Beyoncé makes surprise appearance as Jay-Z and 50 Cent go toe to toe at America West Arena
By THOMAS BOND
Get Out
July 29, 2003

50 Cent is a strong title contender, but wily veteran Jay-Z is still
the heavyweight rap champion.

Going toe-to-toe as co-headliners of the “Rock the Mic” tour, the
up-and-comer and the old pro put on a terrific exhibition of their
divergent rap styles Monday night at America West Arena, but the show
was stolen by someone who wasn't even on the fight card. Beyoncé
Knowles appeared in a short black dress midway through Jay's set to
duet on their hit single “Crazy in Love” from the Destiny Child
leader's debut solo disc as the crowd went loco.

“That was pretty surprising, I wasn't expecting that at all,” said
Keith Richardson, 18, of Ahwatukee Foothills.

The unannounced appearance seems to give credibility to the rumor that
the pair are an item.

“From the way he put his hand on her at the end (of the song), I
definitely think they've got a thing going on,” Richardson said.

Taking the stage made up to look like a military camp complete with
camouflage-clad dancers, Jay-Z hit hard with “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” and
“Hard Knock Life (The Ghetto Anthem).” The crowd of approximately
14,000 responded by rapping along with more gusto than they'd shown
during 50 Cent's set.

Sporting baggy shorts and a denim shirt with sergeant's stripes and
other military regalia attached, Jay-Z directed his army like a man
accustomed to being in charge. Indeed, he's been one of hip hop's most
consistent stars for nearly a decade and dipped deeply into his catalog
to prove it.

With the boom of bass and percussion obscuring the lyrical detail of
his songs, Jay-Z took special care to rhyme a capella in several
passages during the set and his flow was suitably impressive.

After the appearance of his purported paramour drove the crowd into a
frenzy, Jay-Z was understandably energized and blazed through his set,
finishing strong with his lifestyle anthem “Big Pimpin’.”

An encore medley with Mr. Z and his Roc-A-Fella crew reappearing in
natty suits was anti-climactic.

50 Cent's stage set was the New York City skyline and the rapper
appeared atop one of the buildings and leapt 10 feet down to begin his
set.

Clad in a red Emmitt Smith Cardinals jersey while his G Unit cohorts
wore the same thing in white, 50 launched into “What Up Gangsta” and
“Wanksta.”

During the second song, he stripped off the jersey to reveal his
trademark bulletproof vest but that, too, was gone after another tune
and 50 was shirtless showing of his considerable physique.

“He's sexy as all hell,” said Anna Portillo, 17, of Phoenix.

50 Cent continued strong with his breakthrough smash “In da Club” as
confetti rained down on the crowd, but momentum flagged when he left
the stage and a video recreating the nine bullets he took in a shooting
played on large screens while “Many Men (Wish Death)” filled the
speakers. Most of the crowd, which had been on their feet from his
entrance, sat back down.

Much more raw than the polished Jay-Z, 50 Cent lacked the commanding
charisma of his elder and his show became one-dimensional very quickly.
Gunshots punctuated the end of each song and his interaction with the
crowd consisted of exhortations to “make some (expletive) noise.”

50 Cent's set ended not with a bang but a whimper as the rapper plugged
his forthcoming Reebok sneaker and G Unit clothing line while tossing
samples into the crowd.