The second TIDALX instalment featured none other than Jay Z. The mouthpiece of TIDAL, Shawn Carter has been facing criticism on whether the one-month old newly acquired company was worth the hype. On May 16th, Terminal 5 filled to capacity as Jay Z fans waited anxiously to experience TIDAL’s “Better Than Front Row.”
The day before the eventful show, I along with 99 other TIDAL subscribers received an email that we’ve been upgraded to VIP! I was beyond thrilled and upon my arrival with my plus one, we were treated like super fans. I had access to a full bar and of course, to be standing front row.
TIDAL wasted no time, the lights dimmed at 8:55pm, the band took their position by 8:59pm. By 9pm, the Dynasty Intro was blaring while you can hear Hov faintly spitting before he hits the stage. Rocking his TIDAL fitted oh so proudly Hov says, “They said it was B-Sides right?!” as he effortlessly goes into his Pump It Up freestyle.
Mr. Carter definitely took us on a ride as he did B-Sides from Reasonable Doubt, Streets Is Watching, The DynastyLP and brought out Jay Electronica for Exhibit C and Young Jeezy for Go Crazy. Not to forget Hov’s incredible TIDAL Freestyle dissing YouTube and Spotify:
You know I came in this game independent right?
Tidal, my own label, same difference
Oh, n—as is skeptical when it’s their own sh-t
You bought nine iPhones and Steve Jobs is rich
Phil Knight is worth millions,
you still bought them kicks
Spotify is nine million, they ain’t say sh-t
Lucy you got some splainin’ to do
The only one they hatin’ on
looks the same as you
That’s cool, I know theytryin’ to bamboozle you
Spendin’ millions on me to try to confuse you
I had to talk to myself,
Hov you should be used to it
It’s politics as usual
The highlight of the night was the reunion of State Property. To see Memphis Bleek take the stage for You, Me, Him, Her and Beanie Sigel hit the stage to do his verse along with Chris and Neef from the Young Gunz, the crowd went insane. Freeway touched the stage as well with What We Do. It felt like 2000 again. The embrace between Hov and Beans was heartwarming as well. TIDALX continues to blow my mind with great shows, J. Cole and now this free eve with the greatest of all time was worth the two-hour wait in the humid NYC streets. Make sure to subscribe to see what Mr. Carter will do for his second TIDALX show tonight. www.TIDAL.com
