Jay-Z: Las Vegas The Pearl At The Palms BP3 Close Out Concert Review

Jay-Z Las Vegas, NV The Pearl At The Palms concert closes out the 2nd leg of the BP3 Tour.

As reported by Jason Bracelin / Las Vegas Review-Journal

He fancies himself hip-hop's pre-eminent huckster, three-card monte personified, a used car salesman with beats instead of beaters.

"I sell ice in the winter, I sell fire in hell," Jay-Z informed a sold-out Pearl at the Palms on Saturday night (Saturday, March 27). "I am a hustler, baby, I'll sell water to a well."

The song was "U Don't Know," a shout-along banger with shotgun-blast percussion where the emcee in question testifies to his marketing prowess, which lies somewhere between the calculating number crunching of a one-man ad agency and the smooth-talking savvy of a street urchin with a bunch of gold watches for sale inside his trenchcoat.

"Put me anywhere of God's green Earth, I'll triple my worth," he announced matter-of-factly, with little aplomb.

"I. Will. Not. Lose," he continued, each utterance doubling as its own declarative sentence.

And true to his words, Jay-Z is a master salesman, saving his best work for his toughest charge: himself.

Hip-hop, like professional sports, is an unforgiving vocation: Rhymers age like dogs, one year may as well be seven.

Just look at 50 Cent's shelf-life: Dairy products tend to last longer. It's the rare rapper who can continually reinvent himself and even unimpeachable greats like Nas, the Wu-Tang Clan, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and dozens of others eventually seem to lose a measure of their vitality, not to mention their commercial luster.

In rock 'n' roll, nostalgia is often embraced and celebrated, as cherished as some ragged old concert T-shirt that reminds its wearers of their youth.

But in hip-hop, the past is mostly significant only as a prelude to the present. You don't see pioneering veteran acts such as Run-DMC or Public Enemy still packing arenas the way that, say, even the Journeys of the world do.

And this is one of hip-hop's best attributes and greatest strengths.

Nevertheless, Jay-Z's been consistently topping the charts for almost 15 years now, throwing off rap's evolutionary bell curve like maybe only Tupac Shakur or Biggie Smalls might have done had they lived long enough to attempt as much.

He's done it all by never putting on any airs about himself as he's gone from small-scale drug dealer –– at least that's how he tells it –– to big-time record seller and entrepreneur with his own clothing line and sneaker endorsements.

For a lot of rappers, "keeping it real" means continually revisiting the street-level exploits that form the preface to many of their careers.

For Jay-Z, it just means being forthcoming about where he's at in his life at a given moment, and so he doesn't try to relate to his audience so much as give them a behind-the-curtains peek at his own celebrity.

Hence, his latter-day catalog is a bit like the "Robb Report" set to a beat.

"If you grew up with holes in your zapatos, you'd celebrate the minute you was having dough," he explained during the chest-pounding bravado of "99 Problems," a line that encapsulates much of Jay-Z's recent repertoire.

That song segued into "Show Me What You Got," a pop trifle that was the inverse of the tune that preceded it, with images of yachts and girls in bikinis flashing across the video screens at the back of the stage.

It's this balance of grit and glamour, skewed to the latter nowadays, that forms the basis of Jay-Z's appeal.

On the mic, he's an incredible technician, swinging between a cool nonchalance and an overheated spray of boasts.

"I'm so far ahead of my time, I'm 'bout to start another life. Look behind you, I'm 'bout to pass you twice," he rhymed acapella during "Hovi Baby," his 10-piece backing group momentarily silenced as his words packed just as much thunder as his band's substantial percussive might.

A cool, cocksure presence, Jay-Z donned a smile as wide as his vocabulary through it all, commanding the stage with a loose-shouldered, easygoing gait, bouncing on the back of his heels the way some prizefighters do just before springing into action.

He fired off his songs one right after the other with barely a pause. Perhaps the show's only dull moment over close to two hours was when Jay-Z ceded the stage for a brief interlude by run-of-the-mill gangsta Young Jeezy, who possesses abundant energy, but little else.

And then the man of the night ambled back on stage.

This was the last stop of his "Blueprint 3 Tour," and he ended his set by drinking champagne with his tourmates and pointing out crowd members individually by what they were wearing and thanking them for showing up.

A multimillionaire superstar, Jay-Z's no longer a man of the people, but for a night at least, he seemed happy enough to be among them. He took off his shades, doffed his hat, and stopped selling himself just long enough to be himself.

Show photo links:
Corbis Images
Wire Image

After party photo links:
Wire Image - Jay-Z
Wire Image - Trey Songz

Jay-Z concert appearances are as follows:

Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival appearance.
Apr 16 Indio, CA - Empire Polo Club

Jay-Z European Tour Dates:

Jun 4 Rock am Ring, Germany
Jun 5 Rock im Park, Germany
Jun 6 Paris Bercy, France
Jun 7 Manchester, UK - Manchester Evening News Arena
Jun 9 Birmingham, UK - LG Arena
Jun 11 Isle of Wright, UK - Seaclose Park
Jul 2 Eurockeennes Belfort, France
Jul 4 London, UK - Hyde Park - Wireless Festival
Jul 9 Oxygen, Ireland
Jul 10 Frauenfeld, Switzerland - Openair Frauenfeld
Jul 11 T in the Park, Scotland

Jadakiss, Nelly & More From The Magic Show In Las Vegas

SoJones takes us a an apparel journey through the catacombs of the Las Vegas Convention Center where this year's Magic Show 2010 took place in February. Interviews with Jadakiss, Nelly and the reps from clothing companies are also included here.

And more video from SoJones at the Magic Show - Las Vegas, NV:

Lavie Clothing - Magic Feb 2010

The Mixer Friendly (Brand) - Magic Feb 2010

Triple Fat Goose - Magic Feb 2010

Sabit NYC - Magic Feb 2010

Wale Live In Vegas

spotted on Hip Hip Site

Video of Wale performing live at XS Nightclub in Las Vegas on Monday, February 22. Performing "Pretty Girls" & "Chillin'".

Nelly Performance At Tao Nightclub Las Vegas, NV

Nelly performance at Tao in Las Vegas Thursday, February 18.

Photos:
Vegas News
Film Magic
WENN Photo

(video courtesy of rayofmike)

Magic Show 2010 Las Vegas Floor Run Thru

Magic Show takes place twice a year at the Las Vegas Convention Center (this time, Feb. 16-18) where the fashion and accessories business comes together to showcase the latest wares.

More info here:
Magic Marketplace 2010

Usher Parties At Haze Nightclub In Las Vegas

Usher prepping 'Usher vs.Usher' on LaFace/Jive/Zomba coming soon!

PHOTOS of Usher on the red carpet:
Getty Images
Rex Features
Film Magic
PR Photos
WENN Photo

Recording Studio Software For The Masses?: 2 Industry Heavyweights Think So

via Digital Music News

The concept is designed to be daringly easy and hopelessly addictive. So what better place to unveil it than CES? In the City of Sin, Ted Cohen is now generating buzz on Music Mastermind, a startup that aims to deliver a ProTools for the masses. In short, Mastermind wants to allow anyone to make good music, regardless of training or musical experience. And, the whole process is designed to be game-like and multi-platform.

The top-level was shared exclusively with Digital Music News on Wednesday, and a private presentation is also happening at the Mirage on Thursday evening. But the company is also offering presentations at the show floor at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Cohen (TAG Strategic) is being tapped to broaden awareness and strike deals, though the company was started in 2008 by Matt Serletic, a Grammy Award-winning producer and songwriter. Some of Serletic's credits includes Santana, Matchbox 20, and Gloriana, and Rob Thomas is on board as an investor and endorser. Serletic is also the former Chairman and CEO of Virgin Records America.

An additional article in the Los Angeles Times:
CES: Music Mastermind proposes a 21st century musical instrument

Clear The Way For Dr. Dre At The Consumer Electronics Show 2010 Las Vegas

Related:
Dr. Dre Unveils The New Beats Solo HD (PRODUCT)RED Headphones at CES

(video courtesy of Blushift)

Diddy & Friends At Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel On The Red Carpet

On January 2nd, Vanity Nightclub inside the Hard Rock Hotel held its Grand Opening red carpet with newcomer IYAZ, Jason Giambi, Keith Robinson, Laz Alonso, Corey McCormick, Megan Good, Nelly, Rick Ross, Jadakiss and Sean 'Diddy' Combs in Las Vegas, NV.

PHOTOS:
Getty Images
Film Magic
Rex Features
Corbis Images
WENN Photo

50 Cent: More New Year's Eve Video Coverage In Las Vegas, NV

Related:
50 Cent New Year's Eve At PURE Nightclub Las Vegas On The Red Carpet

50 Cent New Year's Eve At PURE Nightclub Las Vegas On The Red Carpet

via Las Vegas Weekly

As the last hour of 2009 ticked by on screens around the five-year-old club, a steady stream of guests and VIPs poured into the venue. Dressed in a sleek black ensemble of shine and lace topped with a structured blazer and shoulder pads, 24-year-old songstress Ciara stalked the red carpet outside Pure with a crew of female friends waiting to accompany her inside.

"I never really go out that often," said the singer who is reportedly dating 50 Cent, "so I'm just excited to go out and have a good time and enjoy myself."

If she hasn't been devoting much time to partying, maybe it's because Ciara simply hasn't had the time. In 2009, the multi-platinum selling artist behind tracks "Like a Boy" and "1,2 Step" released her third album, Fantasy Ride, toured with Jay-Z and made commercial appearances. Ciara seems to have had a better 2009 than most. She summed up her year as "pretty eventful, pretty fun, pretty prosperous, pretty great." Sounds pretty rare, too.

50 Cent also seemed to have missed out on some quality time in Las Vegas clubs. The rapper was last in town in April when he spent time in the Palms recording studio with Dr. Dre and Eminem for his Curtis album. "We got the chance to go to the movies a couple of times, but we didn't go out and party," 50 Cent explained.

Consider New Year's Eve making up for lost time, then.

50 started his performance on the Pure roof deck, welcoming 2010 with his suggestively titled song "Have a Baby By Me, Baby, Be a Millionaire." About half an hour past midnight, the concert continued in the club's main room.

"2010! We gonna ring it in right," the rapper called from the stage, now out of the black brocade jacket he sported for his walk down the red carpet and wearing a white jacket and his standard issue Yankees hat.

Standing next to boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr, who obligingly held up a stack of cash, 50 launched into the first song of his roughly 45-minute set, "I Got Money." The pair played off each other throughout 50's 13-song tour through his hits with so much chemistry, Mayweather might consider joining the music man on his next tour. When 50 called out "I get money!", Mayweather held up his own pile of bills, fanning them out for all to see. It was like a beautiful interpretive dance, with Benjamins.

"In Da Club," "Candy Shop," "Magic Stick," "Hate It Or Love It," "P-I-M-P" and "If I Can't" — the set list read like a track list for his greatest hits project. Surrounded by bodyguards — getting shot nine times would make anyone paranoid — 50 Cent plowed through his four-album catalog, and all the while a dapper Mayweather danced alongside, flipping off the crowd and even making it rain what looked like $100s for a moment above the packed club.

After performing for nearly an hour, 50 Cent closed out his set in an auditory hail of gunfire with the sound of shots echoing out of the speakers, as if to remind the crowd of the street legitimacy behind the now wealthy musician.

"Party time," 50 said before the spotlight suddenly cut out and he disappeared into the crowd encircled by burly men in black. Who doesn't love a dramatic exit?

Sean 'Diddy' Combs & Dirty Money At Core DJs Weekend In Las Vegas

(video courtesy of one1xtyme)

Snoop Duets With Justin At The Timberlake & Friends Charity Concert In Vegas

Fan shot footage below.



Bonus TLC performing "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" & "What About Your Friends" medley:



Justin Timberlake and Friends concert brought out the top music stars from the entertainment world to do it 'Las Vegas' style all to benefit the Shriners Hospitals. The concert took place on Saturday, October 17 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Alicia Keys, Snoop, Ciara, Timbaland, Jay Sean and a reunited TLC with T-Boz & Chilli were the big highlights from the concert.

Read the MTV concert review here:
MTV - Justin Timberlake Puts Friends Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys To Work In Vegas

Photos of the Justin Timberlake & Friends Concert:
Getty Images

(video footage courtesy of nikoleoncld9)

John Legend Performance In Las Vegas

At Sandbar At Red Rock Casino Las Vegas, NV Friday September 18.







(video courtesy of Xxgeema47xX and MIZZJGSG)

Kid Cudi Album Release Party In Las Vegas With Videos And Photos

Saturday September 19, 2009

Fan shot video below.

It's a bit dark in the club, but what you can make out is worth viewing.





Photos:
WENN Photo
PR Photos
Film Magic
Getty Images
Wire Image

(video courtesy of infernaldarkangel and oillusiveo)

Jamie Foxx: Foxxhole from the Hard Rock in Las Vegas video posted

Jay-Z: More video footage from Las Vegas Palms Theatre show

Jay-Z, Ciara with special guest Fabolous tour dates:
Tuesday July 7th Chicago, IL Charter One Pavilion
Friday July 10th Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
Sunday July 12th Atlanta, GA Chastain Park Amphitheatre

Jay-Z and Ciara live in Las Vegas at Pearl review, video and photos posted online

L.A. Times reviews last night's official 1st show of the Jay-Z and Ciara tour at The Pearl Theatre in Las Vegas.

It's nice to see fellow Roc-A-Fella associate Memphis Bleek make a showing.

If that “new Michael Jordan” thing doesn’t work out for LeBron James, maybe he should consider becoming the new Memphis Bleek.

Memphis Bleek is one of Jay-Z’s longtime associates, and he’s serving as the hip-hop star’s wingman on his few live appearances (none in the Southland) this summer. But Friday, during the first of two nights at the Pearl Concert Theater in the Palms Casino Resort, Bleek had to share his spotlight with the National Basketball Assn. MVP.

Read more of the L.A. Times show review here



Check out the photos:
Las Vegas Sun
Associated Press
Getty Images 1
Getty Images 2
Getty Images 3
Wire Image 1
Wire Image 2
Rex Features

Jay-Z, Ciara with special guest Fabolous tour dates:
Saturday July 4th Las Vegas, NV The Pearl
Tuesday July 7th Chicago, IL Charter One Pavilion
Friday July 10th Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
Sunday July 12th Atlanta, GA Chastain Park Amphitheatre

Eve performs at Pure Night Club in Las Vegas

It remains to be seen if Eve's release 'Flirt' formerly known as 'Here I Am' will ever see the light of day. Eve said it would come out in Summer on Geffen Records. Other artist are already making release announcements for September, so let's not hold our breath just yet. At least Eve is getting her live show on with this performance at Pure Night Club at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas on Saturday June 13.

Shake Your Tambourine, Eve!

Soulja Boy: performance posted KLUC SummerJam Las Vegas