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China squashes Jay-Z concert
Country's culture ministry objects to Hova's "vulgar" lyrics and refuses to let the rapper play a scheduled October 23 concert in Shanghai.
To China's Ministry of Culture, "My Humps" is OK.
Not welcome in China.
"Big Pimpin'"? Not so much.
The government agency has nixed a Jay-Z concert set for October 23 at Shanghai's Hongkou Stadium, saying it needs to protect local hip-hop fans from "lyrics about pimps, guns, and drugs," according to the state-run Shanghai Daily newspaper.
The move stands in contrast to recent decisions by the Chinese government to allow performances by the Black Eyed Peas and the Rolling Stones.
"Some of Jay-Z's songs contain too much vulgar language," Sun Yun, of promoter KS Production, told the newspaper.
"I look forward to rescheduling my concert date in Shanghai," Jay said in a statement. "This world tour has been a life-changing experience, and it has only been made better by touching the fans that I am seeing for the first time."
The cancellation is the first setback in Jay-Z's barnstorming return to the limelight as a rapper. After saying he was retiring from the rap game in 2003 and taking over as president of Def Jam Records a year later, Hova started making comeback moves earlier this year.
The Internet was abuzz with reports that Jay-Z was recording a new album, which he confirmed last month. Kingdom Come will feature production from Kanye West, Dr. Dre, Pharrell Williams, Timbaland, and Coldplay's Chris Martin. West will be featured on the album, as will Jay-Z's girlfriend Beyonce. Nas, the veteran Queens rapper with whom Jay-Z struck a much-publicized truce by signing him to Def Jam in January, is also set to appear on the album.
The album hits stores November 21.
Jay-Z's "Show Me What You Got."
"Show Me What You Got," the first single off the album, leaked onto the Internet last week. The Just Blaze-produced track features the saxophone riff from the Lafayette Afro Rock Band's "Darkest Light," which was also sampled for Public Enemy's song of the same name.
Jay-Z filmed the video for the track in Monaco last month with film director F. Gary Gray (Friday, Be Cool, and The Italian Job). The clip features NASCAR driver Danica Patrick cruising on the winding roads of Monaco in a sports car piloted by fellow racing star Dale Earnhardt Jr. Later, Jay frolics on a speedboat, at a luxurious party, and at a casino.
"I thought I was retired but my passion for music had other plans for me," Jay-Z said in a press release. "I am overwhelmed with the initial record breaking response!! I am happy to be officially back! The video/movie shot by F. Gary Gray is incredible. I can't wait til ya'll hear the album."
On the album's title track, which appears to sample the synth riff from Rick James' "Super Freak," Jay reassures his fans that he's back as hip-hop's savior: "The Bruce Wayne of the game / have no fear / when you need me just throw your Roc signs in the air."
Hova is in the midst of a two-month tour of 20 countries on three continents to raise awareness for the world's water crisis. The tour, in conjunction with the United Nations, will be chronicled in an MTV special debuting November 24.
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