Jay Z Spits Woke, Nipsey Hussle-Inspired Freestyle At Webster Hall Re-Opening

BY Erika Marie 11.4K Views
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Jay Z
"Gentrify your own hood before these people do it," Jay rapped.

In 2017, New York suffered a loss when the iconic venue Webster Hall shut its door in what many believed was for good. However, it was announced earlier this month that Jay Z was lending a helping hand to restore the venue and on Friday night he kicked off the grand opening with a concert. The Tidal X: Jay Z B-Sides or "B-Sides 2" performance featured the hip hop mogul taking to the stage as he performed unique or rare material for fans.

There was a huge Rocafella chain floating from the ceiling and Nas stopped by to join Hov on stage. Complex reports that people were re-selling tickets for up to $1,000, making this show the place to be in NYC Friday night. The Roc Nation founder also took to the stage to spit a few new bars in a freestyle where he dropped knowledge to fans about reclaiming their neighborhoods.

Gentrify your own hood before these people do it
Claim eminent domain and have your people move in
That’s a small glimpse into what Nipsey was doing
For anybody still confused as to what he was doing

Back in 2013, the late Nipsey Hussle dropped his album Crenshaw, a record that he sold for $100 a piece at a pop-up shop in Los Angeles. Nipsey later explained to MTV that Jay Z purchased 100 copies because he "respects the movement."

"I got a DM on Twitter from a respected hip-hop journalist and he was just like, 'Hov respects the move, salute,' " Nipsey said back then. "A little while later, I got an email that came through my team that was like, 'Roc Nation, on behalf of Jay Z wants to buy 100 units. Who do we pay? When can we get the shipment out?' "

"They sent us $10,000, we sent them 100 CDs," Nip added. "I didn't get a chance to holla at Jay, but through his people, he made it clear that he respects the movement and everything. I was humbled by it. I felt like it was a good risk, and it ended up working out."


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 a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. 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, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.