
Film Magic
Getty Images
Rex Features
WENN Photo

more video below.

Jay-Z: Day 1 Friday Coachella L.A. Times Report

Above, Jay-Z and musician Ira Tuton of Yeasayer backstage during Day 1 of the Coachella Valley Music & Art Festival 2010 held at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2010 in Indio, California.

Is it not enough to land one of the richest deals in pop music history, marry into R&B/pop royalty and score 11 No. 1 albums? Jay-Z has done all that plus shattered the glass ceiling for straight-up hip-hop acts playing the mainstage at Coachella (respect to the Beastie Boys).

The Times’ chief pop critic Ann Powers may have put it best when she noted that Jay-Z is “taking strong steps to adjust his place in history from the ‘great’ category to the ‘legendary.’ ”

Just a couple of hours before he's due to go on, it's worth considering.

But to hear it from Hovi Baby, who turned 40 in December, he’s hardly content to slide by on past glories. With the same icy professionalism that has defined his most notable career moves -- investing in the successful chain of 40/40 Club sports bars, taking on part ownership of the New Jersey Nets basketball team -- Jay-Z has surveyed the marketplace and run a diagnostic on his biggest liabilities.

And the man who anointed himself “the greatest rapper alive” cops to a surprising level of insecurity as he slides toward middle age.

“I have the biggest challenge of them all, I believe,” Jay told The Times last month at the New York offices of his clothing label Rocawear. “Hip-hop in its 32-whatever years has always been viewed as a young man’s game. Hip-hop has always been about the gift of discovery. What’s new? Yeah, I know Jay-Z. That’s ain’t even cool to say he’s good anymore. It’s cool to say MC Nobody and put that on my iPod.”

“Hip-hop is all about ‘You doing this? I’m doing that’ -- the individualism it gave you," he continued. “People are like, ‘Oh, that’s fresh!’ Fresh: the biggest word in hip-hop.”

In an age of fad dances and auto-tune-dominated gimmick-raps, when popularity is judged by ring-tone download ubiquity as much as radio play, Jay-Z feels a strong sense of obligation to hip-hop culture -- instead of to his ego, his concert promoter Live Nation or the bottom line -- to continue coming correct.

“So my challenge is to expand,” he said. “To grow hip-hop and the genre. My job, Eminem’s job, everyone who’s been performing for more than a year, our job is to push this thing forward and find some kind of truth in where we are now. It has to be about something. Truth, emotion, growth. In order for us to survive as a legitimate genre of music, we have to stretch out.” (source)

Check out Beyonce & Jay-Z hanging out backstage at today's Coachella Festival.
Photos links:
Getty Image - Jay-Z
Getty Images - Beyonce
Wire Image - Jay-Z
Wire Image - Beyonce

Alicia Keys: Beyonce, Jay-Z, Swizz Beatz Add Highlights To Madison Square Garden Concert

via Billboard

Alicia Keys stopped at New York City's Madison Square Garden last night (Wednesday, March 17) during her "Freedom Tour" and gave her hometown fans a special treat with surprise performances from Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Swizz Beatz.

Keys first performed new and old tracks like "Love Is Blind," "If I Can't Have You" and a stunning duet with former back-up singer Jermaine Paul -- who also served as an opening act along with Melanie Fiona and Robin Thicke -- for "Diary." But it was when the drums to her single "Put It In A Love Song" blared through the speakers that the crowd got most fired up. After performing her verse Keys introduced Beyoncé, who descended from the top of a staircase located towards the back of the stage and joined Keys for the remainder of the song. Ending in a dance routine, the performance marked the first time the two artists ever shared a stage.



With Beyoncé making a surprise appearance onstage, it was only fitting that her husband would do the same at the self-proclaimed "House that Hovie built." As Keys momentarily stopped playing the piano, her alleged boyfriend, producer/rapper Beatz, took the stage to his own collaboration with Jay-Z "On To The Next One," before Jay-Z himself came out for a performance of "Empire State of Mind." Scenes of Times Square and the city skyline appeared on the jumbo screens behind, setting the perfect backdrop for the Big Apple anthem as the masses sang in unison and waved their hands in the air.

"Thank you so much New York City! Thank you for welcoming me home!" Keys said nostalgically before exiting the stage. "I encourage you to continue to find your freedom, continue to find your way. God Bless you, my hometown. We love you!"

Photos:
Wire Image
Getty Images
Corbis Images
PR Photos
Rex Features 1
Rex Features 2
Star Traks Photo 1
Star Traks Photo 2
Corbis Images
WENN Photo

more fan shot footage below.







Alicia Keys 2010 Element of Freedom Tour Dates:

3/19 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Centre
3/20 - Atlantic City, NJ - Mark Etess Arena
3/22 - Boston, MA - Agganis Arena
3/24 - Baltimore, MD - 1st Mariner Arena
3/25 - Washington, DC - Verizon Center
3/27 - Miami, FL - American Airlines Arena
3/28 - Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times-Forum
3/30 - Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena
4/2 - Dallas, TX - Nokia Theater (Grand Prairie)
4/3 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center
4/6 - Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center
4/7 - Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl
4/9 - Las Vegas, NV - Mandalay Bay
4/10 - Oakland, CA - Oracle Coliseum
4/29 - Lisbon, Portugal - Pavilhao Atlantico
5/1 - Ischgl, Austria - Ski Resort
5/2 - Verona, Italy - Arena
5/4 - Marseille, France - Le Dome
5/8 - Arnhem, Netherlands - Gelredome
5/9 - Frankfurt, Germany - Festhalle - Messe Frankfurt
5/12 - Hamburg, Germany - Color Line Arena
5/13 - Oberhausen, Germany - Konig - Pilsener Arena
5/15 - Merksem, Belgium - Sportpaleis Antwerpen
5/17 - Zurich, Switzerland - Hallenstadion Zurich
5/19 - Birmingham, UK - The NIA
5/21 - Dublin, Ireland - The O2 Dublin
5/23 - Glasgow, UK - S.E.C.C.
5/25 - London, UK - The O2 - London
5/26 - London, UK - The O2 - London
5/29 - Manchester, UK - Manchester Evening News Arena
5/31 - Paris, France - Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy
6/2 - Barcelona, Spain - Palau Sant Jordi
6/4 - Lyon, France - Halle Tony Garnier

(video courtesy of joleystar & Billboard)

Beyonce Cosmetology Center Opens In Brooklyn, NY

via the press release

Phoenix House, the nation's leading non-profit provider of substance abuse and prevention services, today announces the opening of the Beyoncé Cosmetology Center at the Phoenix House Career Academy. A residential treatment program with a fully equipped vocational training center on site, the Career Academy, located in Brooklyn, NY, guides students as they work toward their professional and personal goals. Adding a new track to the Career Academy's vocational programs, the Beyoncé Cosmetology Center will offer a seven-month cosmetology training course for adult men and women. As Beyoncé is a spokesperson for L'Oréal Paris, the company is generously providing all makeup, skin care, and hair care products.

The pop superstar's relationship with Phoenix House began when she was preparing for the role of Etta James in the 2008 film Cadillac Records. To play the part of the former heroin addict, Beyoncé met with women in treatment at the Career Academy. Moved by their powerful stories of addiction and recovery, she later donated her salary from the film. A year later, she and her mother and business partner, fashion designer Tina Knowles, who owned a popular hair salon in Houston when Beyoncé was growing up, conceived of the idea of Phoenix House's new cosmetology program.

"We were thrilled when Beyoncé and her mother Tina approached us about creating a cosmetology center for our clients," said Phoenix House President and CEO Howard Meitiner. "Their generosity and compassion toward the men and women we serve is extraordinary. With this tremendous gift, they have given our clients a route to achieve successful, rewarding lives in recovery."

Opening today, the Beyoncé Cosmetology Center will teach students the theory and practical skills they need to pass the NYS Cosmetology Licensure Exam. The Center will also offer complimentary services, using L'Oréal Paris products, to a wide range of community partners, enabling its more advanced students to refine and practice their skills. Phoenix House's partners in this endeavor are two divisions of the NYS Department of Education, the Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) and the Bureau of Propriety Schools (BPSS).

PHOTOS from the Beyonce Cosmetology Center opening/ribbon cutting ceremony in Brooklyn, NY:
Getty Images
Film Magic
Wire Image
PR Photos
Rex Features
Star Traks Photo
WENN Photo

Jay-Z BP3 Madison Square Garden NYC After Show Party At The 40/40

Rapper Jay-Z hosted an after-party at his famous 40/40 club in New York City following his sold out concert in Madison Square Garden on Tuesday March 2nd. His wife Beyonce was there, and so was Michelle Williams, Lebron James, Drake, BETs Stephen Hill and his tour-mate Young Jeezy.

(video courtesy of theshorteshow)

Related:
Jay-Z Hometown Show At Madison Square Garden Concert Recap

Alicia Keys 'Put It In A Love Song' Ft. Beyonce On The Set In Rio de Janeiro

Photo links from the video shoot:
Rex Features
Getty Images

Hope For Haiti Performances With Jay-Z, Rihanna, Bono, Beyonce, Alicia Keys & More

<a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/" target="_blank">Jay Z/Rihanna/Bono Perform Live! Hope For Haiti</a>

Jay Z/Rihanna/Bono Perform Live! Hope For Haiti

<a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/" target="_blank">Beyonce/Chris Martin Perform Live! Hope For Haiti</a>

Beyonce/Chris Martin Perform Live! Hope For Haiti

<a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/" target="_blank">Alicia Keys Performs Live! Hope For Haiti</a>

Alicia Keys Performs Live! Hope For Haiti

<a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/" target="_blank">Wyclef Jean Performs Live! Hope For Haiti</a>

Wyclef Jean Performs Live! Hope For Haiti

<a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/" target="_blank">Mary J Blige Performs Live! Hope For Haiti</a>

Mary J Blige Performs Live! Hope For Haiti

<a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/" target="_blank">John Legend Performs Live! Hope For Haiti</a>

John Legend Performs Live! Hope For Haiti

<a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/" target="_blank">Jennifer Hudson Performs Live! Hope For Haiti</a>

Jennifer Hudson Performs Live! Hope For Haiti

52nd Annual Grammy List Of Nominees

A huge Grammy snub towards Kanye West. Maybe next year Kanye.

RECORD OF THE YEAR

"Halo," Beyonce

"I Gotta Feeling," The Black Eyed Peas

"Use Somebody," Kings of Leon

"Poker Face," Lady Gaga

"You Belong With Me," Taylor Swift

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

"I Am...Sasha Fierce," Beyonce

"The E.N.D.," The Black Eyed Peas

"The Fame," Lady Gaga

"Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King," Dave Matthews Band

"Fearless," Taylor Swift

BEST NEW ARTIST

Zac Brown Band

Keri Hilson

MGMT

Silversun Pickups

The Ting Tings

For the complete list:
52nd Annual Grammy Awards Nominees List

Beyonce Blowout In Belfast, Ireland Concert Recap

via the Belfast Telegraph

We were lucky enough to be witnessing the last night of Beyoncé's I Am...Tour. Of course, that's part of her recent album title but it's also what the show does. We saw many Beyoncés including an acrobat as the diva, who swept aloft on wires, performed somersaults way above our heads before returning to earth.

There was something unearthly and religious about the whole experience with the audience providing enough adulation to reverse decline in church attendance. After the acrobatics Beyoncé led the audience in a kind of singalong of To The Left. She had all sections of the Odyssey eating out of her elegant hands.

What also made the night special was the special effects from videos of Beyoncé apparently taming a leopard to super-dramatic entrances down rising stairways.

Read more of the concert review here:
Belfast Telegraph - Beyoncé has Belfast eating out of her hands

More fan shot footage below.







(video courtesy of ms302a & mairead1989)

Kanye & Jay-Z Join Beyonce Onstage At London Concert

via NME

Kanye West and Jay-Z joined Beyonce at her London O2 Arena show last night (November 16).

It was West's first onstage appearance since invading the stage at the MTV VMA ceremony during Taylor Swift's acceptance speech in September.

Jay-Z also joined his wife at the gig to perform 'Crazy In Love', the second song in the setlist.

West arrived on stage to rap during 'Ego', with Beyonce asking the crowd to "give it up for Kanye West".

As well as her own solo hits Beyonce performed a medley of songs by her old band Destiny's Child, including 'Bootylicious' and 'Jumpin' Jumpin''.
(source)

Beyonce London O2 Arena setlist:
'Déjà Vu'
'Crazy In Love'
'Work It Out'
'Let Me Clear My Throat'
'Pass The Peas'
'Naughty Girl'
'Freakum Dress'
'Get Me Bodied'
'Smash Into You'
'Ave Maria'
'Broken-Hearted Girl'
'If I Were A Boy'
'Diva'
'Radio'
'Me, Myself and I'
'Ego'
'Hello'
'Baby Boy'
'Irreplaceable'
'Check On It'
'Bootylicious'/'Bug A Boo'/'Jumpin' Jumpin''/'Upgrade U'/'Video Phone'
'Say My Name'
'At Last'
'Listen'
'Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)'
'Halo'

Fan shot footage from last night's London O2 Arena November 15 below.







Beyonce I Am World Tour dates:

Nov. 16 - London, UK - The O2
Nov. 18 - Manchester, UK
Manchester Evening News Arena
Nov. 19 - Newcastle upon Tyne, UK - Metro Radio Arena
Nov. 20 - Nottingham, UK - Trent FM Arena
Nov. 22 - Dublin, Ireland - The O2
Nov. 23 - Dublin, Ireland - The O2
Nov. 24 - Belfast, Ireland UK - Odyssey Arena

(video courtesy maz13, zoeshowbiz & charl240)

Beyonce, Jay-Z And Eminem Win Big At MTV EMAs

2009 MTV Europe Music Awards at O2 World Arena, Berlin, Germany Thursday November 5.

via ITN

Beyonce has scooped a hat-trick of prizes at the MTV Europe Music Awards, dedicating one of them to husband Jay-Z.

The singer beat Leona Lewis among others to take home the Best Female gong, and also won Best Song for Halo and Best Video for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).

Eminem won the Best Male category, beating Robbie Williams and Mika among others. Williams was due to attend the event but pulled out due to a "schedule clash".

Read the full review here:
ITN - U2, Beyonce and Eminem winners at MTV awards

Full List of all the Winners from the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards:

Best Song
Beyoncé - 'Halo'

Best Live Act
U2

Best Group
Tokio Hotel

Best New Act
Lady GaGa

Best Female
Beyoncé

Best European Act
maNga

Best Push Artist
Pixie Lott

Best Male
Eminem

Best Urban
Jay-Z

Best Rock
Green Day

Best Alternative
Placebo

Best Video
Beyoncé - 'Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)'

Best World Stage Performance
Linkin Park

Photos:
Wire Image - Red Carpet
Wire Image - Show
Wire Image - Backstage

Film Magic - Red Carpet
Film Magic - Show
Film Magic - Backstage

Getty Images - Red Carpet 1
Getty Images - Red Carpet 2
Getty Images - Red Carpet 3
Getty Images - Show
Getty Images - Backstage
Getty Images - Studio Portraits
Getty Images - Universal Music After Show Party

Rex Features - Red Carpet

Star Trak Photos - Red Carpet

Globe Photos - Red Carpet

WENN Photo - Red Carpet 1
WENN Photo - Red Carpet 2
WENN Photo - Show & Backstage
WENN Photo - Universal Music After Show Party

Related:
Jay-Z & U2 Unite At Berlin's Brandenburg Gate For MTV EMAs

Big Jon Platt Promoted to President Of North American Creative At EMI Music Publishing

Big Jon Platt is a behind the scenes power player in the music publishing business. If you haven't heard of him, you have surely heard of the artists he works with (Jay-Z, Beyonce, Kanye West, Damon Thomas of the Underdogs, Usher and the list goes on) who continue to trust his guidance and expertise. He started out as a party DJ in the Denver scene, when he befriended Chuck D of Public Enemy who suggested to Platt that he should get into the music business. Then Platt moved to LA and the rest is history.

via Billboard biz

EMI Music Publishing has promoted Big Jon Platt has been promoted to president of North American creative. In this new role, he will oversee EMI Music Publishing's North American creative team, with responsibility for overall creative strategy across the company's offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, Atlanta and Canada.

Platt, previously president of West Coast creative and urban, already heads a team representing songwriters, who have topped the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart for 60 of the last 62 weeks, according to the company's announcement.

source

Beyonce At Summer Sonic Festival In Tokyo

Beyonce performed at the 2009 Summer Sonic Festival 2 different dates, one in Osaka and this show in Tokyo Sunday, August 9. Besides Beyonce, this year's Summer Sonic Festival featured a variety of different artists and genres in music which included CSS, Big Pink, Nine Inch Nails, The Ting Tings, Paramore, Ne-Yo and more.

Beyonce heats up Japan tonight again, the rest of Asia eminently and beyond as the 'I Am... ' World Tour marches on.

Mon 10/12/09 - Kobe, Japan - World Hall
Tue 10/13/09 - Osaka, Japan - Osaka-Jo Hall
Thu 10/15/09 - Nagoya, Japan - Nihon Gaishi Hall
Sat 10/17/09 - Saitama-shi, Japan - Saitama Super Arena
Sun 10/18/09 - Saitama-shi, Japan - Saitama Super Arena
Tue 10/20/09 - Seoul, South Korea - Olympic Gym
Wed 10/21/09 - Seoul, South Korea - Olympic Gym
Fri 10/23/09 - Beijing, China - Wukesong Arena
Sun 10/25/09 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Bukit Jalil Indoor Stadium
Thu 10/29/09 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Ferrari World
Mon 11/02/09 - Moscow, Russia - Olympiiski
Fri 11/06/09 - Marsa Alam, Egypt - The Island / Port Ghalib
Sun 11/08/09 - Athens, Greece - Olympic Arena
Wed 11/11/09 - Liverpool, UK - Liverpool Echo Arena
Thu 11/12/09 - Birmingham, UK - The NIA
Sat 11/14/09 - London, UK - The O2 - London
Mon 11/16/09 - London, UK - The O2 - London
Wed 11/18/09 - Manchester, UK - Manchester Evening News Arena
Thu 11/19/09 - Newcastle upon Tyne, UK - Metro Radio Arena
Fri 11/20/09 - Nottingham, UK - Trent FM Arena
Sun 11/22/09 - Dublin, Ireland - The O2 Dublin
Mon 11/23/09 - Dublin, Ireland - The O2 Dublin
Tue 11/24/09 - Belfast, UK - Odyssey Arena

Beyonce: Sydney, Australia Concert Recap With Photos, Videos And Show Review

Beyonce Live In Sydney, Australia Friday September 18, 2009 at ACER Arena.

Quality fan shot video below.







Show reviews:
Sydney Morning Herald

Pop Trash Addicts

Photos:
Rex Features

(video courtesy of swisshelp, itsnikkiibaby and crizk95)

(show review courtesy of Bernard Zuel at the Sydney Morning Herald and blogger Mike at Pop Trash Addicts)

Beyonce I Am World Tour continues:

Thu 09/24/09 - Perth, Australia - Burswood Dome
Sat 09/26/09 - Singapore, Singapore - Fort Canning Park
Mon 10/12/09 - Kobe, Japan - World Hall
Tue 10/13/09 - Osaka, Japan - Osaka-Jo Hall
Thu 10/15/09 - Nagoya, Japan - Nihon Gaishi Hall
Sat 10/17/09 - Saitama-shi, Japan - Saitama Super Arena
Sun 10/18/09 - Saitama-shi, Japan - Saitama Super Arena
Tue 10/20/09 - Seoul, South Korea - Olympic Gym
Wed 10/21/09 - Seoul, South Korea - Olympic Gym
Sun 10/25/09 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Bukit Jalil Indoor Stadium
Mon 11/02/09 - Moscow, Russia - Olympiiski
Fri 11/06/09 - Marsa Alam, Egypt - The Island / Port Ghalib
Sun 11/08/09 - Athens, Greece - Olympic Arena
Wed 11/11/09 - Liverpool, UK - Liverpool Echo Arena
Thu 11/12/09 - Birmingham, UK - The NIA
Sat 11/14/09 - London, UK - The O2
Mon 11/16/09 - London, UK - The O2
Wed 11/18/09 - Manchester, UK
Manchester Evening News Arena
Thu 11/19/09 - Newcastle upon Tyne, UK - Metro Radio Arena
Fri 11/20/09 - Nottingham, UK - Trent FM Arena
Sun 11/22/09 - Dublin, Ireland - The O2
Mon 11/23/09 - Dublin, Ireland - The O2
Tue 11/24/09 - Belfast, Ireland UK - Odyssey Arena

Pop Stars Kelly Clarkson & Sara Bareilles Go Urban

sort of...

via Billboard

Singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles has begun work on her sophomore album for Epic Records, Billboard.com has learned. In the early going, Bareilles is recording in Brooklyn, N.Y., with production assistance from Roots drummer Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson and Adam Blackstone.

Read more:
Billboard - Sara Bareilles Working With Questlove On New Album



via Canoe.ca

Kelly Clarkson is desperate to silence critics accusing her of "ripping off" Beyonce’s hit Halo - she is reworking the offending song on her live tour.

The Since U Been Gone hitmaker claimed songwriter/producer Ryan Tedder sent her the track that became Halo without telling her he'd already offered it to Beyonce.

Clarkson later came under fire after Sony Music bosses released her version, Already Gone, as a single - despite her desperate pleas to shelve it.

Read more:
Canoe - Clarkson reworks Beyonce ‘rip-off’

Jay-Z: Press Conference For "Answer the Call" NYC Benefit Concert

Photos:
Film Magic
Wire Image
Getty Images
WENN Photos
PR Photo
Rex Features
Star Traks Photo

Press release:
Madison Square Garden's national music network Fuse and MSG Entertainment today announced that JAY-Z will play a benefit concert at Madison Square Garden, underwritten by ABSOLUT, JAY-Z and Live Nation, on September 11 at 9pm ET that will air exclusively in HD and commercial-free, live on Fuse. All proceeds from the concert will go towards New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund, the organization that has been helping New York City families of fallen first responders for over 25 years. The exclusive relationship between MSGE and Fuse will allow JAY-Z's fans nationwide to experience "Fuse Presents JAY-Z Live from Madison Square Garden: Answer the Call," the highly anticipated live event, the same day his 11th studio album, The Blueprint 3 is released.

For this live event, 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales and concert merchandise will go directly to New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund. Since its inception, the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund has distributed over $114 million to the families of New York City police and fire personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Though the Benefit Fund was initially created to assist families of New York City Fire Fighters and Police Officers, the non-profit now includes the families of Emergency Medical Services and Port Authority Officers as well. For more information on the organization, go to www.answerthecall.org.

The on-sale date and method of purchase will be announced shortly. After the announcement, Citi card members will have access to presale tickets through Citi's Private Pass(R) program. For complete presale details visit: www.citiprivatepass.com and for more information on programming surrounding this event, go to www.fuse.tv/jay-z.

The events of September 11th challenged JAY-Z as an entertainer and a New Yorker. This benefit concert serves as not just a reminder of the lives lost but as a look towards the future and the hope that arose on September 12th. "This charity and concert encompass the true spirit of New York City," commented Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter. "We are asking everyone to 'answer the call' and support and honor the families of those that lost their lives in the line of duty. There was true camaraderie and resiliency that this city showed the world in 2001, and we continue that today by taking care of our own."

"On behalf of New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund's Board of Directors and the families of our fallen heroes, we are truly grateful for JAY-Z's choice to support our charity and 'answering the call'," said Stephen J. Dannhauser, president and CEO of the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund.

Kicking off with the live airing of "Fuse Presents JAY-Z Live from Madison Square Garden: Answer the Call," on September 11 at 9pm ET, Fuse will feature additional JAY-Z programming in support of the Benefit Fund and The Blueprint 3's release throughout the weekend. Content will include "The JAY-Z Chronicles," tracing his career and rise to the top through music videos and facts, "Loaded: JAY-Z," featuring a half-hour of JAY-Z's greatest music videos, and encore performances of the concert.

The unique relationship between MSG Entertainment and Fuse offers music lovers distinct multi-platform access to JAY-Z and the opportunity to support, along with JAY-Z, an important New York City cause. Through television, on-line exposure at MSGE venue websites and msg.com, and cross-venue assets, JAY-Z will benefit from MSG's multi-tiered exposure to his fans, ultimately further promoting this important charity.

"MSGE and Fuse are honored to support JAY-Z's efforts to raise awareness and funds for a great cause through this unique live concert and television event," said Mike Bair, president, MSG Media. "By utilizing Madison Square Garden's historic venue, Fuse's national reach of 65 million homes as well as our on air programming and promotional efforts, we hope to help JAY-Z reach fans by giving back through music."

"Together, MSGE and Fuse are thrilled to support JAY-Z's upcoming charity performance at The Garden and provide significant exposure to his fans in efforts to make a difference in people's lives," said Jay Marciano, president, MSG Entertainment. "There is no better outcome than when an evening of great music can excite fans and help people in need at the same time. Through MSG's unique assets, thousands of fans will be able to experience JAY-Z live exclusively on Fuse, bringing JAY-Z closer to potential donors and ultimately raising awareness for a meaningful cause."

Beyonce: West Coast 2009 I Am...World Tour Re-Cap With Show Reviews, Videos and Photos

All fan shot video below.

July 9 - Sacramento, CA - Arco Arena





Sacramento Bee Review
Beyoncé's Arco Show Leaves Lasting Impression

Sacramento, CA - Arco Arena Photos:
Getty Images

July 10 - Oakland, CA - Oracle Arena

Previous - Full Report Here
Beyonce: Oakland, CA Show Review, Photos And Videos Posted

July 11 - Anaheim, CA - Honda Center





L.A. Times
Review of the Honda Center show

Orange County Register
Beyoncé Dazzles Without Signifying Much In Anaheim

July 13 - Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center









Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center Photos:
WENN
Film Magic
Rex Features
Startraks Photo