Jay-Z watches the start of Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on February 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kevin K. Cox/Getty Images)
At the Roots Picnic festival, Jay-Z made a rather touching announcement. Headlining Saturday's show with The Roots, he showed off a new look, sporting a full head of hair after years of dreadlocks.
The performance opened with "Hovi Baby" and included some of his biggest hits, but it was his freestyles that went viral. Throughout the set, Jay referenced several artists who had mentioned him in the past, including Dame Dash, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Tory Lanez, and his father.
«"Roc ain't falling apart/The leprechauns are out of pranks/Your son's in federal prison mumbling about having too much alcohol," he rapped, seemingly referring to Tory's father, Sonstar Peterson, who claimed "Roc Nation is going to fall apart" after Tory was sentenced to prison in the Megan Thee Stallion shooting case.
Referencing Nicki, who has repeatedly lashed out at Jay on social media over her Tidal stake and other issues, he rapped, "This lady's at it again / Seems like she's in love with them / Her Ken can't even... / Take their baby... / Enough of them." The line also appears to be a reference to her husband, Kenneth Petty.
Addressing Drake, who recently rapped on "Janice STFU" that "the game is over," Jay responded, "Game over? Nigga, I'm 10 spots up. Wrong chart, champ. You need to look up again. Niggas looked up to Hov; I never looked up to them.".
As for Dame Dash, Jay apparently rapped, "These niggas got their teeth falling out of their mouths, and for some reason I did it.".
There were also clear attacks on Ye, Jaguar Wright and others.
During his performance, Jay introduced Memphis Bleek and reunited with State Property members Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Peedee Crack, and Young Guns. He also invited Bilal, Meek Mill, and Jazmine Sullivan to the stage.
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