After filming some hilariously awkward promos with Ryan Gosling earlier this week, Jay-Z performed on the Saturday Night Stage stage last night. Beginning with a rendition of "BAM" from 4:44 alongside his collaborator Damian Marley, Hov made a statement by wearing a custom No. 7 jersey with the name "Colin K" written across the back. Given the week the NFL has had following Donald Trump's comments about the kneeling protest that began with Colin Kaepernick, Jay-Z's choice to wear the jersey reflects that he stands with Kaep in challenging oppression and police brutality towards people of color in America.
In his second performance, Jay broke out the emotionally-charged title track from 4:44, taking center stage solo for the very personal song.
In September, it was reported that Jay-Z had no interest in performing at the Super Bowl, despite rumors he had been approached about the Half Time show. At the 2017 Meadows festival, he dedicated his track "The Story Of O.J." to Colin Kaepernick.
Later this month, Jay-Z is set to hit the road on his 4:44 tour. Support will come from Roc Nation signee Vic Mensa. View the full list of dates below.
Oct. 27 – Anaheim, Calif. – Honda Center
Oct. 28 – Las Vegas, Nev. – T-Mobile Arena
Nov. 1 – Fresno, Calif. – Save Mart Center at Fresno State
Nov. 3 – Phoenix, Ariz. – Talking Stick Resort Arena
Nov. 5 – Denver, Colo. – Pepsi Center Arena
Nov. 7 – Dallas, Texas – American Airlines Center
Nov. 8 – Houston, Texas – Toyota Center
Nov. 9 – New Orleans, La. – Smoothie King Center
Nov. 11 – Orlando, Fla. – Amway Center
Nov. 12 – Miami, Fla. – American Airlines Arena
Nov. 14 – Atlanta, Ga. – Philips Arena
Nov. 15 – Nashville, Tenn. – Bridgestone Arena
Nov. 16 – Charlotte, N.C. – Spectrum Center
Nov. 18 – Detroit, Mich. – Little Caesars Arena
Nov. 19 – Cleveland, Ohio – Quicken Loans Arena
Nov. 21 – Montreal, Quebec – Bell Centre
Nov. 22 – Toronto, Ontario – Air Canada Centre
Nov. 25 – Boston, Mass. – TD Garden
Nov. 26 – Brooklyn, N.Y. – Barclays Center
Nov. 29 – Washington, D.C. – Verizon Center
Dec. 2 – Uniondale, N.Y. – Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Dec. 5 – Chicago, Ill. – United Center
Dec. 6 – Lincoln, Nebr. – Pinnacle Bank Arena
Dec. 9 – Edmonton, Alberta – Rogers Place
Dec. 11 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena
Dec. 13 – Seattle, Wash. – KeyArena
Dec. 14 – Portland, Ore. – Moda Center
Dec.16 – Oakland, Calif. – Oracle Arena
Dec. 17 – Sacramento, Calif. – Golden 1 Center
Dec. 19 – San Diego, Calif. – Viejas Arena
Dec. 21 – Los Angeles, Calif. – The Forum
