Jay-Z stopped a performance in California on Saturday in order to invite a fan onstage after discovering she was a cancer survivor. The rapper halted his show to read Christina Cruz’s sign, which read “I Beat Cancer 2X 2 C U! I LOVE U!!! SELFIE OR HUG?” After reportedly saying “I gotta give you at least a hug…could somebody help her around please?” Jay-Z posed with Cruz for numerous pictures while the rest of the audience applauded and watched the interaction with a sense of joyfulness.

The 48-year-old Brooklyn MC told the crowd that “this is exactly who my message was for”. Cruz posted on social media that it was the “best night” of her life and that “I can’t believe he pulled me on stage and I got to hug him not once but twice!”. She went on to tell BBC News that “meeting Jay-Z was a dream come true.” Christina is still said to be in shock over the whole experience and is grateful for receiving such widespread outbursts of support from fellow fans.

 



Jay-Z has every reason to be in good spirits this season. His California event was in support of his critically acclaimed 13th studio album titled ‘4:44’. The release has been nominated for 8 Grammys, which include record and song of the year as well as album of the year. The project was conceived with a refreshing honesty and comprised lyrics involving subject matters such as infidelity, family life, the state of hip-hop culture, stereotypes and generational wealth.

Jay-Z has to be respected for this humbling act. A lot of artists would have pretended not to see the sign and carried on with their shows. But Jay-Z took the time out of his performance to pay tribute to someone who has survived a terrible ordeal and did it because he thought it was right.

 



Written By:  Yohannes Lowe

George Millington