Roc the Mic: Jay-Z's Illest Live Moments

Hov's made hip hop history onstage more than once.

Is Brooklyn in the House? - Jay Z, who christened the opening of the Barclays Center in his native borough of Brooklyn in September, also ushered his beloved new arena into 2013 with a performance with Chris Martin and Coldplay on New Year's Eve. Go Brooklyn! (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

1 / 15

Roc the Mic: Jay-Z's Illest Live Moments - On New Year's Eve, Jay-Z recruited his friend Chris Martin and his band Coldplay to co-headline a sold-out show at Brooklyn's brand-spanking-new Barclays Center, which he's part owner of. Needless to say, they brought the house down. It was another triumphant night in a career full of them: Hov's live shows, filled with hits, all-star guests and landmark moments, are the stuff hip hop history is made of. Here, in honor of Jay's latest win, we run down his biggest onstage moments. Click on — it's a whole lot cheaper than a Barclays skybox. —Alex Gale (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Jay-Z and Eminem Take Over Yankee Stadium  - Resurrecting the magic from their 2001 duet "Renegade," Jay-Z and Eminem conquered the House That Ruth Built in 2010 for their Home & Home mini-tour, which also found them performing at Detroit's Comerica Park. Kanye West, Drake, Rihanna, Swizz Beatz, Dr. Dre, G Unit, Chris Martin from Coldplay and others made guest appearances. (photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

2 / 15

Jay-Z and Eminem Take Over Yankee Stadium  - Resurrecting the magic from their 2001 duet "Renegade," Jay-Z and Eminem conquered the House That Ruth Built in 2010 for their Home & Home mini-tour, which also found them performing at Detroit's Comerica Park. Kanye West, Drake, Rihanna, Swizz Beatz, Dr. Dre, G Unit, Chris Martin from Coldplay and others made guest appearances. (photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Hov, the Hardest Working Man in Showbiz - Jay Z is known for rocking a Yankees-fitted — or most recently a Brooklyn Nets one. But in reality, he's a man of many hats, much more than just a rapper, obvi. Hov will sell water to a well. In fact, he is selling water. Word is that Hov's Roc Nation has a new acquisition, a deal with NY2O. Cheers to that. And just to prove our point, here's a list of Jay Z's many other job titles. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the hardest-working man in showbiz. — Alex Gale and Dominique Zonyeé (@DominiqueZonyee)(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

3 / 15

Hov Makes Like Rocky - This past summer, Jay-Z headlined the Made in America festival, which brought out tens of thousand of fans to see Hov and an all-star lineup that he curated — featuring Pearl Jam, Drake, Odd Future and many more — on the iconic steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

"Can't Knock the Hustle" - Mary crowned a then-unknown Jay early on, interpolating Meli'sa Morgan's '80s R&B classic "Fool's Paradise" with timeless results. The song has gone on to become one of Hov's calling-card hits.(Photo: Walik Goshorn / Retna Ltd)

4 / 15

Jay and Mary Go for the Heart - In 2008, 12 years after they first connected for Jay-Z's classic "Can't Knock the Hustle," Hov reunited with Mary J. Blige for the blockbuster, 27-city Heart of the City tour. (Photo: Walik Goshorn / Retna Ltd)

Jay Fades to Black - Jay-Z's 2003 "retirement party" at Madison Square Garden — later the focus of the documentary Fade to Black — wasn't the farewell he promised, but it was history-making nonetheless, with appearances by the Roots, Missy Elliott, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Siegel, Freeway, Mary J. Blige, Beyoncé, Twista, Ghostface Killah, Foxy Brown, Pharrell and R. Kelly and Voletta Wallace and Afeni Shakur. (Photo: Paramount Classics)

5 / 15

Jay Fades to Black - Jay-Z's 2003 "retirement party" at Madison Square Garden — later the focus of the documentary Fade to Black — wasn't the farewell he promised, but it was history-making nonetheless, with appearances by the Roots, Missy Elliott, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Siegel, Freeway, Mary J. Blige, Beyoncé, Twista, Ghostface Killah, Foxy Brown, Pharrell and R. Kelly and Voletta Wallace and Afeni Shakur. (Photo: Paramount Classics)

ADVERTISEMENT
Hova and Nas Air Out the Ether - Four years after Jay-Z sparked rap civil war by debuting his Nas diss "The Takeover" at Hot 97's Summer Jam in 2001, he announced a new concert titled "I Declare War," implying that he was going to air out his foes once again. Instead, he brought Nas onstage, and the two publicly reconciled in front of the astonished crowd. "All that beef s--t is done, we had our fun," Jay said. "Let's get this money." (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

6 / 15

Hova and Nas Air Out the Ether - Four years after Jay-Z sparked rap civil war by debuting his Nas diss "The Takeover" at Hot 97's Summer Jam in 2001, he announced a new concert titled "I Declare War," implying that he was going to air out his foes once again. Instead, he brought Nas onstage, and the two publicly reconciled in front of the astonished crowd. "All that beef s--t is done, we had our fun," Jay said. "Let's get this money." (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

Is WTT II Still On? - Besides Jay missing 'Ye's wedding, hints that their relationship has soured resurfaced on June 7 when Kanye omitted Jay's name from songs he performed at the X Games in Austin, Texas. But what about Watch the Throne II? It was all good just a few years ago, when the duo had people from New York to France rapping along to "N---s in Paris." Hov even mentioned that he and Kanye have spoken about a WTT sequel. Is the unspoken tension in the air real, or can fans still look forward to another classic collabo from the two hip hop greats?(Photo: Jason Squires/WireImage)

7 / 15

The Throne Goes Worldwide - After wowing crowds across the world earlier this year with their teched-out Watch the Throne mega-tour, Jay and 'Ye capped their campaign of global domination by performing their smash "Paris" in Paris itself — 11 times in a row. (Photo: Jason Squires/WireImage)

Jay Lets the Dogs Out - Jay-Z helped resurrect hip hop mega tours when he headlined the Hard Knock Life tour in 1998, bringing DMX, Eve, Ja Rule, Method Man, Memphis Bleek, DJ Clue and others on the road with him. The tour later became the focus of the cult classic documentary Backstage. (Photo: woodstock1999.com)

8 / 15

Jay Lets the Dogs Out - Jay-Z helped resurrect hip hop mega tours when he headlined the Hard Knock Life tour in 1998, bringing DMX, Eve, Ja Rule, Method Man, Memphis Bleek, DJ Clue and others on the road with him. The tour later became the focus of the cult classic documentary Backstage. (Photo: woodstock1999.com)

26. "Run This Town" - Jay-Z feat. Rihanna and Kanye West - A ready made theme song for Obama's D.C. takeover, this superstar 2009 collabo resurrected the Roc with a heavy, guitar-driven beat, Rihanna's icy hook and memorable verses from Kanye and Jay.   (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

9 / 15

Jay-Z Answers the Call - On September 11, 2009, eight years after the attack on the World Trade Center — and Hov's landmark The Blueprint album, to the day — Jay hit up Madison Square Garden, his home away from home (until Barclays opened, that is), with proceeds going to the New York Police & Fire Widows’ & Children’s Fund. Rihanna, Kanye West, Diddy, Pharell and more contributed to the cause — and to another epic Jay-Z show. (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

The Best Rappers Alive - Back in 2007, frenemies Jay-Z and Lil Wayne were "on" again, and it showed onstage during the New York stop of Hov's intimate American Gangster tour. Weezy came out for "Hello Brooklyn 2.0" and then rocked "Duffle Bag Boy." During his cameo, Wayne pointed at Jay and yelled, “The best rapper alive,” and then gestured back to himself, saying, “The next rapper in line.” Can it be that it was all so simple then? (Photo: complex.com)

10 / 15

The Best Rappers Alive - Back in 2007, frenemies Jay-Z and Lil Wayne were "on" again, and it showed onstage during the New York stop of Hov's intimate American Gangster tour. Weezy came out for "Hello Brooklyn 2.0" and then rocked "Duffle Bag Boy." During his cameo, Wayne pointed at Jay and yelled, “The best rapper alive,” and then gestured back to himself, saying, “The next rapper in line.” Can it be that it was all so simple then? (Photo: complex.com)

ADVERTISEMENT
R. Kelly Freaks Out - What should've been one of Jay-Z's most triumphant onstage moments — he and R. Kelly joining forces at Madison Square Garden for their Best of Both Worlds Tour in 2004 — became one of the most bizarre when Kelly stormed off mid-set, claiming audience-members were waving guns. Right after, Kelly got into an altercation with members of Hov's crew backstage and ended up getting pepper sprayed. Needless to say, the tour collapsed, leaving a trail of lawsuits and salty interviews in its wake. (Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

11 / 15

R. Kelly Freaks Out - What should've been one of Jay-Z's most triumphant onstage moments — he and R. Kelly joining forces at Madison Square Garden for their Best of Both Worlds Tour in 2004 — became one of the most bizarre when Kelly stormed off mid-set, claiming audience-members were waving guns. Right after, Kelly got into an altercation with members of Hov's crew backstage and ended up getting pepper sprayed. Needless to say, the tour collapsed, leaving a trail of lawsuits and salty interviews in its wake. (Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2012/02/Music-02-01-02-15/020712-music-jay-z-carnegie-hall.jpg

12 / 15

Hov Conquers Carnegie - Jay-Z broke another barrier this past February when he performed on the lily-white, ultra-exclusive stage of New York's Carnegie Hall for the first time, accompanied by an orchestra, Nas and Alicia Keys.

Reasonable Doubt at Radio City - Jay-Z celebrated the 10th anniversary of perhaps his finest musical moment, his debut album, Reasonable Doubt, at one of the world's most prestigious venues, Radio City Music Hall. He performed the entire album — with an orchestra — in reverse, ending the night by inviting his wife, Beyoncé, to sub in for Mary J. Blige on an amazing rendition of "Can't Knock the Hustle," the song that's become the mission statement for his entire career.  (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images For Universal Music)

13 / 15

Reasonable Doubt at Radio City - Jay-Z celebrated the 10th anniversary of perhaps his finest musical moment, his debut album, Reasonable Doubt, at one of the world's most prestigious venues, Radio City Music Hall. He performed the entire album — with an orchestra — in reverse, ending the night by inviting his wife, Beyoncé, to sub in for Mary J. Blige on an amazing rendition of "Can't Knock the Hustle," the song that's become the mission statement for his entire career.  (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images For Universal Music)

Jay Salutes Jackie - Jay-Z's inaugural show in Brooklyn's Barclays Center, only a couple miles from his humble Marcy Projects upbring, was already a history-making moment. But the most poignant highlight was, no doubt, when Hov held up a fan's Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers jersey — a powerful reminder of how far Jay, Brooklyn and America had come.  (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

14 / 15

Jay Salutes Jackie - Jay-Z's inaugural show in Brooklyn's Barclays Center, only a couple miles from his humble Marcy Projects upbring, was already a history-making moment. But the most poignant highlight was, no doubt, when Hov held up a fan's Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers jersey — a powerful reminder of how far Jay, Brooklyn and America had come.  (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Amazing Music Documentaries - Brooklyn keeps on taking it. Yesterday, Dec. 4, Jay celebrated his birthday by releasing a 24-minute documentary that takes a look at his eight-show run at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, which he co-owns. He's seen performing, walking the arena, and even taking the subway to the arena before the last show. Here, in light of Hov's latest win, BET.com takes a look at some incredible music documentaries. Lights, camera, action. —Alex Gale(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

15 / 15

Grand Opening, Grand Closing - On October 5, Jay-Z closed out his crazy eight-show run at his new home field, Brooklyn's Barclays Center, with another sold-out performance—this time highlighted by a cameo from his wife, Beyoncé, who emerged to perform "Diva" and their 2003 duet, "Crazy in Love." Hov was so taken aback by his wife's image on the monitor that he missed his cue. (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)