Jay-Z Dedicates "Numb/Encore" Performance to Chester Bennington

"Please make some noise so he can hear you all the way in heaven tonight!" the rapper says

By Zach Johnson Aug 21, 2017 11:35 AMTags
Jay-Z, Chester BenningtonJohn Shearer/WireImage

Jay-Z paid tribute to Chester Bennington at the U.K.'s Virgin V Festival Sunday night.

It was the first time the 47-year-old rapper had publicly mentioned the Linkin Park singer since Bennington committed suicide on July 20. "Can you guys light it up tonight for Chester?" Jay-Z asked fans at Hylands Park, where he rapped songs from 4:44 for the first time. "Linkin Park, one time—tonight. Please make some noise so he can hear you all the way in heaven tonight!"

After the performance ended, Jay-Z shouted, "Peace and love!"

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Chester Bennington Honored at Private Funeral Near California Home

Jay-Z's history with Bennington goes way back, as the hip-hop artist teamed up with the nu metal band for Collision Course, a six-song EP released in 2004. It debuted at No. 1 and went double platinum, and "Numb/Encore" won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 2006 Grammys.

In the wake of Bennington's death, Linkin Park canceled its tour so the group can grieve.

"Your absence leaves a void that can never be filled—a boisterous, funny, ambitious, creative, kind, generous voice in the room is missing. We're trying to remind ourselves that the demons who took you away from us were always part of the deal. After all, it was the way you sang about those demons that made everyone fall in love with you in the first place. You fearlessly put them on display, and in doing so, brought us together and taught us to be more human," Bennington's bandmates Rob Bourdon, Brad Delson, Dave Farrell, Joe Hahn and Mike Shinoda wrote on Facebook in July. "You had the biggest heart, and managed to wear it on your sleeve."

"Our love for making and performing music is inextinguishable. While we don't know what path our future may take, we know that each of our lives was made better by you," Bourdon, Delson, Farrell, Hahn and Shinoda added. "Thank you for that gift. We love you, and miss you so much."

If you or someone you know needs help, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.