Jay-Z: 'U2's Bono Taught Me How To Perform Live'

He speaks ahead of Alexandra Palace show...

by Scott Colothan
Photo by Shirlaine Forrest
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
filed in: Hip Hop

Jay-Z: 'U2's Bono Taught Me How To Perform Live'

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Jay-Z says he learnt how to become a great live performer by watching U2's Bono.

The rap megastar, who plays a sold-out show at London's Alexandra Palace tonight, claims he was awful before he took inspiration from the U2 frontman.

He explains: "These days, I'm the shit, but I used to be a horrible performer. I was terrible. I'm not really an animated guy so I had to figure out a way how to convey my message and talk to people in compact movements, all the while, being entertaining.

"There is a very thin line between not moving and being boring. Bono knows how to exaggerate his movements and he knows how to have that conversation, without moving around much. He's a dynamic performer."

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