Jay Z performs in Abu Dhabi. Delores Johnson
Jay Z performs in Abu Dhabi. Delores Johnson

Jay Z thrills UAE fans with brilliant set



When Jay Z, real name Shawn Carter, announced his retirement as a recording artist 10 years ago, it made perfect sense.
He was on an admirable winning streak with his previous trio of records - including the 2001 modern hip-hop classic The Blueprint - garnering something that is rare for hip-hop: critical acclaim and rave reviews.
With a 2003 farewell concert in New York City featuring the cream of hip-hop, Jay Z was perfectly placed to sail into the musical sunset and focus on buying a basketball team or two.
While fans rejoiced at his return three years later, even the most hardcore would admit the solo material released since is not up to scratch.
While Jay Z's swagger and ear for innovative beats hasn't failed him, plush success removed the sting and hunger of Jay Z's earlier albums.
His latest release, Magna Carta Holy Grail was symptomatic of this. It contained the best beats money can buy but Jay Z also seemed lazy and disinterested, casting a been-there done-that feel over the recording.
Where does one go when success pins you into a fluffy corner? For Jay Z, the answer is back to basics.
His Abu Dhabi performance last night was part of his first solo world tour in over three years.
With the exception of the strobe lights and LED screens, Jay Z's stage presence was deliberately stripped down.
Only four musicians - including special guest and music giant in his own right, Timbaland, on the keys and beat machine - stood behind on an elevated stage.
Jay Z, who on previous tours has warmed up the crowd for U2 and vocally jousted with Justin Timberlake and Kanye West, had the floor to himself.
With such a relatively simple set-up the only way Jay Z could engage the large Du Arena field was through pure energy.
This is what the 43-year-old did brilliantly, with a kinetic set that had the crowd on their toes.
Swaggering on stage to the symphonic backdrop of Higher, Jay Z tore into the thumping You Don't Know.
It was a statement of intent. The Blueprint track has no real chorus, just straight out rapping and Jay Z delivered those trademark braggadocio rhymes (I sell ice in the winter, I sell fire in hell/ I am a hustler baby, I'll sell water to a well) with intensity.
The fierceness rose with the mercurial On To The Next One with Jay Z tossing off put downs and boasts before locking in with the band in the career highlight 99 Problems.
A regional flavour was introduced courtesy of his Punjabi MC collaborations Beware of The Boys, its Bhangra hip-hop fusion eliciting mass shaking of hips.
Jay Z's explosive performance then turned literal, as the generator blew out during a souped version of Tom Ford.
After a 10-minute stage black-out Timbaland took the decks and warmed up the crowd once again with a selection of hit productions including Missy Elliot's Get Your Freak On and The Rain.
Jay Z returned to the stage with Dirt Off Your Shoulder and regular service resumed. He rounded off the set with Run This Town, Encore, Izzo and the street anthems Hard Knock Life and Empire State of Mind.
It was a stand-out performance, proving that hip-hop can play an big part in revving up Formula One party-goers.
It also put rest to doubts that success hasn't totally softened Jay Z. The intensity displayed live on stage cements his reputation as being one of the leading MC's in the game.
Now if he can just apply that same live focus to the studio, then everyone wins.
sasaeed@thenational.ae

TRAP

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue

Director: M Night Shyamalan

Rating: 3/5

match info

Athletic Bilbao 1 (Muniain 37')

Atletico Madrid 1 (Costa 39')

Man of the match  Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao)

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Jigra
Director: Vasan Bala
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Rated: 3.5/5
Kill%20
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
RESULT

Los Angeles Galaxy 2 Manchester United 5

Galaxy: Dos Santos (79', 88')
United: Rashford (2', 20'), Fellaini (26'), Mkhitaryan (67'), Martial (72')

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
Biog

Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara

He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada

Father of two sons, grandfather of six

Plays golf once a week

Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family

Walks for an hour every morning

Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India

2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business

 

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Tree of Hell

Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla

Director: Raed Zeno

Rating: 4/5

Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier

UAE results
Beat China by 16 runs
Lost to Thailand by 10 wickets
Beat Nepal by five runs
Beat Hong Kong by eight wickets
Beat Malaysia by 34 runs

Standings (P, W, l, NR, points)

1. Thailand 5 4 0 1 9
2. UAE 5 4 1 0 8
3. Nepal 5 2 1 2 6
4. Hong Kong 5 2 2 1 5
5. Malaysia 5 1 4 0 2
6. China 5 0 5 0 0

Final
Thailand v UAE, Monday, 7am

Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule

 

  • 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
  • 2nd Test Thursday-Monday at Colombo
  • 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Power: 268bhp / 536bhp
Torque: 343Nm / 686Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
On sale: Later this year
How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips 

Rating: 2/5

THE SPECS

Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre

Transmission: Seven-speed auto

Power: 165hp

Torque: 241Nm

Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000

On sale: now

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

Tuesday (UAE kick-off times)

Leicester City v Brighton (9pm)

Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United (11.15pm)

Wednesday

Manchester United v Sheffield United (9pm)

Newcastle United v Aston Villa (9pm)

Norwich City v Everton (9pm)

Wolves v Bournemouth (9pm)

Liverpool v Crystal Palace (11.15pm)

Thursday

Burnley v Watford (9pm)

Southampton v Arsenal (9pm)

Chelsea v Manchester City (11.15pm)

Scoreline

Abu Dhabi Harlequins 17

Jebel Ali Dragons 20

Harlequins Tries: Kinivilliame, Stevenson; Cons: Stevenson 2; Pen: Stevenson

Dragons Tries: Naisau, Fourie; Cons: Love 2; Pens: Love 2

Singham Again

Director: Rohit Shetty

Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone

Rating: 3/5

Thank You for Banking with Us

Director: Laila Abbas

Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum

Rating: 4/5