Watching the Throne

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Last night, I became the envy of millions as I had the privilege to "Watch the Throne," Jay-Z and Kanye West's collaborative effort to revolutionize the world of rap. Although these two have solidified their respective positions at the top of the rap hierarchy, spectators were so diverse. There was obviously an overwhelming following of avid rap fans, marked by the millions of diamonds held proudly in the air. But the Bell Center filled its seats with all kinds of different people. Proof that people still have a profound appreciation for raw talent.

I myself was one of those spectators with no expectations, considering my unfamiliarity with rap as a genre. Yet, as a stood among my friends who had finally unleashed their contained excitement, I was overwhelmed with awe. I can't remember the last time I left the Bell Center feeling so profoundly impacted by such an incredible performance. What was most rewarding, however, was seeing them smile in response to the roaring praise Montrealers communicated from beginning to end.

When the big screens behind the stage weren't projecting images of wild animals or both current and past global issues,  they closely zoomed in on the artists. This was the most interesting for me, as I felt as though I got exclusive insight into their world,  their side of the story. The camera often captured shots behind them, so that spectators could see the show from their eyes. There are no words to describe these images. A true sea of flashing lights and emotional chants. I can't imagine what it must feel like to see your success in the form of millions screaming your name and singing along to every word of your life's work.

The way the two Kings chose to dress was also incredibly reflective of their personal styles and performances. When they performed together, the contrast in dress was so representative of their current positions in the rap music industry. Jay-Z ignited the frenzy in his dedicated fans as he performed the old school songs that made him famous. He stayed true to his "all black everything" mentality throughout the entire show, complimented by his iconic New York Yankees cap. A true indication of an incredibly honest performance. Kanye, on the other hand, was dressed in the absolute height of fashion. Through his appreciation for unconventionality, he sported an over-sized Givenchy t-shirt over leather pants and a leather "man skirt." Even when total darkness took over, we could still follow the trace of Kanye's glow in the dark Nike Air Yeezy 2s. His appreciation for creativity and current fads was well reflected, solidifying his position as one of the most important relatively "new" (compared to Jay-Z) artists of today.

Towards the end of the 2 and a half hours of constant entertainment, Jay-Z yelled to the crowd "We're living our dream in front of y'all tonight." I am almost certain that every single spectator from the show would agree that they lived their dreams last night too.