Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesJay Z made a rare onstage appearance at the star-studded opening night of Sean "Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Family Reunion concert Friday.
Jay Z and fellow surprise guest Mary J. Blige performed their 1996 track "Can't Knock This Hustle." Jay Z also performed his 2003 hit "Public Service Announcement (Interlude)," which Diddy called his "favorite joint." On the track, Jay Z raps, "I got the hottest chick in the game, wearing my chain."
This marked his first stage performance in months and most prominent appearance since wife Beyoncé released her surprise visual, album Lemonade, which deals with marital infidelity and forgiveness.
Diddy thanked his friend for showing love and traveling thousands of miles to make it to the concert, saying Jay Z missed a recital to be there.
The show took place a day before what would have been the 44th birthday of The Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie Smalls. The rapper, a friend of Diddy's and one of the biggest stars of his record label Bad Boy Entertainment, was shot dead at age 24 in 1997 in Los Angeles.
"You've been there with me through my ups and downs. Whenever I get in trouble, this is the one I call," Diddy said onstage about Jay Z. "This is my strategist right here, this my brother, this B.I.G.'s brother, this Brooklyn's own, Brooklyn! That's why I appreciate you. He came from 5,000 miles away to come here to Brooklyn to represent for B.I.G."
Jay Z also gave a shout-out to Biggie before leaving the stage.
Also at the concert, backed by a choir, Diddy and Faith Evans performed their 1997 hit "I'll Be Missing You," which they had recorded to honor Biggie.
The concert was held at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, home of the New York Nets. Jay Z used to own stakes in the venue and the NBA team before selling both in 2013. Other surprise musical guests included Lil Kim, French Montana, Nas, Usher, Rick Ross, Ty Dolla $ign and Busta Rhymes.
Jay Z has largely remained out of the spotlight since Beyoncé released Lemonade in late April. Days after the record was released, Jay Z and Beyoncé were spotted riding a golf cart together before her concert in Miami.