Jay-Z has his 8 night residency at Barclay's Center and the question on everyone's mind is, who will be the opening act? A plumb assignment for any band, not unlike the way Dylan or the Stones get first tier bands to open up for them. Here are some suggestions.1. Rita Ora – Already big in the UK and signed to Rocka-Fella over here, the chances of her not breaking big Stateside is non existent. At the very least, there are a couple of sure hits on the album. Also, she is gorgeous, and she has the pop sensibility that Minaj thrives for. I bet she gets all 8 nights.
2. Azelia Banks – She won't get all 8 nights, but she is the best rapper since Nicki Minaj on "Monster" and she has tude to burn.
3. Good Music Crew – Kanye won't make it, true, but the rest of them will show up. Pusha T, Kid Cudi.. pretty wow.
4. Coldplay – Or maybe just Chris, readying himself for a solo career.
5. Beyonce – So far she has supported 4 with the Roseland gig I reviewed here, and a gig in Atlantic City I missed. So she must be gearing for a full tour by now… in which case, this might be a good place for a dry run.
6. R. Kelly – He is on the GOOD Music album, so maybe now is the time for them to kiss and make up.
7. Kanye West – Here is another guy who screwed us over, we never got the Dark Fantasy tour, instead me got stuck with the Watch the Throne. If ever there was a concert worth seeing, it was the one we didn't get.
8. D'Angelo – The greatest soul man of the 21st has done two opening sets for Mary J locally. At Jones Beach. This is where he should be.In Brooklyn.
9. Solange Knowles – The kid sister is excellent and may be ready to make a meeting between Brooklyn alt and hip hop. She's done it before.
10. Outkasts – It is time already, you've tried it solo and it didn't work.