Jay-Z apologized to fans after Sunday’s final Yankee Stadium concert started over four hours late.
Thousands of concertgoers were left waiting outside the Bronx venue when security temporarily locked down the entrances because of a security breach.
According to ABC7 New York, the problems started when a large group of people without tickets tried to rush through security gates. Police officers and stadium security responded by closing off the entrances, leaving ticket holders waiting outside.
“We got here a little after 8, went to Gate 2, they bum rushed Gate 2. Bum rushed. People went past security, were not checked and got into the stadium. They closed down Gate 2, we went to Gate 4, same thing happened,” a concertgoer named Rosalynn Glover told the TV station.
Videos shared on social media showed massive crowds of fans patiently waiting outside the venue as the delays dragged on.
Also Read: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Talk Journey From Cleveland to Hollywood Walk of Fame
The concert finally started around 12:15 a.m. on Monday, well past its scheduled 8 p.m. start. After taking the stage, Jay-Z apologized to the crowd, saying the concert was delayed to make sure no one got hurt.
“Let me explain the delay to you guys. It was like 10,000 people outside and they closed all the doors. Somebody rushed the door, and they closed the door for you guys’ safety and everybody’s safety outside,” he said in a video posted on X.
“I don’t want to start music and people get trampled. I felt really sorry for the inconvenience but I had to make sure everybody’s okay,” the rapper added.
Despite the late start, the concert featured surprise appearances by Rihanna, Usher, Jermaine Dupri, Jeezy, The-Dream, Swizz Beatz, and Teyana Taylor.
Fat Joe and Jadakiss joined Jay-Z near the end of the show to perform a version of Ja Rule’s 2004 single “New York,” before the concert concluded with Jay performing “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” and “Encore,” Revolt reported.
The “JAŸ-Z 30” concert series ran from July 10-12, marking the 30th anniversary of the rap mogul’s debut album Reasonable Doubt and the 25th anniversary of The Blueprint. Sunday’s “Extra Innings” finale combined music from both landmark albums.
Reasonable Doubt arrived in stores in 1996 and The Blueprint was released in 2001.
Next, the Roc Nation founder will take the tour overseas before returning to the U.S. He is scheduled to perform at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sept. 4, followed by Stade de France in Paris on Sept. 10. The tour wraps Oct. 23 at SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles area.
Discover more from Urban Hollywood 411
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
