Jay-Z’s final concert as part of his three-day Yankee Stadium residency was marred by hours-long delays – after hordes of fans broke through security, forcing the Bronx venue into lockdown, reports say.
Thousands of fans were seen waiting outside the home of the New York Yankees Sunday night – as the stadium was shut for more than two hours while law enforcement addressed the security scare, WABC reported.
The concert was meant to start at 8 p.m. but the gates didn’t reopen until around 10 p.m., and the “99 Problems” star didn’t take to the stage until 12.15 a.m. Monday.
Charlamagne The God, A$AP Rocky, and Fabolous were among the A-listers unable to enter the stadium, Variety reported.
“We got here a little after 8, went to Gate 2, they bum rushed Gate 2. Bum rushed. People went past security, were not checked and got into the stadium. They closed down Gate 2, we went to Gate 4, same thing happened,” Rosalynn Glover, who flew in from Atlanta for the gig, told WABC.
“We were at the suite section, they would not even let us in there.”
A group of unruly fans barged through the turnstiles and into the stadium, footage shared on TikTok shows.
Staffers in light blue polo shirts tried to stop the influx of fans from getting into the 46,543-seater stadium – but were unsuccessful.
Jay-Z, 56, apologized for the chaotic scenes when he took to the stage, the Hollywood Reporter reported.
“Let me explain the delay to you guys,” he said. “It was like 10,000 people outside, and we closed all the doors, and somebody rushed the door. They closed the door for you guys’ safety and everyone’s safety outside.
“There’s 10,000 people outside; I don’t want to start the music and people get trampled. I’m really sorry for the inconvenience, but I had to make sure everyone was OK. I appreciate your patience.”
There was doubt over whether the concert would go ahead.
Fans booed loudly when an announcement informing them a decision over whether the concert would still go ahead was still being made, according to video filmed by WOIO reporter Ashly Holder.
Usher was a surprise guest on night three for a rendition of “Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love).”
The gig ended with a spectacular fireworks display that formed the Basquiat crown – Jean-Michel Basquiat’s famous motif, which has become a black pop culture symbol. Jay-Z paid $4.5 million for Basquiat’s 1982 painting Mecca in 2013.
Jay-Z headlined the stadium for three nights and his concerts mark the 30th anniversary of his album “Reasonable Doubt” and 25 years since he released “The Blueprint.”
On Friday, the “Empire State of Mind” star brought out his wife, Beyoncé, and their eldest child, Blue Ivy, for surprise performances.
During his performance of “Can’t Knock The Hustle,” Beyoncé took the stage to sing Mary J. Blige’s part of the song.
The longtime couple — who tied the knot in 2008 — shared a kiss before Beyoncé exited the stage.
Blue, 14, played the piano for his 1996 song “Feelin’ It.”
Jay-Z is set to play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, on Sept. 4 and the Stade de France in Paris, France, on Sept. 10.
He will headline Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Oct. 23.
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