Jay Z Delivers Surprise Performance at Diddy's Bad Boy Reunion Concert Following 'Lemonade' Drama

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Jay Z may be one of the most famous rappers of all time, but he hasn't forgotten his roots.

On Friday, the 46-year-old "Holy Grail" rapper made a rare on-stage appearance in his hometown during the opening night of Sean "Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Family Reunion concert at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.


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Jay Z shocked the star-studded crowd when he delivered a surprise performance of some of his hits, including "Public Service Announcement" and "Where I'm From." Mary J. Blige also made an unannounced appearance, joining Jay Z on stage to perform their popular '90s track, "Can't Knock This Hustle."

Many fans took to social media to share photos and videos from the memorable night.


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Ever since Jay Z’s wife, Beyoncé, released her visual album, Lemonade -- which features clear themes of infidelity -- the rapper has largely stayed out of the spotlight. But with this public performance, it looks as if he's been able to brush the dirt off his shoulders and move on from all the alleged drama between him, Bey, and "Becky with the good hair."

At one point during the concert, Jay Z also gave a shout out to the late Notorious B.I.G. (aka Biggie Smalls), a former artist on Bad Boy Records, who would have turned 44 on Saturday. The Bad Boy family honored the "Juicy" rapper by performing "I'll Be Missing You" with help from singer Faith Evans, one of Biggie's exes.

Diddy later thanked Jay Z for paying respect to their mutual friend, saying, "You've been there with me through my ups and downs. Whenever I get in trouble, this is the one I call."


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"This is my strategist right here, this my brother, this is B.I.G.'s brother, this is Brooklyn's own, Brooklyn!" Diddy continued. "That's why I appreciate you. He came from 5,000 miles away to come here to Brooklyn to represent for B.I.G."

The concert also included performances by Usher, Lil' Kim, Nas, Ty Dolla $ign, French Montana, Rick Ross and Busta Rhymes.


WATCH: Beyonce and Jay Z Spotted for the First Time Together Since 'Lemonade' Dropped

Last month, Beyoncé proved there's no bad blood between her and her husband during her first stop on her Formation World Tour. "I want to dedicate this to my beautiful husband," she told the crowd in Miami, Florida, before belting out a heartfelt rendition of "Halo."

To hear more on what the couple has been up to since the Lemonade controversy began in April, watch the video below.