From the moment the 43-year-old Brooklynite strolls out and launches into his mammoth back catalogue, the heaving audience is completely enthralled, screaming back every word and – young person speak alert – throwing their diamonds in the air. (Google it).
It’s hard not to get swept away - Jigga has been releasing albums since 1996 and has had a zillion hits (or thereabouts) since then. Tonight, he picks and chooses from latest release – his twelfth, fact fans – Magna Carta... Holy Grail, Kanye West collab Watch The Throne, the iconic Black Album, 2000’s The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, and even his Linkin Park project, Collision Course. In other words, we’re talkin’ hit central here.
Choons aside though, it’s clear we’re watching an absolute pro tonight. “This ain’t no bullshit”, he begins. “Ireland is one of my favourite places to perform.” Reckon he says that to all the countries? Possibly. Nonetheless, Jay is so charming, you can’t help but believe him. Taking time out towards the end of the set to individually point out fans to thank (“You with the red hair - gawgeous!”), he manages to make the O2 feel intimate. More importantly, he endears himself to the fans while maintaining that undeniable air of absolute cool.
And then it’s back to business with set closers ‘HOVA’, ‘Hard Knock Life’ and ‘Young Forever’. When Jay suggests we “see if we can knock the roof off the building”, the crowd’s response is so deafening, your reporter feels a split second of genuine terror and wonders if this is the end. Thankfully, the building proves architecturally sound, and we exit en masse, thoroughly entertained by a true showman.