Jay-Z delayed Yankee Stadium concert to prevent fans from being “trampled”
The rapper apologized for the delay on Sunday night, citing a desire to keep fans safe: “I had to make sure everyone was okay.”
Photo courtesy of Roc Nation
Jay-Z spoke out on Sunday after fans complained they were made to wait over three hours for the final show of a trilogy he held at Yankee Stadium this weekend. Appearing on stage after the delay, the rapper stated, “It was like 10,000 people outside, and we closed all the doors, and somebody rushed the door. They closed the door for you guys’ safety and everyone’s safety outside. There’s 10,000 people outside; I don’t want to start the music and people get trampled. I’m really sorry for the inconvenience, but I had to make sure everyone was okay. I appreciate your patience.” The show had been billed as a mammoth celebration of Jay’s career, featuring “extra innings” to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt, and The Blueprint’s silver jubilee.
Nights one and two of Jay’s celebration featured Beyoncé, Eminem, Nas, and Alicia Keys, so fans anticipated a host of surprise guests to cap the legendary rapper’s victory tour. The show was set to begin at 8 p.m., but after hundreds of ticketless fans rushed the stadium’s gates, the performance was delayed until after midnight. Fans complained about a lack of real-time messaging explaining the delay, noting that many had given up and left by the time the concert started. When it finally did take place, however, a lineup of the aforementioned special guests plus Rihanna, Pharrell Williams, Usher, and Teyana Taylor delighted fans during an almost three-hour-long montage of the rapper’s biggest hits. Jay will continue the celebration in London, Paris, and Los Angeles later this year.
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