Image Credit: Jeffrey R. Staab/CBSNot even the mayor of New York City can stop Jay-Z from giving the people what they want. You may recall that last week, Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s office denied Jay the permit he needed for a June 21 surprise performance atop the marquee of the Ed Sullivan Theater, where CBS’ Late Show With David Letterman tapes. So when Monday came around, the best rapper alive just went upstairs to the theater’s rooftop, where no permit was needed. (“The production decided to stage a performance on the roof of its building, which is private property, is not visible from street level, and is beyond the scope of our permit,” said a representative of the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting in a statement provided to EW.) Better yet, he brought a friend you might have heard of named Marshall Mathers.
Jay-Z and Eminem performed their 2001 collab “Renegade,” of course, as well as a selection of their own individual hits. Rap Radar already has tons of YouTube clips from the two hip-hop titans’ set, parts of which will air on this Friday’s Late Show. Will you be tuning in?
(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix)
More from EW.com’s Music Mix:
Happy birthday, Cyndi Lauper! You are 57 years awesome
Slipknot bassist Paul Gray died of accidental overdose
‘Fela!’ exclusive: Watch the Broadway hit’s ‘Water No Get Enemy’ video
Vince Neil talks about his first solo CD in 15 years
Crystal Bowersox slays “What’s Up” on The Tonight Show
Singer Vanessa Carlton reveals she’s a “proud bisexual woman”
Wish i could see these guys in Detroit (@ Comerica) or in NY (@ Yankee Stadium)…guess the you tube clips will do for now.
Can we get a link for the performance?
Yes I will — and not just because I DVR Letterman every night! LOVE Eminem and Jay together.
BeBe – there wouldn’t be a link to their performance until the show airs Friday night. Why would Letterman give that away before he airs it on his show?
Jay-z is the best rapper alive? Thats a joke! His last album was garbage, all of his songs are just a celebration of how good he used to be. I can think of so many rappers that are better then him right now. Drake, Cudi, Lupe, Kanye and Eminem are all better, just to name a few.
The mere mention of Drake just made this whole post invalid. Monotone autotune crooning? Puhleeze, that was so 2007. You, my friend, are the real joke.
Jeff CAN YOU READ???? clips are up on youtube ALREADY so says the article! Sheesh!!
I’m so tired of hearing people bash Drake, Jay, Wayne, Eminem etc. It’s just getting real old. if you don’t like them, more power to you but i’m just tired of reading it in every single comment section about these guys. I don’t even have the energy to write and complain about someone I don’t like this much. I love Em, Jay and Drake’s latest albums. Sorry if others don’t feel that way but I felt they were really good and no matter what, they are major steps ahead of most of the garbage coming out lately.
Oops got too excited and didnt see that this airs on Friday….Sorrrry Jeff
Jay-Z best rapper alive? C’mon EW. Vibe magazine dill a poll and Eminem was VOTED by the fans as the BEST RAPPER ALIVE! Get ur facts straight before u post articles.
I think jay is the best rapper alive,but tupac is the best rapper d world has ever produced
Agreed, though I think Rakim is a bit better than Jay-Z is.
Shawn is one of the greatest rappers. He’s one of few that got where he is on his own. Straight from the slums with no helping hands. His lyrics speak the truth and come from inside him not an outside source. And yes 2pac is def. Another of the greatest rappers. All I just said goes for him also so get atcha boy.
One must be a knight to get permission to perform on the Late Show with David Letterman marquee, as it seems, because Sir Paul McCartney has twice performed on a rooftop or building structure. Jay-Z and Eminem performing on the rooftop of the Ed Sullivan building, shouldn’t be that great, since they won’t be seen from the ground.
I am so excited to see two of the best rappers alive share the stage. I just got my tix for thier concert in NYC from charged.fm
thats a great thing to do instead of canceling the performance. i cant wait to see these two in detroit!