英语文摘:Jay-Z, Kanye West host party for new LP

BEIJING, August 3 (Xinhuanet) -- A long line formed outside the American Museum of Natural History's Hayden Planetarium for a special listening of Jay-Z and Kanye West's upcoming Watch the Throne LP.

According to media reports Wednesday, there were plenty of photo opportunities as Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Pusha T, actor Idris Elba, Hov and Yeezy will attend.

But there would be no picture-taking, tweeting or sound-recording as all entrants had to turn over their phones, iPods and other electronic devices at the door.

After drinks and hors d'oeuvres, three separate groups were herded into the planetarium, which was much too small to accommodate all of the invited guests simultaneously.

Once inside, the music played to a light show consisting of orbiting planets, shooting stars and dizzying black holes.

The listening session opened in grand fashion with the regal-sounding "No Church in the Wild". "Lift Off" came next, with Beyonce interpreting the song. Then there were "New Day", "That's My Bitch", "Who Gon Stop Me" and "Made in America" performed by stunning singers and rappers.

The album closes with what could be another fan-favorite, judging by the reaction from the crowd: "Why I Love You".