JAY-Z DECLINED LENGTHY RESIDENCY OVER FEARS OF EXHAUSTION
Hip-hop superstar JAY-Z refused to sign up for more than eight concerts to launch the new Barclays Center venue in his native New York because he feared he would be struck down with exhaustion if he extended the run.
The 99 Problems hitmaker will officially open the new home of his Brooklyn Nets basketball team on Friday (28Sep12), when he kicks off the first of eight gigs at the new arena.
Jay-Z, who became a first-time father to baby Blue Ivy in January (12), was initially only planning to stage three homecoming shows at the arena, but Live Nation promoters convinced him to extend the run due to overwhelming popular demand - and he admits eight was his absolute limit.
When asked by RollingStone.com what stopped him from playing a longer run of dates, he replies, "My stamina. When I got to eight, I felt like I would probably fall over from exhaustion."
The rap icon will have just one night off during the upcoming residency and wrap up the gigs on 6 October (12), and Jay-Z has warned fans not to expect any surprise guests - because he wants the spotlight all to himself.
He says, "No one's appearing, no one's performing. It's Brooklyn! This is my one chance to be selfish. Can't I? Can't I be selfish? Thank you. Just for these eight shows - then I'll get back to my Jay-Z & Friends shows."
The rapper most recently stunned devotees at his Made In America Festival performance in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania earlier this month (Sep12) by bringing out pals Swizz Beatz and Kanye West to join him onstage.