Sep 12, 2009 7:27 am US/Eastern
Jay-Z Delivers On Promise, Lights Up MSG
Rap Mogul Plays In Front Of 20,000, Donates All Profits To 9/11 Police And Fire Widows' And Children's Fund
By ROSS PALOMBO, CBS 2 HD News
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
On Friday night there was a tribute in music for the hero firefighters and police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice at ground zero.
Rapper Jay-Z took the stage at a special 9/11 benefit concert at Madison Square Garden.
"Is New York City in the house?" the entertainer asked the crowd.
The Brooklyn-born artist was marking the eight-year anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks by making his concert a complete contribution to families of the victims.
"Jay-z is so humble. I love how he gives back to the people. I just love it. He's great," fan Cheryl Canty said.
The Garden was packed with 20,000 fans, most with half-price tickets.
"This is my chance to do something to help out," Jay-Z said on a YouTube video.
He is putting 100 percent of the estimated million dollar profits towards the New York Police and Fire Widows and Children's Benefit Fund.
"We gonna have a good time. Bring your earplugs, because it's gonna get loud," Jay-Z said on YouTube.
"All that money going to the victims is great," Jason Philly said. "RIP for the person I lost."
Philly was there Friday night because he lost his uncle. Melissa Kerrigan lost a friend's father.
"We're here to celebrate life, and the people that are left behind, we remember them. But it's for a good cause," Kerrigan said.
But not everything was picture perfect on Friday night. Some family members felt victimized again, after low-priced tickets showed up on the Internet being scalped for thousands of dollars.
"I can't believe they would do something like this. It's sad," said Teresa Noel, who lost a son on 9/11.
But beyond that sadness and bad rap, it was mostly a uniquely inspirational celebration heard here Friday night.
"Jay-Z inspired me a lot to make me wanna change," Philly said.
It's a message of change meant for more community involvement tomorrow.
When asked about the real message behind some of jay-Z's rhymes, Deb Cafaro said, "I think it has some very profound meaning."
Added another woman: "I think he's talking to different levels of community so that everybody understands, you have to give back."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
2009 Celebrity Deaths
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments