Jay-Z brings hip-hop to Hyde Park

Jay-Z had nothing to prove at the O2 Wireless Festival last night. Unless your name is Noel Gallagher, you must have been convinced by his show at Glastonbury last weekend - this rapper is one hell of a live performer. However, instead of resting on his laurels Jigga went and did it again, delivering one of the biggest parties Hyde Park has ever seen.

Mark Ronson warmed up the crowd nicely with some assistance from Lily Allen, Wiley and Tim Burgess, but there was only one star anyone really cared about yesterday. Strutting on stage with the nonchalance of man who plays to tens of thousands every other day, Jay-Z took a while to get warmed up, but once he dropped the double header of '99 Problems' and 'U Don't Know', it was hits all the way.

There are two main reasons why Jay-Z succeeds as a live act where so many of his hip-hop comrades have failed. First, he recognises that festival and arena audiences won't know all his tunes or appreciate his freestyle raps, so he kindly slips in samples from U2, Rihanna, Winehouse and even Aussie rockers AC/DC to liven up the party. Second, he's brought in a slick live band that breathes new life into the beats and grooves of his older tracks.

Some may have been disappointed that he stuck to his set from Glasto five days before - right down to the snipes at The Sun and George W. Bush - but nobody was moaning when he coolly worked his way through the likes of 'Big Pimpin' and 'Girls, Girls, Girls'. He even spared the time to praise individual audience members on the front row, suggesting that behind all the braggadocio and sunglasses Mr Beyoncé's probably a very decent chap.

The O2 Wireless festival continues over the weekend with headline performances from Morrissey, Fatboy Slim and Counting Crows.

Have you seen Jay-Z's live show? Do you think he's answered his critics? Just hit the usual button to leave your opinions.