Watch the Throne Tour

On July 25, 2011, Jay-Z and West announced the release of their collaborative studio album Watch the Throne and an accompanying tour. The album was set for release on August 8, with tickets simultaneously being made available for the Watch the Throne Tour's North American leg from September 22 to November 3, 2011.{{cite magazine|last=Perpetua|first=Matthew|title=Jay-Z and Kanye West Announce 'Watch the Throne' Tour|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-access=limited|date=July 25, 2011|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jay-z-and-kanye-west-announce-watch-the-throne-tour-187013/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512040342/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jay-z-and-kanye-west-announce-watch-the-throne-tour-187013/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 12, 2019|access-date=February 6, 2025}} On February 21, 2012, Jay-Z and West announced 12 European tour dates running from May 20 to June 13.{{cite web|title=Jay-Z & Kanye West UK Tour Dates Announced|publisher=MTV UK|date=February 21, 2012|url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/jay-z-kanye-west/349025-jay-z-kanye-west-watch-the-throne-uk-dates-tickets-info|access-date=February 7, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325182104/https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/jay-z-kanye-west/349025-jay-z-kanye-west-watch-the-throne-uk-dates-tickets-info|archive-date=March 25, 2012|url-status=dead}} Three tour dates at The O2 Arena in London and one at Manchester Arena were added three days later, starting the tour earlier on May 18 with one of the London concerts.{{cite magazine|title=Kanye West & Jay Z Add Four More Dates To 'Watch The Throne' Tour|magazine=DIY|date=February 24, 2012|url=https://diymag.com/news/kanye-west-jay-z-add-four-more-dates-to-watch-the-throne-tour|access-date=February 7, 2025}} On March 5, 2012, Jay-Z and West added dates in Birmingham, Sheffield, and Cologne after a strong response to their announcement of the tour's European leg, running up until June 22.{{cite web|last=Kujundzic|first=Petar|title=Kanye West and Jay-Z add dates to Watch the Throne European tour|publisher=Hypebeast|date=March 5, 2012|url=https://hypebeast.com/2012/3/kanye-west-and-jay-z-add-dates-to-watch-the-throne-tour|access-date=February 7, 2025}}

The tour's shows began with West and Jay-Z "emerging on two cube-shaped mini stages to the operatic sounds of "H•A•M". Following that, "Who Gon Stop Me" was the next song, with "Otis" being performed with "a Givenchy – designed American flag flashing on the stage's main screens" after an extended introduction using "Try a Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding. Afterwards, West left the stage, and Jay-Z performed songs like "Where I'm From" and "Empire State of Mind", encouraging the audience to sing along. Kanye returned to the stage afterwards, performing his own songs like "Power", "Touch the Sky", and "Gold Digger", with the two of them eventually performing songs like "Run This Town", "Monster" and the remix of "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" together, where Jay-Z repeatedly told the crowd to "put your diamonds up", the sign for Roc Nation.

Mixing hits from both artists discographies like "Can't Tell Me Nothing", "Good Life", "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" and "99 Problems", the show then segued into West performing "Runaway" and "Heartless", which has been described as an "emotional highlight of the show". The most energetic part of the show has been reported to be during "Niggas in Paris" as "the track's Will Ferrell intro ("We're gonna skate to one song and one song only") brought on the moment that everyone was waiting for." "Niggas in Paris" was originally performed three times in a row, but as the tour progressed, the song was regularly performed up to ten times in succession, with the record being 11 times in Paris, France.{{cite web|last=BET Staff|title=Jay-Z and Kanye West Kick Off Tour|publisher=Black Entertainment Television news|date=October 29, 2011|url=https://www.bet.com/article/ty59n7/jay-z-and-kanye-west-kick-off-tour|access-date=October 29, 2011}} Following other Watch the Throne tracks like "No Church in the Wild" and "Lift Off", the show ended with "Encore" and an rendition of "Made in America", complete with images of Martin Luther King Jr. and "sweet brother" Malcolm X flashing on the big screen. USA Today described the stage design:

This show was visually spectacular. There was a main, T-shaped stage where both entertainers performed together, and also two cube-shaped mini stages, one at each end of the arena, that rose and lowered at various points during the show. West and Jay-Z performed separately on these cubes, which showed various images (a snarling Rottweiler, a swimming shark) at different points of the show. Fireballs the size of car tires shot from the floor toward the ceiling during some performances. Two large video screens behind the main stage showed appropriate images during the performances; a virtually non-stop laser light show added to the oomph factor.

File:Jay-Z Kanye WTT Tour.jpg

Critical reception towards the tour was positive. MTV News gave the opening show a good review, writing "While the WTT album has been noted for its opulent displays of wealth, Hov and Yeezy's show will be marked by the duo's overabundance of hit records."{{cite web|last=Markman|first=Rob|title=Jay-Z, Kanye West's Throne Tour Has Thrilling Liftoff|publisher=MTV News|date= October 29, 2011|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1673399/kanye-west-jay-z-watch-the-throne-tour.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111031001455/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1673399/kanye-west-jay-z-watch-the-throne-tour.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 31, 2011|access-date=October 29, 2011}} USA Today praised the duo's ability to get the audience excited, stating "at one point, as Jay-Z and West performed Niggas in Paris from their new hit CD, "Watch the Throne", West exhorted the audience to "Bounce! Bounce!" The resulting stomping had Philips Arena rocking and shaking in a way that it hasn't for the Hawks in a long time."{{cite news|last=Copeland|first=Larry|title=Jay-Z and Kanye's joint tour opens in Atlanta|work=USA Today|date= October 29, 2011|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/story/2011-10-28/watch-the-throne-kanye-west-jay-z/50991356/1|access-date=October 29, 2011}} Rap-Up mused "it was a crowning moment for Jay-Z and Kanye West as they kicked off the Watch the Throne tour to a packed house at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Friday night. The hip-hop kings, collectively known as The Throne, opened the most anticipated hip-hop tour of the year with a bang."{{cite magazine|author=|title=JAY-Z AND KANYE WEST KICK OFF 'WATCH THE THRONE' TOUR IN ATLANTA|magazine=Rap-Up|date= October 29, 2011|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2011/10/29/jay-z-and-kanye-west-kick-off-watch-the-throne-tour-in-atlanta/|access-date=October 29, 2011}} Idolator stated that the tour featured "an epic set list that featured selections from each artist's own behemoth catalog of hits as well as their Watch The Throne collaborations."{{cite web|last=Idolator Staff|title=Jay-Z And Kanye West Kick Off Their Watch The Throne Tour In Atlanta|publisher=Idolator|date=October 29, 2011|url=http://idolator.com/6060411/jay-z-and-kanye-west-tour-watch-the-throne|access-date=October 29, 2011}}

The tour has grossed $48.3 million so far by the end of 2011, making it the highest grossing hip-hop tour and the eighth highest-grossing tour of 2011.{{cite news| url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2011/12/u2-taylor-swift-have-highest-grossing-concert-tours-of-2011.html | work=Los Angeles Times | title=Pop & Hiss}} In 2017, Rolling Stone listed it in its list of "The 50 Greatest Concerts of the Last 50 Years".{{cite magazine |title=The 50 Greatest Concerts of the Last 50 Years |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-50-greatest-concerts-of-the-last-50-years-127062/black-sabbath-american-tour-107720/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=11 December 2019 |date=12 June 2017}} In 2019, Consequence of Sound named it the third best tour of the 2010s.{{cite web |author1=Tyler Clark |title=Top 25 Tours of the 2010s |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/11/top-25-tours-of-the-2010s/full-post/ |website=Consequence of Sound |access-date=19 November 2019 |date=8 November 2019}} The tour won best live stage show at the 2012 International Laser Display Association Awards {{cite web |title=2012 ILDA Awards |url=https://www.ilda.com/awards2012.htm |website=ILDA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410151003/https://www.ilda.com/awards2012.htm |archive-date=10 April 2021 |date=6 November 2012}}

In a 2011 interview with Rolling Stone, comedian Chris Rock said;

"This might be the greatest show I ever saw. It's the equivalent of the Billy Joel-Elton John tour, but if they did it in 1979, when the songs were hot!"{{cite web |author1=Paul Grein |title=Week Ending Dec. 11, 2011. Songs: Mariah's Christmas Gift |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-dec-11-2011-songs-mariah-christmas-014142349.html |website=Yahoo |access-date=14 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216041355/http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-dec-11-2011-songs-mariah-christmas-014142349.html |archive-date=16 December 2011 |date=14 December 2011}}

File:Jay-Z Kanye Watch the Throne Staples Center 5 (crop).jpg", "Gold Digger", "Stronger", "Good Life", "Heartless", "All of the Lights", and "Runaway" were performed during the tour.]]

File:Jay-Z Kanye Watch the Throne Staples Center 18.jpg", "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)", "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)", "99 Problems", "Dirt off Your Shoulder", "Run This Town", and "Empire State of Mind" were performed during the tour. ]]

1. "H•A•M"
2. "Who Gon Stop Me"
3. "Otis"
4. "Welcome to the Jungle"
5. "Gotta Have It"
6. "Where I'm From"
7. "Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)"
8. "Can't Tell Me Nothing"
9. "Jesus Walks"
10. "All Falls Down"
11. "Diamonds from Sierra Leone"
12. "Public Service Announcement"
13. "U Don't Know"
14. "Run This Town"
15. "Monster"
16. "Power"
17. "Murder to Excellence"
18. "New Day"
19. "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)"
20. "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)"
21. "Good Life"
22. "Empire State of Mind"
23. "Runaway"
24. "Heartless"
25. "Stronger"
26. "On to the Next One"
27. "Dirt off Your Shoulder"
28. "Touch the Sky"
29. "All of the Lights"
30. "Big Pimpin'"
31. "Gold Digger"
32. "99 Problems"
33. "No Church in the Wild"
34. "Lift Off"
35. "Niggas in Paris" (several times)

;Encore

{{ordered list|start=36

|"Encore"

|"Made in America"

|"Why I Love You"

}}

{{cite web|last=Bretbaf|title=Kanye West & Jay-Z Concert Setlist at Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA, USA on October 28, 2011|publisher=Setlist.fm|date= October 17, 2011|url=http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/kanye-west-and-jay-z/2011/philips-arena-atlanta-ga-23d1a82b.html|access-date=October 29, 2011}}

1. "H•A•M"
2. "Who Gon Stop Me"
3. "Otis"
4. "Welcome to the Jungle"
5. "Gotta Have It"
6. "Where I'm From"
7. "Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)"
8. "Can't Tell Me Nothing"
9. "All Falls Down"
10. "Flashing Lights"
11. "Jesus Walks"
12. "Diamonds from Sierra Leone"(Remix)
13. "Public Service Announcement"
14. "U Don't Know"
15. "Run This Town"
16. "Monster"
17. "Power"
18. "New Day"
19. "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)"
20. "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)"
21. "Empire State of Mind"
22. "Runaway"
23. "Heartless"
24. "Stronger"
25. "On to the Next One"
26. "Dirt off Your Shoulder"
27. "I Just Wanna Love U"
28. "That's My Bitch"
29. "Good Life"
30. "Touch the Sky"
31. "All of the Lights"
32. "Big Pimpin'"
33. "Gold Digger"
34. "99 Problems"
35. "No Church in the Wild"
36. "Lift Off"
37. Niggas in Paris

;Encore

{{ordered list|start=38

|"Niggas in Paris" (several times)

}}

{{cite web|last=Bretbaf|title=Kanye West & Jay-Z Concert Setlist at the O2 Arena, London, UK on May 21, 2012|work=The Independent|date= May 21, 2012|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/watch-the-throne--jayz-and-kanye-west-o2-arena-london-7770444.html|access-date=May 22, 2012}}

File:Penn Station NYC main entrance.jpg on November 7 and 8.]]

File:Air Canada Centre and CN Tower from Bay St.jpg]]

The following individuals were members of the Watch The Throne tour:

• Mike Dean
• Mano
• Omar edwards
• Noah Goldstein (engineer)
• Che Pope{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/russell-simmons-all-def-digital-announces-partnership-che-pope-kanyes-good-music-949610|title=Russell Simmons' All Def Digital Announces Partnership With Che Pope From Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music|last=Rys|first=Dan|date=November 11, 2016|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=August 8, 2020}}
• Renelou Padora{{cite web|url=https://www.papermag.com/kanye-west-in-his-own-words-1427550639.html?rebelltitem=23#rebelltitem23|title=Kanye West: In His Own Words|last=West|first=Kanye|date=April 20, 2015|magazine=PAPER|access-date=August 8, 2020}}
• Don C{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8472766/kanye-west-wgci-chicago-radio-interview-drake-donald-trump-don-c|title=6 Things We Learned From Kanye West's Chicago Radio Interview|last=Saponara|first=Michael|date=August 29, 2018|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 8, 2020}}
• Ibn Jasper{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/style/meet-kanye-wests-barber-18-years|title=Meet Ibn Jasper, Kanye West's Barber Of 19 Years|last=Woolf|first=Jake|date=November 15, 2013|magazine=Complex|access-date=August 8, 2020}}
• Izvor Zivkovic{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8266399/kanye-west-splits-longtime-manager-izzy-zivkovic-exclusive|title=Kanye West Splits With Longtime Manager Izzy Zivkovic: Exclusive|last=Brooks|first=Dave|date=March 28, 2018|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 8, 2020}}
• Virgil Abloh{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/style/2019/03/virgil-abloh-donda-off-white-been-trill-interview|title=Virgil Abloh Reflects on DONDA, Off-White, and Been Trill Legacies in Revealing Interview|last=William Cowen|first=Trace|date=March 4, 2019|magazine=Complex|access-date=August 8, 2020}}
• Alex Rosenberg{{cite web |title=Cruel Summer (2012) - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2169610/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast |website=IMDb |access-date=August 8, 2020}}
• Matthew Williams{{cite web|url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/alyx-studio-matthew-williams-interview/|title=Ex-DONDA and Been Trill Designer Matthew Williams Speaks on Alyx Studio|last=Leach|first=Alec|date=April 19, 2017|magazine=Highsnobiety|access-date=August 8, 2020}}
• Elon Rutberg{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7525633/yeezus-tour-narrative-kanye-west-creative-director-elon-rutberg|title=Kanye West Collaborator Elon Rutberg Talks Yeezus Tour Narrative Inspiration|last=Penrose|first=Nerisha|date=September 28, 2016|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 8, 2020}}
• Fabien Montique{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/style/2014/11/how-kanye-wests-creative-company-donda-is-making-its-own-brand-of-cool|title=How Kanye West's Creative Company DONDA Is Making Its Own Brand of Cool|last=Pasori|first=Cedar|date=November 3, 2014|magazine=Complex|access-date=August 8, 2020}}
• Tracey Mills
• Caitlyn Carpenter
• Hannah Christian
• Lara Holmes
• Ricky Anderson
• Sakiya Sandifer
• Justin Saunders{{cite web|url=https://hypebeast.com/2017/5/justin-saunders-jjjjound-vans|title=Justin Saunders on JJJJound's Vans Collaboration & His Internet Moodboard|last=Bray|first=Arthur|date=May 5, 2017|magazine=Hypebeast|access-date=August 8, 2020}}
• Drew Goodman

• Creative Direction & Set Design: Kanye West & Es Devlin{{cite web |title=Kanye West & Jay-Z - Watch the Throne Arena Tour |url=https://esdevlin.com/work/kanye-jay-z |website=Es Devlin |access-date=30 January 2020}}
• Additional Set Design: Bruce Rodgers
• Lighting Designer: Nick Whitehouse & John McGuire
• Video Designer: Geodezik

• London hosted the most Watch the Throne concerts (5), followed by Los Angeles and Paris (both 3).
• Rihanna made a special guest appearance on the third date (20 May) in London, performing her vocals on "Run This Town" and "All of the Lights". She is the only artist to have made a guest appearance on the tour.
• During the last date in London (22 May), Kanye West performed "Mercy" live for the first time.
• During the last date in Paris (18 June), at the 'Palais Omnisports de Bercy', they set a record, performing "Niggas in Paris" 12 times during approximately one hour.
• During the last date in Birmingham (22 June), Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian participated in the crowd mosh pit during the performance of "Niggas in Paris".

{{reflist|30em}}

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