If you’re having Jay-Z problems, well, Charlottesville feels bad for you, son.
Now, rather than debate just how long I’ve been waiting to use that line (O.K., since Gnarls Barkley performed in town and I dug up my copy of The Grey Album), let’s all just revel in the news and throw our Rocafella diamonds in the sky: From Marcy Projects to Madison Square, and now to our cozy coliseum, Jay-Z will perform at the John Paul Jones Arena on October 25. Ticket sales begin at noon on Friday, October 3. Ticket prices are currently listed as "TBA," which either stands for "Ten Billion Agnews" or, more likely, "To Be Announced."
Roc boy in the building tonight: Jay-Z performs at John Paul Jones Arena on October 25. is it too late to predict a sold out show?
The gig announcement comes nearly six months after The New York Times announced Live Nation’s $150 million contract with Jay-Z, in exchange for a decade’s worth of records, albums and more, a move that saw Jay-Z depart from Def Jam, where he served as president for three years. The move makes me curious as to how much Live Nation shelled out when it purchased locally based merch company Musictoday from Coran Capshaw. [Updated at 11am: C-VILLE reported previously that Live Nation dished out a total of $26.5 in two payments—$11.1 million for the first 51 percent of the company, then $15.4 million fo the remainder.] As it is, shares in Live Nation reportedly dropped following Live Nation’s similar marketing deal with Madonna (reported at $120 million), and the Times also reports that Live Nation lost roughly $12 million last year.
Jay-Z’s contract with Live Nation involves funding additional artistic ventures, and it looks like Mr. Carter has a few blueprints in mind. NME.com reports that Jay-Z plans to launch a record label called StarRoc with the Norwegian songwriting team Stargate. Before StarRoc launches, however, we’ll have to wait for one more Jay record from Def Jam: Blueprint 3, reportedly produced by Kanye West.
Sure, there are a few other musicians that I’d like to see pack JPJ, but darned if Jay-Z isn’t near the top of my list and still relatively close to the top of his game. Here’s holding out for Kanye in the future, provided he keeps his temper in check. Might be fitting to host Mr. West—his new record is out on December 16.