Jay-Z Brings Out Justin Timberlake & Pharrell At Paris Show

BY Erika Marie
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Jan 22, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA;  Recording artist Jay-Z gestures during the game between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Duke
Jan 22, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Recording artist Jay-Z gestures during the game between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Duke Blue Devils at the Petersen Events Center. Duke won 79-64. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
During Jay-Z’s Paris sold out show, Justin Timberlake made a surprise appearance for “Holy Grail” and “Until the End of Time.”

A reunion more than a decade in the making gave Jay-Z’s Paris crowd one of the biggest surprises of his latest stadium run. Justin Timberlake walked onto the stage at Stade de France Thursday (Sept. 10) night to perform “Holy Grail,” bringing the longtime collaborators back together for a song that once anchored their joint tour.

According to Variety, Timberlake emerged during the Magna Carta... Holy Grail single and stayed at the piano afterward for a performance of “Until the End of Time.” The appearance came as Jay continued his JAŸ-Z 30 shows, turning his anniversary celebration into a revolving door of guests from across his career. Moreover, Pharrell Williams made an appearance to perform his hit, "Frontin'."

“Holy Grail” arrived in 2013 as the opening track on Magna Carta... Holy Grail, with Timberlake handling the record’s chorus and opening verse. The collaboration became one of Jay’s biggest songs from the album, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later winning Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 2014 Grammys.

The two were hardly strangers onstage during that period. Jay and Timberlake spent the summer of 2013 co-headlining their Legends of the Summer stadium tour, where “Holy Grail” was a centerpiece of the set. Timberlake also featured Jay on “Suit & Tie” from The 20/20 Experience, giving the pair two major records together during the same stretch.

Read More: Jay-Z Brings Out Dave & Sampha At Second London Show: Full Setlist

Jay-Z’s Anniversary Shows Keep Bringing Out Familiar Faces

Timberlake joins an increasingly long list of artists who have appeared during Jay’s 2026 concerts. His three-night Yankee Stadium run in July included Beyoncé, Rihanna, Eminem, Nas, Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys, Usher and several other collaborators from different eras of his catalog. The shows commemorated 30 years since Reasonable Doubt and the 25th anniversary of The Blueprint. Variety reported that the final New York show stretched until roughly 3 a.m.

London got its own lineup of surprises when Jay brought the anniversary run to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last week. Both dates sold out, with guests including Giggs, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Dave, and Sampha across the two nights. The first show also fell on Beyoncé’s 45th birthday, prompting Jay to lead the stadium in singing “Happy Birthday” while she watched from a suite.

After Paris, Jay’s remaining announced shows are scheduled for Oct. 23 and 24 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming the Co-Head of Original Content. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, and Amy Luciani—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

Comments 0