HOV TAKES TO MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

Hov took to the stage last night at Madison Square Garden for his 9/11 benefit performance. The NY Daily News reports:

Jay-Z's concert at Madison Garden last night may have commemorated something solemn: the anniversary of Sept. 11, with all its profits promised to the families of fallen police officers and firemen.

But the music he played couldn't have been more celebratory.

Backed by a 10-piece band, Jay-Z gave his studio recordings a level of liveliness and depth few live hip-hop events even attempt.

Two drummers pounded behind the star on classic hits like "99 Problems" or "Heart of the City."

A three-piece horn section landed its own punches, adding extra rhythms to the mix, while Jay's rhymes dodged in and out of the beats with a boxer's wily grace.

Jay-Z acknowledged the context of the event throughout the night, which opened with several city firefighters leading the Pledge Of Allegiance. Then, Jay-Z's guitarist offered a newly earnest take on Jimi Hendrix's once-subversive version of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

But Jay-Z came to praise, not criticize.

"Eight years later, we're even stronger," he said to the crowd. To prove it, he slammed into the commanding new hit, "Run This Town," with special guest Rihanna.

The surprise singer took her place in an award show's worth of starry walk-ons, including Mary J. Blige, John Mayer, Swizz Beats, Kid Cudi, Pharrel, Kanye West and, naturally, Jay-Z's main squeeze, Beyoncé.

Still, no one could upstage the self-proclaimed rap king. Jay-Z delivered scores of hits in sinewy versions, cutting out certain verses to tighten both the tension and the focus.

Jay-Z showcased his just-released "The Blueprint 3" CD, which refers back to his first "Blueprint" album, released on that fateful Sept. 11.

In new songs like "Venus Vs. Mars," he proved himself utterly up to date in his references (including one to Bernie Madoff) and his rap flow.

But it's the context of the show that gave these local anthems deeper meaning.

"We're here to celebrate life, to celebrate strength," Jay-Z said at one point.

And with music this hard, witty and sure, he captured the city's character triumphantly.

(Kanye West, Jay-Z, Rihanna)

(Mary J. Blige)

(Diddy)

(Beyonce)

(Mama Tina Knowles)