“This is a once in a lifetime set of shows and I know we’re both really going to bring it to our home towns” said EMINEM. “The fans are going to love this–and so am I. It’s gonna be historic.” Full EMINEM concerts have been few in recent years. His performance last October at the Voodoo Music Experience in New Orleans was his first full concert since summer 2005. His newest album, Recovery (Aftermath/Interscope), will be released June 22.

Said JAY-Z: “These shows are like a dream come true. I’ve always hoped that hip-hop could play any stadium like other genres of music. How perfect is it that Eminem and I get to play our hometowns and show how far the live rap experience has come? Fun and historic, a great combination all around the board.” JAY-Z is currently touring stadiums, arenas and festivals around the world in support of his latest #1 album, 2009’s Blueprint 3 (Roc Nation).

Since 1996, 10-time Grammy award winner, Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter has dominated the rap industry and set trends for a generation. Now in 2010, he personifies the “American Dream.” Founder and chairman of Rocawear, he is also co-owner of the NJ Nets, 40/40 sportsclubs, Translation Advertising and Carol’s Daughter skin line, as well involved in a partnership with Iconix Brand Group. After three successful years as President and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, where he fostered the careers of international stars Rihanna, Ne-Yo and Kanye West, JAY-Z entered into a partnership with Live Nation to form Roc Nation. Through Roc Nation, JAY-Z released the Blueprint 3, his 11th #1 album, putting him ahead of Elvis for most #1 albums by any solo artist. He continues his philanthropic work through his Water For Live initiative and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.

EMINEM has sold more than 80,000,000 albums worldwide and won 11 Grammy Awards and an Academy Award. After 1999’s quintuple platinum The Slim Shady LP, The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) and The Eminem Show (2002) became two of the Top 5 best selling albums of the 2000s, with approximately 10,000,000 copies of each sold in the U.S. alone. 2004’s Grammy-nominated Encore reached #1 and was certified quadruple platinum. The #1, double platinum, 2005 greatest hits collection Curtain Call: The Hits and #2, platinum, 2006 various artists compilation Eminem Presents: The Re-Up followed. 2009’s Relapse, the #1-charting winner of the Best Rap Album Grammy was, at nearly double platinum, the best selling rap album of the year. “Not Afraid,” the first single off his upcoming Recovery album, was released two weeks ago and soared to #1 on the iTunes chart, and debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week.

LOS ANGELES, CA – January 11, 2009 – After a stellar 2009, surpassing Elvis as the solo artist with the most # 1 albums, scoring a # 1 single with the anthemic “Empire State Of Mind” with Alicia Keys, performing during the World Series at Yankee Stadium, winning American Music Awards, sitting down with Oprah and staging a sold out 2009 tour, JAY-Z has added dates for his BP3 2010 North American tour. JAY-Z will make a triumphant hometown appearance on March 2nd when he returns to Madison Square Garden with a performance that is sure to galvanize New York City fans. He has also added a date at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville on March 5th. It was also announced today that R&B singer Trey Songz will join JAY-Z and Grammy-nominated rapper Young Jeezy on the nationwide tour. Tickets for the newly announced dates go on sale at LiveNation.com beginning on Friday, January 15th, with all other dates on sale now.

Citi® cardmembers will have access to presale tickets for the New York City date beginning on January 12th at 10am local time through Citi’s Private Pass® Program. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com. For the Madison Square Garden show, Citi® cardmembers will also have access to VIP Ticket Packages that include VIP Lounge seats, personal concierge, a private pre-show VIP party and more.

“Jay-Z is the greatest rapper alive. Anyone who was in attendance at his sold-out Key Arena concert Saturday night can attest to that fact. Hova, Young Hov, Jigga, Hovito, whatever you call him Shawn Carter is on top of the rap game and there were no signs of him stepping down any time soon during his career-spanning two-hour show.”
Seattle Post Intelligencer (KeyArena Review), October 19, 2009

The 2009 North American tour, a mix of 26 colleges and arenas, featured sold out dates including Pennsylvania State’s Bryce Center, UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion, Northern Kentucky University’s Bank of Kentucky, Eastern Michigan University’s Convocation Center, and the University of Massachusetts’ Mullins Center as well as, the KeyArena in Seattle, Kelowna British Columbia’s Prospera Place, Philadelphia’s Wachovia Center, Providence’s Dunkin’ Donuts Center and Baltimore’s 1st Mariner Arena.

For complete ticket, tour and on sale information visit LiveNation.com.

JAY-Z BP3 TOUR 2010

Feb 20 Sunrise, FL Bank Atlantic Center
Feb 22 Houston, TX Toyota Center
Feb 23 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
Feb 25 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena
Feb 27 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
Feb 28 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum Complex
Mar 02 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Mar 03 Washington, DC Verizon Center
Mar 05 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun
Mar 06 East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center
Mar 07 Norfolk, VA Scope Arena
Mar 11 Boston, MA TD Garden
Mar 12 Uniondale, NY Nassau Coliseum
Mar 13 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Spa & Casino
Mar 14 Detroit, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills
Mar 16 Pittsburgh, PA Mellon Arena
Mar 18 Chicago, IL United Center
Mar 19 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center
Mar 20 Indianapolis, IN Conseco Fieldhouse
Mar 22 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
Mar 24 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion
Mar 26 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center

Pre-sale tickets are available to members of the Jay-Z fan community on Jan 12th at 10AM and customers buying tickets in the presale or public sale can add the “Empire State Of Mind” t-shirt bundle which comes with an exclusive MP3 of the new anthem performed at Madison Square Garden as part of Jay-Z’s “Answer The Call” charity concert. Join the Jay-Z Fan Community here!

Platinum-Plus “The Blueprint 3” Scores Two Platinum Selling Singles!

JAY-Z Readies For BP3 2010 North American Tour

(New York, NY – Wednesday, November 18, 2009) – On the heels of unprecedented performances at the World Series and the New York Yankees’ victory parade, JAY-Z has scored a # 1 Billboard HOT 100 single with “Empire State Of Mind.” Featuring Alicia Keys, the song has become an unofficial hometown anthem. This is the first time JAY-Z has topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart with a song featured on his album. Previous #1 singles include, “Heartbreaker” with Mariah Carey, “Umbrella” with Rihanna and “Crazy In Love” with Beyonce.

JAY-Z’s landmark # 1 single is the second “The Blueprint 3” release to sell over 1 million copies. Both “Empire State Of Mind” and the hit “Run This Town” with Rihanna and Kanye West have been certified platinum. On the hit single, JAY-Z remarked, “Really, “Empire State Of Mind” is about inspiration, it’s about hope. I think that’s what connects with people.”

“Empire State Of Mind” is the latest single from JAY-Z’s platinum plus album “The Blueprint 3.” Selling over 475,000 copies in its first week, “The Blueprint 3” became his 11th # 1 on Billboard’s album chart, propelling him past Elvis as the solo act with the most # 1 albums in Billboard’s history.

Continuing the momentum of both the single & album, JAY-Z will perform on The American Music Awards, airing live this Sunday, November 22nd on ABC.

JAY-Z recently wrapped a 23 date college tour and looking forward to next year, he will embark on the BP3 North American tour in February 2010 (see dates listed below).

ON JAY-Z’s COLLEGE TOUR

“Whether throwing out casual comments to his audience or bending his knees and closing his eyes beneath the sunglassses rock star style to annunciate a point, Jay-Z had the packed, energetic audience all night.” – NATIONAL POST

“Still don’t believe the Democrats’ party line about a post-racial America? Then obviously you weren’t at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion Sunday night for Jay-Z’s absolutely outstanding show…. With Michael Jackson’s passing , there may be no other entertainer in the world able to unify such a diverse audience.” – OC REGISTER

Founder and chairman of Rocawear, he is also co-owner of the NJ Nets, 40/40 sports clubs, Translation Advertising and Carol’s Daughter skin line, as well as a partnership with Iconix Brand Group. After three successful years as President & CEO of Def Jam Records, JAY-Z entered into a partnership with Live Nation to form Roc Nation. The Blueprint 3 is the first release for Roc Nation. Just this year, he has made high profile appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, HBO’s “Real Time With Bill Maher,” “Late Show With David Letterman,” the MTV Video Music Awards and “The Jay Leno Show.”

JAY-Z BP3 2010 TOUR DATES:

Feb 20 Sunrise, FL BankAtlantic Center

Feb 22 Houston, TX Toyota Center

Feb 23 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center

Feb 25 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena

Feb 27 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena

Feb 28 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum Complex

Mar 03 Washington, DC Verizon Center

Mar 06 East Rutherford, NJ IZOD Center

Mar 07 Norfolk, VA SCOPE

Mar 11 Boston, MA TD Garden

Mar 12 Uniondale, NY Nassau Coliseum

Mar 13 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Event Center

Mar 14 Auburn Hills, MI Palace Of Auburn Hills

Mar 16 Pittsburgh, PA Mellon Arena

Mar 18 Chicago, IL United Center

Mar 19 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center

Mar 20 Indianapolis, IN Conseco Fieldhouse

Mar 22 Denver, CO Pepsi Center

Mar 24 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion

Mar 26 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center

Get your tickets here today.

Jay-Z: The BP3 Tour begins in Houston, TX on February 22, 2010, but you can get tickets starting today to see Jay-Z and Young Jeezy perform live in a city near you.

Members of the Jay-Z Fan Community receive special access to tickets and VIP packages to the Jay-Z: The BP3 Tour before the general public. Click here to get your tickets now! Not a member yet? Join today for special access to tickets and to receive special offers in the future.

And don’t forget, during your ticket purchase – whether purchasing during the presale or the public sale – you can pick-up our brand new ‘Empire State Of Mind’ bundle, featuring a t-shirt inspired by the new anthem and an exclusive MP3 of Jay-Z’s first ever live performance of the track, live from Madison Square Garden as part of his Answer The Call charity concert. Check it out here.

TICKETS GO ON SALE STARTING NOVEMBER 13TH AT LIVENATION.COM

LOS ANGELES, CA – November 5, 2009 – In the midst of his first college tour, promoting his latest #1 album The Blueprint 3 and his recently released video game sensation “DJ Hero: Renegade Edition,” the unstoppable JAY-Z confirms North American tour dates for 2010’s BP3 tour. The second leg of the Live Nation-produced tour will begin on February 22nd in Houston, Texas at the Toyota Center with more dates to be announced soon. JAY-Z will be joined by Grammy-nominated rapper Young Jeezy who will open all dates on the tour. Tickets go on sale beginning November 13th at LiveNation.com in select markets.

JAY-Z’s BP3 North American tour will make a cross-country trek in 2010 stopping at arenas in major markets including Houston, Dallas, New Orleans, Atlanta, Greensboro, Washington, Boston, Pittsburgh, St Louis, Indianapolis, Denver, San Jose, Los Angeles and more. Additional day of show and on sale information will be announced shortly for stops in East Rutherford, Uniondale, Atlantic City and Detroit.

Citi® cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning November 10th at 10am local time through Citi’s Private Pass® Program. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com. Citi® cardmembers will also have access to VIP Ticket Packages that include VIP Lounge seats, personal concierge, a private pre-show VIP party and more.

“Jay-Z is the greatest rapper alive. Anyone who was in attendance at his sold-out KeyArena concert Saturday night can attest to that fact. Hova, Young Hov, Jigga, Hovito, whatever you call him Shawn Carter is on top of the rap game and there were no signs of him stepping down any time soon during his career-spanning two-hour show.”
Seattle Post Intelligencer (KeyArena Review), October 19, 2009

“In a performance that had the feel of a stadium show, thanks to the scope of the production and the magnitude of the star on stage, Jay-Z did something remarkable during his encore Friday night. Even more remarkable than the tight, full-band renditions of stunners like “Big Pimpin’” and “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)” and more attention-getting than his flashy New York City skyline backdrop. He made individual members of the audience feel that they were as important as him, an entertainer with 11 No. 1 albums and an entrepreneur reportedly worth $150 million.” The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader (Penn State Review), October 14, 2009

The current North American tour, a mix of 26 colleges and arenas, has featured sold out dates including Pennsylvania State’s Bryce Center, UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion, Northern Kentucky University’s Bank of Kentucky, Eastern Michigan University’s Convocation Center, and the University of Massachusetts’ Mullins Center as well as, the KeyArena in Seattle, Kelowna British Columbia’s Prospera Place, Philadelphia’s Wachovia Center, Providence’s Dunkin’ Donuts Center and Baltimore’s 1st Mariner Arena.

For complete ticket, tour and on sale information visit LiveNation.com.

JAY-Z BP3 TOUR 2010

Previously announced dates:
Nov 07 Fresno, CA Fresno State University/Save Mart Center
Nov 08 Los Angeles UCLA/Pauley Pavilion
Nov 10 Austin, TX University of Texas at Austin/Frank Erwin Center
Nov 12 Champaign, IL University of Illinois/Assembly Hall

Newly announced dates:
Feb 22 Houston, TX Toyota Center
Feb 23 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
Feb 25 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena
Feb 27 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
Feb 28 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum Complex
Mar 03 Washington, DC Verizon Center
Mar 07 Norfolk, VA Scope Arena
Mar 11 Boston, MA TD Garden
Mar 16 Pittsburgh, PA Mellon Arena
Mar 19 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center
Mar 20 Indianapolis, IN Conseco Fieldhouse
Mar 22 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
Mar 24 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion
Mar 26 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center

*** More cities and dates to be announced soon.

Jay-Z’s Fall Tour is still going strong! Not only will Jay-Z be roc’ing the stage in key locations, but his tour also stars J. Cole, Wale and N.E.R.D.. Want to see if the tour stops in your city? Check out the dates below:

Oct 09 State College, PA Penn State/Bryce Jordan Center
Oct 10 Cincinnati, OH N Kentucky U/Bank of Kentucky Center
Oct 13 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
Oct 14 Calgary, AB Pengrowth Saddledome
Oct 15 Kelowna, BC Prospera Place
Oct 16 Vancouver, BC General Motors Place
Oct 17 Seattle, WA KeyArena
Oct 21 Ypsilanti, MI Eastern Michigan U/Convocation Center
Oct 23 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center (Powerhouse)
Oct 24 Providence, RI Dunkin Donuts Center
Oct 25 Amherst, MA U of Mass/Mullins Center
Oct 27 Baltimore, MD 1st Mariner Arena
Oct 28 Columbus, OH Ohio State/ Value City Arena the Schottenstein Center
Oct 29 London, ON John Labatt Centre
Oct 30 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
Oct 31 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
Nov 01 Ottawa, ON Scotiabank Place
Nov 07 Fresno, CA Fresno State/Save Mart Center
Nov 12 Champaign, IL University of Illinois/Assembly Hall

Get your tickets here today!