Arts & Entertainment
 

Jay Z, Busta, 50 Cent 'Roc the Mic' at The Woodlands 

By Keenan Singleton
The Daily Cougar

It could have been the 90-plus degree heat. Yeah, that had to be it. But it was difficult to decipher if Saturday's event at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion was intended to be a rap concert featuring Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes and others or an old-timers game featuring, among others, former NBA stars Alex English, Rolando Blackman and Bill Walton.

Urban fashion's latest craze, the "throwback jersey" (antiquated uniforms from various professional teams) was the clothing of choice and rap was the music of preference at the Roc the Mic Tour.

By the time he closed out his 20-minute set with "Get Busy" it was obvious dancehall artist Sean Paul and the still-surfacing crowd at the CWMP were winded. Paul blitzed through his set, opening with "Gimme The Light," from his second album Dutty Rock. His set design and stage show were simple. A curtain in his likeness, three dancers, a DJ and hype-man were all Paul needed.

Despite a pyrotechnic display weaker than Popeye before ingesting his signature can of spinach, Busta Rhymes may have put on the best performance of the night. With sidekick Spliff Star at his side, Busta went through his extensive catalogue with a breakneck pace, which was fitting when he performed "Break Ya Neck." More contemporary songs included "Make It Clap," with Sean Paul re-emerging to perform his verse before Busta closed his set with "Pass the Courvoisier (Part II)." 

Fifty Cent is more lucky than talented, more looks than skill. More and more like LL Cool J, sans the incessant lick lipping. If Saturday's live performance is any indicator, 50 needs to spend more time in the studio, working on his lyrics and less time in the gym. 

With G-Unit members Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo flanking as dual hype-men, 50 ripped through a set that included his breakthrough hit "Wanksta," as well as current singles "P.I.M.P." and "Magic Stick." The song that made him a welcome guest throughout the suburban homes of America "In Da Club" was, surprisingly, since it is his best effort, not saved for last. 

As the de-facto headliner, Jay-Z was all business. Roc-A-Fella business. From a poorly placed commercial for 50 Cent's new G-Unit clothing line to surrendering the stage to his label mates in an effort to help their record sales (Memphis Bleek and Freeway among others), it's apparent that Jay has completed his metamorphosis from street hustler to Wall Street hustler.

Rumored girlfriend and Houston native Beyoncé joined Jay-Z for her song "Crazy in Love" and another Houston resident, Scarface shared the stage with Jay for "Guess Who's Back." Other songs performed included "H to the Izzo," "Give It 2 Me," "Can I Get A?" and "Fiesta (Remix)." To close, Jay-Z stripped from his army regalia to a stunning suit and cigar for "Excuse Me Miss."

Roc the Mic

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

The verdict: The rap concert of the century, but remember the century is only three years old.

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