Watch the throne

Last night I watched the throne.

For some, it was a opportunity to talk of the 99 problems they had (one being of flatulence as one of the guys next to me was suffering from!) and for me it was an opportunity to see two of my favourite rappers take to the stage with all of their subtlety and swagger as only Jay and Yaye can exude. Throw in there some Rihanna and you have yourselves a show!

Only it was not just a show. It was definitely something more. Both men still had something to prove and while one exuded lofty triumph, the other seemed to be mourning and wanted everyone to know about it.

With his divergence down the auto tune alley, Kanye would have had me believe that I was watching Keith Sweat or Bobby Brown with his songs of love loss and heart ache. His delivery was heartfelt, if a little out of place of the show. Yaye being Yaye is not one to keep quiet about his feelings so the solo provided him such opportunity.

On the other hand, I was reminded why Jay Z lyrics spoke to me when I was younger, the delivery of IZZO and Hard Knock Life in person moved me to sing/shout badly out of tune and sway in merriment. However, all the while, I saw a more mature Jay and when he delivered New Day, very simply, sat down on a stoop, I understood this mans rags to riches story and why, he can be excused for being showy.
Here in front of me was a strong black figure who has a strong black wife and with all the strength, has the class to stay humble and committed when not his stage persona.

Though Yaye doesn’t have the same level of class, I hugely respect his not letting up on what I believe he sees as ironic America. The auditory/visual layering of the show, Louis Armstrong, wonderful world alongside images of the KKK and Atomic bombing was certainly lost on some as they swayed drunkenly (and very much as a token gesture) it was more interesting to see both men turning their backs on the audience and looking at the imagery themselves.

It lasted for the best part of over 2 hours, and with no opening act, I was throughly satisfied and pensive by the end.

(It also helped that Paris was played SIX times to end the show… I wasn’t sure if the frames would hold up!)

Food diary update

This week I’ve eaten meat twice (Tues and Fri) and had alcohol twice (Thurs and Fri)…. I already feel better from less alcohol… Am glad that my shirts are feeling less constricting.