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The greatest American gangster stories play out like ancient tragedies.
You meet a character whose skill exceeds his station and watch as his wit becomes wealth.
Eventually, his ambition spoils.
He loses his way.
Smart American rappers upend this narrative.
Its easy to miss some of this grit at a live show.
Jay-Z has prospered as a hitmaker long enough to bea mainstay at stadiums and festivals.
The feel-good, self-mythologizing records only tell part of the story.
The drive and uncertainty and nerve required to get to the big hits shines brightest in the deep cuts.
They also illuminate what a brilliant wordsmith, thinker, and performer he is.
B-Sides 2 dug deep, revisiting old album cuts, mixtape freestyles, soundtrack loosies, and guest verses.
The nights most memorable bits might be the guest appearances.
(You could tell these moments were special by former Roc-a-fella in-house producer Just Blazes reaction.
The howl the audience raised after each line was proof the words were well-received.
Some of the show actually was off the cuff.
Live hip-hop shows in the trap era get a bad rap for undervaluing craft.
Too many of them are propped up by backing tracks and fans enthusiasm.
