Jay-Z and R. Kelly will revive their collaboration effort and will kick off the
nationwide “Best of Both World’s” tour together on September
30. The tour kicks
off in Chicago and will hit 40 cities in the United States before winding down
in Phoenix, Arizona on November 28th.
The “Best
of Both Worlds” tour is Jay-Z’s first major outing since his “retirement”
concert at Madison Square Garden in 2003.
The combination
of the two powerhouses in their respective genres is obvious – combined
the pair have sold over 55 million records. The tour will also support R. Kelly’s
8th album, Happy People/U Saved Me, which hits stores on August 24.
In April of 2002,
Def Jam canceled all promotions surrounding the collaboration album, due to
allegations that Kelly had sex with a minor.
After having $100,000
press day at New York’s Waldorf Astoria that attracted Russell Simmons, Johnnie
Cochran and Puff Daddy to name a few, the plug was been pulled to avoid any
negativity being placed on one of Def Jam’s top artists.
Jay-Z did not do
any press with Kelly and had his picture removed from the Vibe magazine which
featured R. Kelly on the cover.
A complete itinerary of the tour was not available at press time.