Jay-Z “Answers the Call” for Sept 11 with NYC Blowout Concert

Article written by: Jacob Breinholt
Posted on: September 12, 2009

“We celebrate LIFE!”

–Jay-Z, from “Answer the Call” 9/11 Concert at Madison Square Garden

September the 11th, 2009 will go down in history as the date of one of the most legendary hip-hop shows of all time. Madison Square Garden was packed to the rafters with eager fans Friday night, as Biz Markie warmed up the crowd on the 1′s and 2′s.

Everyone knew that Shawn C. Carter aka Jay-Z was going to perform, but the audience had no idea what they were about to witness. It was pretty clear that he was going to do some songs from “Blueprint 3″, his latest album that dropped the same day. People also had an idea that there would be some sort of tribute to the New Yorkers who had been slain by terrorists, eight years prior. But what the people witnessed Friday night in the Garden was beyond the wildest expectations of any avid hip-hop fan.

After Biz Markie finished up, a color guard stood on stage while the crowd recited the pledge of allegiance. This was followed by a Jimi Hendrix-style guitar rendition of the National Anthem. And then things just completely came off the hook.

The stage backdrop was of the fully lit New York skyline. Not long into the set, Hova was joined by Kid Cudi, onstage for “Already Home,” a new track from “Blueprint 3.” That was only the beginning.

The first few bars of “Run this Town” came through the speakers, and although singer Rihanna is featured on the track, there was no sign of her onstage. It would be her first performance since going on hiatus after a highly-publicized incident with former boyfriend Chris Brown before the Grammys awards show in February of this year.

Just as everyone was wondering “Is it Rihanna, is it really her singing live?” the singer herself came sauntering on stage and the crowd went bananas.How did she do? Based on the crowd’s reaction, she was on it! She was not about to be outdone by Kanye West who took the stage later during the same song.

The superstars did not stop coming. One after another:  Beyonce, Pharrell, Swizz Beatz, Mary J. Blige, John Mayer, and P. Diddy all made an appearance for at least one song each.

It was truly one of the most monumental performances in hip-hop.

Major props and hugs to @AleeshaSmalls and @Monee and @roc4life for the opportunity to document this amazing and inspiring event.