Have Hip-Hop Tours Come of Age? Jay-Z and DMX Make a Good Case

Rappers Jay-Z and DMX put on sizzling performances Saturday at the Arrowhead Pond, but the audience enthusiasm contributed equally to the electricity of the evening.

Because hard-core hip-hop tours have been so rare over the last decade, the young fans cheered every beat and rap with much the same fervor that rock fans may have responded with during the ‘50s and ‘60s when rock touring came of age.

“The Hard Knock Life Tour” is named after Jay-Z’s latest album, the multi-platinum “Vol. 2 . . . Hard Knock Life” and his hit single, “Hard Knock Life.”

Sporting a Shaquille O’Neal jersey as a nod to his appreciation of the West Coast, the Brooklyn artist flaunted his versatility by showcasing a variety of rap styles in his 55-minute set. Though he doesn’t have a lot of flash as a performer, he’s an outstanding rapper, and he put together a winning show with the help of several guests.

He was joined by Jermaine Dupri on “Money Ain’t a Thang” as well as Amil and Ja Rule on the bouncy “Can I Get a . . . ,” while Jay-Z protege Memphis Bleek popped up for his verse on the supercharged “It’s Alright” and fellow tour star DMX reemerged after his own set for “Money, Cash, Hoes.”

Cameos notwithstanding, Jay-Z kept his performance simple and straightforward. Sans props other than an illuminated “Jay-Z” sign toward the back of the stage, the rapper delighted the capacity crowd by simply reciting his rhymes and acknowledging their support.

On the opposite end of the emotional spectrum was DMX, who ran across the stage and emitted his signature growls throughout a 40-minute set.

Riding high off the success of his two albums, “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot” and “Flesh of My Flesh Blood of My Blood,” which have sold 5 million units collectively, the Yonkers, N.Y., rapper gave the crowd the type of gritty performance that has become his trademark.

While not as skilled a pure rapper as Jay-Z, DMX has more command on stage, relying on himself to generate heat rather than a parade of collaborators.

As he ripped through such hits as “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem,” “Get at Me Dog” and “Slippin’,” DMX swayed back and forth with authority. The flash that accompanied his performance came courtesy of the fireworks that erupted a few times during his set.

Though DMX has been criticized for the violent, menacing elements in his controversial recordings, he leaned Saturday toward the more mainstream side of his music, the tunes that have gotten the most radio airplay. DMX, who includes dialogues with God and the Devil on his recordings, even concluded his set with a spirited prayer about salvation and redemption that led to a standing ovation.

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Openers Method Man and Redman led the anxious crowd through a spirited 50-minute set that concluded with the pair being suspended by cranes over the patrons as they delivered their most famous duet, “How High.”

Method Man, the Wu-Tang Clan’s most successful solo artist, seemed to have the most fun of the two, rapping while special rigging held him upside down as Redman accepted a cigarette from an audience member and smoked it to the delight of the entire crowd.

In the end, the concert was a satisfying, smooth-running affair that suggests hard-core hip-hop may be ready to take its place on the nation’s concert scene.