Jay-Z changes Kanye West’s famous lyrics in Cowboy Carter’s performance
Jay-Z stole the show during Beyoncé’s Paris stop on her Cowboy Carter tour with a subtle yet sharp change to a famous lyric.
Unbranded – Entertainment
Jay-Z and Ye are gearing up for their own headline shows in various major cities this summer.
The rappers will be on stage in New York City and London on the same weekend, July 10th, 11th, and 12th, respectively. The show has been the talk of the town online with fans and hip-hop experts debating who will put on a better set.
For Jay-Z, the “Excuse Me Miss” emcee will be performing at his hometown Yankee Stadium for the first time in more than a decade to celebrate a milestone anniversary in his career.
The first show will celebrate the 30th anniversary of their debut album, “Reasonable Doubt,” and the second will commemorate the 25th anniversary of “The Blueprint.”
Upon hearing the news, fans went wild to secure tickets, and in response to demand, a third performance, dubbed “Extra Inning,” was added to the lineup. The show will not be tied to any particular album, but will “build on the momentum” of the other two shows, says a release announcing the new concert.
Leaf’s upcoming performance sparks backlash
Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, is scheduled to headline Wireless Festival in London’s Finsbury Park.
“Eleven years later, Ye returns to London for a three-night journey through his most iconic records,” the festival says on its website. The Chicago native last performed in the UK in 2015.
Mr. Ye, who has been controversial in recent years with comments mocking both Jews and black people, appears to be making a comeback. He released his new album Bully earlier this month after taking out a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal apologizing for past comments. Yeh is also accused in two lawsuits of sexual misconduct by former employees.
His upcoming performance caused a backlash from local authorities. According to Variety, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has spoken out about the controversial festival move.
A spokesperson for Mr Khan told the outlet: “It is clear that this artist’s past comments and actions are disgusting, wrong and do not reflect London’s values.” “This is a decision made by the festival organizers and does not involve City Hall.”
Jay-Z, you guys have a complicated friendship.
Former collaborators and close friends, Jay-Z and Kanye West have had an on-again, off-again relationship over the years.
Recently, in 2025, Ye went on a now-deleted rant about the Brooklyn rapper and his wife Beyoncé on X. These included offensive jabs at the couple’s children Rumi and Sir.
Ye apologized for his comments, later writing in a post, “My whole dream was to apologize to Jay-Z,” Billboard reported.
During a surprise appearance on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour in Paris last June, Jay-Z changed the lyrics to “(expletive) in Paris.” He replaced the line “Maybe you’ll let me meet you” with “Maybe you’ll let me meet Bay.”
The song is a staple from Jay-Z and Ye’s 2011 album Watch The Throne. This collaboration earned them Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance at the 55th Grammy Awards.
Contributors: Anna Kaufman, Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY
Taylor Eardley is a news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at tardrey@usatodayco.com.
