Jay-Z lights up the stage at Assembly Hall

Jay-Z takes the stage at Assembly Hall Thursday night.
Dean Santarinala The Daily Illini

Jay-Z came to our hometown in Champaign and took us to his hometown in New York City.

"Empire State of Mind” resounded in Assembly Hall, with the New York City skyline illuminated on the big screens behind the infamous rapper Jay-Z Thursday night.

The House of Paign transferred from an Illini fan base to a Jay-Z crazed concert atmosphere. The crowd was dressed not in the usual orange, but rather “I Love NY” T-shirts. The basketball court was converted to a floor with fans jamming. Cheerleaders egging the crowd on were replaced with security guards working to contain it. The excited energy, however, remained the same.

Wale and N.E.R.D. had the task of warming up the crowd for Jay-Z.

“Pharrell goes hard,” said John Ratliff, a 21-year-old from Aurora. “He’s so cold.”

Rising from below the stage Jay-Z performed “Run this Town” to open the show. In black pants, an Abraham Lincoln graphic-tee, ice, a Yankees hat and “sunnies,” 39-year-old Jay-Z was dressed to impress.

And the Jay-Z song was on. Whether the fans knew every word to the rap song, or just nodded their heads to the beat, from the constant screams and camera flashes, it was apparent the audience was enjoying themselves.

“He’s never done anything that failed to make me happy,” said Paul Williford, senior in LAS.

Performing for about an hour and a half, Jay-Z kept the show moving by playing many snippets of his songs. No song every played for too long and with smooth transitions between songs the audience didn’t even have time to dust the dirt off their shoulders.

“I love his originality,” Williford said. “Whatever rappers are doing now, he’s done it in the past. Everyone is doing what he’s already done.”

At 11 American number one albums, Jay-Z surpassed Elvis’ record this September.

“Elvis has officially left the building,” Jay-Z said.

Aware of his popularity, Jay-Z commented on what a “cultural phenomenon” his song Big Pimpin’ was.

“Everyone knows where they were when Big Pimpin’ came out,” Jay-Z said.

With a simple request over 10,000 people were jumping on his command, screaming on his command or waving their hands on his command.

Fans came from all over to see Jay-Z perform. Kendra Morrison, trying to be forever young, drove in from South Holland to “rock out” with her son, a student at the University.

“He’s representing for the 40-year-olds,” Morrison said.

Never forgetting his fans, Jay-Z took time at the end of his show to thank the audience for coming out, pointing out people in the crowd and putting them on the big screen. Depending on gender, the members of the crowd were either his “homeboy” or “baby girl.”

“I appreciate everyone in this building,” Jay-Z said.

After emphasizing the importance of pursing big dreams, Jay-Z left the crowd with an encore of “Encore.”

“He speaks the truth,” Ratliff said. “He is so smooth; there is nothing he can’t do.”