A week in the life of Jay-Z
He performed with Coldplay, played his own show and talked politics with Andrew Marr. Elisa Bray looks at the schedule of the world's biggest rapper
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Your support makes all the difference.Thursday – Roundhouse, London
It's a relatively intimate venue for a hip-hop megastar who was watched by 100,000 fans at Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage last year and has sold several million albums worldwide. With tickets selling out in just 20 seconds, Jay-Z showcased new songs as well as hits in his hour-long set. It may have been a smaller venue than he is accustomed to, but Jay-Z went all out with an 11-piece live band, and a digital clock counting down his arrival onstage.
Thursday – overtakes Elvis' chart record
Jay-Z celebrated his eleventh number one album in America with The Blueprint 3, which puts him ahead of Elvis Presley and his ten chart-toppers. His next challenge? To crack the Beatles' record of 19 number ones.
Friday – Jo Whiley's house
Jay-Z went to his DJ friend Jo Whiley's house after she signed off her final Radio One weekday show after eight years.
Friday and Saturday – Wembley Stadium, London
Supported Coldplay on their stadium tour. At Wembley Stadium (the third and fourth shows on the tour), after his support slot, he joined Chris Martin and co on stage for their song "Lost", a collaboration already released as a remix single.
Friday – on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
Was a guest on the show alongside Sir David Attenborough.
Saturday – Whiskey Mist, London
After appearing with Coldplay at Wembley, Jay-Z went onto Whiskey Mist nightclub for an after party with friends. He had asked the club to install a television screen in the VIP area so he could watch the Floyd Mayweather Jr boxing match, but his hectic week of performances took its toll as he appeared to fall asleep in the middle, needing to be awoken by friends.
Sunday – The Andrew Marr Show
Jay-Z took off his shades and settled into an armchair opposite Andrew Marr for a heavy-weight discussion on black politics, tackling the war on drugs, and hip-hop music's need for change. He revealed that he has President Obama's number on speed dial, has the Beatles, Kings of Leon, Arctic Monkeys, Little Wayne, and Grizzly Bear on his iPod (as well as his own music), and stated that "rappers are the poets of our generation".
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