Jay-Z Introduced Michael Jackson To Summer season Jam Stage In 2001

Months earlier than the discharge of his critically acclaimed album, The Blueprint in 2001, Jay-Z carried out a memorable set on the annual Scorching 97 Summer season Jam. For over 20 years, Jay-Z‘s hour-long set has remained one of many hip-hop pageant’s most iconic moments, footage has confirmed tough to search out.

Till yesterday, when Jay’s set resurfaced through a YouTube account referred to as HipHopVCR.

The set consists of Jay performing a number of of his hits and debuting new tracks. He carried out “Takeover,” a response to Nas’ scathing diss observe “Ether.” “Takeover” was produced by Kanye West, who, on the time, was comparatively unknown. “Takeover” was focused at each Nas and Mobb Deep, notably one-half of Mobb Deep, late rapper Prodigy. In the course of the efficiency, Jay broadcast a photograph of a younger Prodigy in dance courses on the jumbotron.

In a while within the set, Jay introduced out Michael Jackson. Although the 2 didn’t carry out collectively, Jackson might be seen blowing kisses and tossing peace indicators to a roaring crowd.

Jay would later collaborate with MJ on Blueprint minimize “Ladies, Ladies, Ladies,” on which, Jay claims Jackson sang background vocals, regardless of not showing within the tune’s credit. In 2010, a tune referred to as “(I Can’t Make It) One other Day appeared on Jackson’s posthumous album, Michael. The observe was initially written as a collaboration between Jackson and Lenny Kravitz for Jackson’s 2001 album Invincible, however didn’t make the ultimate tracklist. It was later rewritten and recorded as “Storm” and included on Kravitz’s 2004 album Baptism, as a collaboration between Jay and Kravitz.

Although footage of the Summer season Jam set has remained scarce through the years, the efficiency has been held to excessive regard within the realm of hip-hop. Jay would reference the efficiency in a remix of Jeezy’s 2008 hit, “Put On,” rapping, “I put Mike Jack on stage at Summer season Jam, Billie Jean / I put Prodigy in his place on that Summer season Jam display.”

Try the total Summer season Jam set above.