I wasn’t at the Jay-Z September 11th benefit concert nor do I pretend to have been. I, like most people, watched it from the best seats in the house…well my boy’s house…on his big screen television. Still, the energy that Jay-Z created was able to be felt even through the screen. The show itself was in one word spectacular. From the first performance, it reached elevated heights. As soon as Jay started his set you knew that you were in for the time of your life.

The Roc Nation showed who runs not only this town but the game itself with a stellar rendition of “Run this Town Tonite”. Rihanna looked wild good with those legs that seemed to go on forever…and the ovation that she received as she walked down the stairs reminded people that her star power is still in tact. Kanye followed with a quick two song set. He started with a very strong performance of “Stronger” (pardon the pun), but his rendition of “Good Life” was crazy. Who needed T-Pain as Big Homie provided excellent back-up vocals? What’s better is Jay was able to stand back and watch as Lil Bro did his thing. If any of you ever had little brother or sister you understand seeing them shine. That right there was an extremely special moment. Seeing the multitude throwing up the diamond reminded me of the ocean swaying back and forth in a rhythmic wave brought goosebumps to even my cynical arms.

But it wasn’t just the members of the R-O-C that lit up the night. John Mayer impressed those that still didn’t believe. His medley of hits that Jay-Z didn’t perform exhibited a personal talent and passion. Make no mistake, Mayer was feeling the music. Then craziness exploded when The Diva : Beyonce arrived from outer space to bring her boss to the stage. In case anyone thought that she wasnt still the official number one, they were left looking rather stupid. Pharrell, who also provided Jay with a great stable of tracks as one-half of The Neptunes, helped to electrify the crowd with the classic, “I Just Want to Love You (Give it To Me).” The blend of old and new school tracks was perfect, and there to top it all off was the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige. She went in with a performance straight off the “Reasonable Doubt” album. As soon as she came out for “Can’t Knock the Hustle” MJB started to feel it all the way up to her knee high boots.

Jay-Z also shined on his own. He had a hard body performance of “You Don’t Know” and the crowd was so into it you would of thought they were performing. As hard as he went, nothing was more Brooklyn (no disrespect to anyone not fron there) then when he played ” Hard Knock Life.” All he did wad remind people of the brilliance of taking Annie and turning it into a track that everyone could relate to from the hardest thug…to someone who who lost a loved one on 9/11. Lest you forget that the concert was for those lost in the the tragic events of that day, there were reminders. As Jay-Z played his poignant track ‘Forever Young” against a backdrop of the faces of those lost on this day as it scrolled om the towers, he brought tears to even the most hardened soul.

A show is not a show in NY unless there is an appearance by Diddy. The last set of energy that he brought to the crowd before the show was over the top. All in all it was probably oe of the greaest shows ever performed. The energy amidst the somber atmosphere proved that in a nutshell.

Everyone who saw it will have their favorite moment at concert, whether it be a song or even when he got on the cat with the milkman outfit. Now he is known as the God MC but he showed his omnipotence when he remembered people from previous shows he performed. Now you tell me that isnt God-like?

Watch the concert below and give us your opinion….did you think it was worth an encore?