Tony Royster Jr. is one of the best technical drummers around. But this vid also proves why he's one of the best overall drummers in the world: He plays according to the needs of the song. If the song needs a blazing, technical solo, he plays it. When the song needs a steady, groovy, simple beat, he grooves accordingly. Tl;dr: Tony Royster Jr. knows when and what to play on the drums. That's what makes him the best drummer.
+Philip Roa "He plays according to the needs of the song. " the only thing that matters! Technical playing or skill is worth nothing when it doesn't improve the song and make people move. Not a drummer myself but a guitarist but it's the same story with overly technical wanky guitar solos vs. playing simple tasteful licks.
andmer I agree with you, even with the guitar solos. Before moving on to solos, I believe musicians are to maximize their time with the basics. So for guitarists, it would be playing the G chord with such emotion and intensity. For drummers, its appreciating the groove of a simple four on the floor beat.
Everyone saying he's wasting his talent here. You guys are crazy, you can't possibly watch this and think that. He's having a ball of a time, I mean damn, I wanna go play now just after watching this. Playing an instrument is about fun and moving people. Sure looks like he's doing both of those to me here. It doesn't matter what kind of music you can play.
Fun they say that because he does get the chance to go nuts. Have you seen other performances? But I don't know that this song needs crazy chops (and I say this as a guy who loves crazy chops). I mean it could have them and I'd love it but the groove is so killer!
Dylan D'Alatri damn straight. This makes me wanna go play more then most of Roysters solos to be honest. This is what live music is about. Groove and show. mmmmmyes
DJFREE042089 fuckin ay. That's where i'm at with the arguement. I love grooving on this level instead of going crazy with solos to be honest. Infact i love watching it as well. Because it's so real, and it's what these dudes do day in day out
Showing off insane chops is pretty cool, but there is something special about playing ones part in a group of talented musicians without stepping out of what is musically neccessary.
Tony will always be in my Top 5 favourite drummers of ALL TIME. He is the most technically gifted drummer, in my opinion, and i'm absolutely over the moon for him to be playing with Jay Z as i'm sure he is! Living the dream!!
Tony is the JAYZ of drumming, it just works that way. if you notice this groove has the slightest swing on the double hi hat hit, and he nails it every time to create that street feel.
Anyone who is downplaying Tony’s skill here is just not tuned to music. This is an established song in hip hop’s pantheon of most monumental records. If you’re a fan of this record how Tony plays is exactly the only way to play this song. This song is what happens when the right rapper gets paired with the right beat and puts the exact flow, energy, into the words that just make perfect sense. I was in a stadium once live watching Jay Z perform this and it’s an experience!!!
Tony at his best! Groovin the ass off this tune! Tight as they come! Really refreshing to see him play a working gig. Holding it down AND giving a class A performance!
no doubt! i don't know how it worked out, but for jay to hire such an amazing talent speaks volumes for all the hard work tony has put into his drumming. if you think playing drums for jay z is easy, then you're certified nuts. look at his flow in the pocket. he's having FUN.
A lot of people are saying he's wasting his talent. Go watch Jay-Z's entire set live, and tell me those musicians are wasting their talent. He is also getting the recognition he deserves.
Lots of people are missing the point drumming is about feeling its a hard earned gift and talent. Do people not realize that in order to be one of the greats you have to be able to play all kinds of music that's what makes someone so appealing, the fact that they do not specialize in one genre of music but a variety of genres. I can certainly see Tony's passion thats what counts.
Well, for those of you that don't truly understand why he isn't chopping out, or doing anything advanced, including faster fills and such, you can't do that when you are performing like this. You cannot chop out because if you screw up, you are fired almost always on the spot (if you were in buddy rich's time frame) or let go after the performance. You can't say it is wasted talent. It shows that TRJ can play simplistic and not have to be advanced and fancy. That takes more talent than doing multiple drum solos and chopping out. Any drummer can do that. Not any drummer can keep a steady tempo and make things sound good like TRJ, Dave Weckl, Vinnie C, Steve Gadd, or any of that nature can. You don't always have to play advanced to be good. People need to stop saying that this isn't TRJ or things like that. He is showing another side of him. Keep that in mind.
also hes drumming for someone else/song if he started going all around the kit the crowed would go this dont sound like this song and the song would start to sound crowded
Are you kidding, that would be easy money. Being asked to play a show with an artists with such a status and high production value would pay so fucking well. Who cares if he's not playing as technically as he can, its not just about how difficult you can play, its also about how good the beat feels.
Wasting his talent? He's more than likely getting paid millions, and he looks happy and energetic as he plays. If he's "wasting his talent" then I want a talent like that, so I could "waste" it by making people happy and making a lot of money.
People came to listen to Jay z they don't need to know how great of a drummer is Tony and he is doing his job - just playin the groove!!! Well done Tony
I saw Jay Z live at the verizon center in DC a couple years ago with Tony Royster Jr, it was the first rap concert I ever saw live in my life and it was awesome.
He alternates two measures "behind" the beat (when he plays on the crash cymbal) and two measures right on the beat, or even a little bit in front of the beat (when he plays on the hi hat)
LMAO!!! At these comments talking about Tony wasting his time playing for Jay z. Dollars over pennies. Remember that. Of course he can play flashy but as a BUSINESS MAN, He's doing what is requested. PLAY IT LIKE THE GOD DAMN RECORD. Tony got his bread playing with Jay z. So keep on trolling.
***** For fucking real. Fucking wannabe musician nerds geeking out over his showoff videos, yall have no idea what kind of fun this must have fucking been for him, as well as the kind of payday it allows him to pursue his other interests. I enjoyed this video way more than his 'chops videos.' I fucking hate that chops shit. Who cares? It's not musical. This groove is fucking killing.
***** Your 100% right...just an amazing gig to have, regardless of the drumming required. Dream gig. Probably one the best paying gigs Tony has had?? Incredible drummer.
This was the perfect song for Tony to show how good he is even tho he doesn't do a lot of rips and rolls because the song doesn't allow him to he just keeps it simple and still kills it
I personally think that this is wasted talent. Don't go biting my fucking head off when you disagree, I am simply respectively stating my opinion here. Looking back on his solo performances, it shows that he's a really great drummer. It's just that when a drummer this good has to play in a form of music where he can't showcase any of his true talent, I consider it "wasted talent", because he is obviously better than this!
Kyöe I respectfully disagree. As a musican myself, I come to the conclusion that playin live is about enjoying what you love. So if he loves the song, and thats what it looks like eh, he's doin' what he loves. Also as an modern artist, it's not about how often you can hit the thing in one minute, thats been done in the 80's. It's about creating something enjoyable and also exploring your musical style.Just look at how much fun he's havin
I agree. Although I think there is a clip somewhere where Jay-Z gives him solo time. Nick Konstan is right on the money part. As long as the guy still has passion and puts it in his performance, might as well make a giant chunk of cash.
I feel you completely but you gotta remember if your playing for an Artist life Jay-Z you can go bustin all your chops open. The people came to see Jay-Z not Tony Roster.
He was not playing what he was asked. That's the key to being a great musician. Nobody gives a damn about the chops do that on your own spare time. If you wanna make a living off of this you play what you're told & nothing more. Sometimes less is more
I think you meant to say "He WAS playing what he was asked". Then it fits with the rest of your argument nicely. If you don't mean that, then you might be dumb.
This was strangely painful to watch. This was like hiring Mozart to play in your band...and then making him do nothing but scales. Seriously, I can appreciate Jay-Z, arguably the best rapper in the world, surrounding himself with top musicians, but watching Tony play like he's in Cinderella circa 1987 is just painful.
Jay Z is so lucky to be Tony's rapper
Haha Tony Royster Jr. Featuring Jay Z.
Alex Menendez :-D :-D lmao
Tom Hall Hey man, good day...
do you know what's the name of that song?
Thanks man...
Im not Tom, but its called Public service announcement ;-)
Tom Hall lmfao yea right drummers come a dime a dozen, piano and bass players have that prestige..
Can we talk about how perfect that snare sound is?
Indeed. But the hihat insane control always gets me..
Tony Royster Jr. is one of the best technical drummers around. But this vid also proves why he's one of the best overall drummers in the world: He plays according to the needs of the song. If the song needs a blazing, technical solo, he plays it. When the song needs a steady, groovy, simple beat, he grooves accordingly.
Tl;dr: Tony Royster Jr. knows when and what to play on the drums. That's what makes him the best drummer.
+Philip Roa "He plays according to the needs of the song. " the only thing that matters! Technical playing or skill is worth nothing when it doesn't improve the song and make people move. Not a drummer myself but a guitarist but it's the same story with overly technical wanky guitar solos vs. playing simple tasteful licks.
andmer I agree with you, even with the guitar solos. Before moving on to solos, I believe musicians are to maximize their time with the basics. So for guitarists, it would be playing the G chord with such emotion and intensity. For drummers, its appreciating the groove of a simple four on the floor beat.
I'm impressed with your ability to get your point across without jumping from subject to subject! Very well said, also.
Thanks Brandon Walker. I appreciate your words of encouragement. Those come from the heart of a musician and music aficionado. :)
+Philip Roa I love that you included a Tl;dr for a 3 line paragraph lol.
he was makin that hi hat talk so nicely! hahaha. great drummer man
Man that snare is cranked!!! Nothing better than listening to an amazing drummer hold back with a tight groove.
Everyone saying he's wasting his talent here. You guys are crazy, you can't possibly watch this and think that. He's having a ball of a time, I mean damn, I wanna go play now just after watching this. Playing an instrument is about fun and moving people. Sure looks like he's doing both of those to me here. It doesn't matter what kind of music you can play.
Fun they say that because he does get the chance to go nuts. Have you seen other performances? But I don't know that this song needs crazy chops (and I say this as a guy who loves crazy chops). I mean it could have them and I'd love it but the groove is so killer!
I'd kill to be where he was
and as he said, he is very well paid ! :)
Dylan D'Alatri damn straight. This makes me wanna go play more then most of Roysters solos to be honest. This is what live music is about. Groove and show. mmmmmyes
Whoever says he's wasting his talent must be crazy. This looks like SO MUCH FUCKING FUN if you ask me :)
He's beating the SHIT gotta them drums!!! And I'm loving every minute of it!!
definition of killin it "playing a simple song way better than its meant to be played, like tony royster jr is doing right now"
Playing these simple rhythms at this level of intensity is WAYYY better than any solo or advanced drum rhythms
DJFREE042089 Nah
Rohan Raj Yeah actually.
DJFREE042089 fuckin ay. That's where i'm at with the arguement. I love grooving on this level instead of going crazy with solos to be honest. Infact i love watching it as well. Because it's so real, and it's what these dudes do day in day out
+Mark Beasy yeah and Tony doesn't need to prove himself either, everybody knows he's a good drummer. It's cool seeing him just rock out
Showing off insane chops is pretty cool, but there is something special about playing ones part in a group of talented musicians without stepping out of what is musically neccessary.
Groovy beat, and you can literally see his soul into it. And that snare thouuugh
What's the name of the song? Tell me.
Tight hip hop beats played with heavy metal strength. I love it!
This clip still gives me chills!!! Tony Bodies this whole groove and of course the energy Jay performs with!!! All the hype man. Great feel
Jay z should release a version of this song with tony doing the drums in studio. Would be sick
agreed
BuLLeT2431 yes!!!! why isnr there a studio version of PSA in general
Tony Royster Jr. isn't Jay Z's drummer,
Jay Z is Tony Royster Jr.'s rapper.
Like that
Fact
hell yeah bro
You would think people of his talent would overplay the hell out of songs this easy, but he is really professional about it.
I remember meeting him in person years ago here in Dayton at Haur music. Definitely a phenomenal drummer.
I'm actually glad to see him playing just a simple groove for more than 5 seconds. You can still notice right away how ridiculously skilled he is.
You can tell how much fun he's having playing this song! Sometimes it ain't about chops....rockin out playin straight pocket is 🔥🔥🔥
Quem é fã do Tony Royster já assistiu esse vídeo mais de 10 vezes... Esse vídeo dele foi épico 👌🏽👏🏽💪🏽🇧🇷
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@@maxnata9701 Jay-Z - "Public Service Announcement
Foda
having a clean,nice,smooth pocket can take u anywhere
the fact that it is live and the sound is from the camera makes this video cool and the drums sound powerful
those hi hats sound toooooooo nice :D
one of the most technical and musical drummers of my generation, also he was a child drummer prodigy BEFORE you tube tutorials. lol
Tony will always be in my Top 5 favourite drummers of ALL TIME. He is the most technically gifted drummer, in my opinion, and i'm absolutely over the moon for him to be playing with Jay Z as i'm sure he is! Living the dream!!
This is not easy. Playing with that much energy is tough. A whole show like that? Respect.
You can almost touch the soul out of that groove :o
Tony is the JAYZ of drumming, it just works that way. if you notice this groove has the slightest swing on the double hi hat hit, and he nails it every time to create that street feel.
Anyone who is downplaying Tony’s skill here is just not tuned to music. This is an established song in hip hop’s pantheon of most monumental records. If you’re a fan of this record how Tony plays is exactly the only way to play this song. This song is what happens when the right rapper gets paired with the right beat and puts the exact flow, energy, into the words that just make perfect sense. I was in a stadium once live watching Jay Z perform this and it’s an experience!!!
Lots of people forget how hard it is to actually stay in the pocket.
if you love drums and you love jay-z then it doesnt matter how talented you are.....your gonna love doing this!!
YOU'RE!
Those hi hats sound fucking awesome!!! Sabian all the way
I've been watching tony since his drum solo at 12 years old....he sure has come a long way!!
love this video. Tony Royster the best!
Tony at his best! Groovin the ass off this tune! Tight as they come! Really refreshing to see him play a working gig. Holding it down AND giving a class A performance!
So much groove. This guy is such an epic drummer.
Jay-Z - Public Service Announcement (Interlude)
Omg I love this guy he is awesome when it comes down 2 playing drums hope 1 day I will love 2 meet this dude he's my favorite drum player!!
I wish there was more footage of Tony drumming at this gig. Awesome stuff.
no doubt! i don't know how it worked out, but for jay to hire such an amazing talent speaks volumes for all the hard work tony has put into his drumming. if you think playing drums for jay z is easy, then you're certified nuts. look at his flow in the pocket. he's having FUN.
He makes that snare sound so beautiful 👌🏻👍🏻👊🏻🙏🏻💪🏻
Every once in a while I come back here
An Amazing Drummer!!!!!!! This Kid Tony Royster Jr, Great job!!!!!!!!
A lot of people are saying he's wasting his talent. Go watch Jay-Z's entire set live, and tell me those musicians are wasting their talent. He is also getting the recognition he deserves.
and getting bank..POCKET PAYS PEOPLE..
So catchy! Every time I watch this vid I have that beat in my head for the rest of the day.
Lots of people are missing the point drumming is about feeling its a hard earned gift and talent. Do people not realize that in order to be one of the greats you have to be able to play all kinds of music that's what makes someone so appealing, the fact that they do not specialize in one genre of music but a variety of genres. I can certainly see Tony's passion thats what counts.
Well, for those of you that don't truly understand why he isn't chopping out, or doing anything advanced, including faster fills and such, you can't do that when you are performing like this. You cannot chop out because if you screw up, you are fired almost always on the spot (if you were in buddy rich's time frame) or let go after the performance. You can't say it is wasted talent. It shows that TRJ can play simplistic and not have to be advanced and fancy. That takes more talent than doing multiple drum solos and chopping out. Any drummer can do that. Not any drummer can keep a steady tempo and make things sound good like TRJ, Dave Weckl, Vinnie C, Steve Gadd, or any of that nature can. You don't always have to play advanced to be good. People need to stop saying that this isn't TRJ or things like that. He is showing another side of him. Keep that in mind.
also hes drumming for someone else/song if he started going all around the kit the crowed would go this dont sound like this song and the song would start to sound crowded
As if Jay-Z knows enough about music to be able to tell when Royster Screws up.
Flacid House Stop.
Oh that the glory of man should be laid down in the dust and the glory of God should be displayed forever...
Tony is a great drummer ! And he play a fantastic groove ! With energy !
This is the best playing of tony I've seen on youtube.
You haven't looked hard enough.
Are you kidding, that would be easy money. Being asked to play a show with an artists with such a status and high production value would pay so fucking well. Who cares if he's not playing as technically as he can, its not just about how difficult you can play, its also about how good the beat feels.
He hits so hard it’s like he hates the drums! Love the passion!
hell yea! And i sat here watching this whole thing as simple as it was and enjoyed the hell out of watching him lay into those drums
cheers mate!!! been nodding my head an hour now 8-)
i love how at 1:05 that snare hit just fills up the whole freakin' stadium
Wasting his talent? He's more than likely getting paid millions, and he looks happy and energetic as he plays.
If he's "wasting his talent" then I want a talent like that, so I could "waste" it by making people happy and making a lot of money.
People came to listen to Jay z they don't need to know how great of a drummer is Tony and he is doing his job - just playin the groove!!! Well done Tony
Awsome to see the footage from a drummers point of view
Damn look at all those white diamonds! Lol
1973charliemarcus hahh
interesting that he always switches between straight and shuffle feelin
It is a pleasure to watch him play the drums... I would pay good money to watch him.
I saw Jay Z live at the verizon center in DC a couple years ago with Tony Royster Jr, it was the first rap concert I ever saw live in my life and it was awesome.
He alternates two measures "behind" the beat (when he plays on the crash cymbal) and two measures right on the beat, or even a little bit in front of the beat (when he plays on the hi hat)
Thanks ! But less than Royster Jr 's ear!
LMAO!!! At these comments talking about Tony wasting his time playing for Jay z. Dollars over pennies. Remember that. Of course he can play flashy but as a BUSINESS MAN, He's doing what is requested. PLAY IT LIKE THE GOD DAMN RECORD. Tony got his bread playing with Jay z. So keep on trolling.
***** For fucking real. Fucking wannabe musician nerds geeking out over his showoff videos, yall have no idea what kind of fun this must have fucking been for him, as well as the kind of payday it allows him to pursue his other interests. I enjoyed this video way more than his 'chops videos.' I fucking hate that chops shit. Who cares? It's not musical. This groove is fucking killing.
***** Your 100% right...just an amazing gig to have, regardless of the drumming required. Dream gig.
Probably one the best paying gigs Tony has had?? Incredible drummer.
found this after six year it pumps me up!!
Love his energy. Love the groove.
made $15,000 that day
+JR S 15,000 will take care of him for 3 months.. i will love to have a job like him
aint easy to play like that, sir
Spot ! That’s not enough for him lol
alguém vendo em 2016 ?
eu kjkkjjk
hoop,
eo
29/09/2016 - 12:57
10/10/16 23:00
This was the perfect song for Tony to show how good he is even tho he doesn't do a lot of rips and rolls because the song doesn't allow him to he just keeps it simple and still kills it
It's amazing how he can take such a simple groove and making go so fuckin hard.
Maaan that pocket...
So locked in bro. I love it!!!
IKR..... he’s so far beyond being in the pocket that he could prob have skipped a few measures and still been in it
I don't like Jay-Z but he has an absolutely incredible drummer !!
Metalmac hes tony royster jr , i believe hes just playing for jay z on tours or something, idk for sure. look him up hes an incredible drummer
XXX GAMES oh man, thanks for the advice, but I already know this incredible man
So great, how the end of the first bar the bass drum is SO swung but for the second bar it is dead straight, He's the man.
Still 🔥🔥 in 2021 . When the snare hits, he got me
What is the name of the music?
TRAP M DRUMS Jay Z - Public service announcement
Kkk
And no one in that crowd knew who the drummer was. Guaranteed
I think I was the only one in the audience who knew him haha
Good drumming live. The best!!
That's why I'm so impressed with Tony. He can play this rhythm in his sleep but, still puts 110% into it.
song name?
+Albert Tourbe darude sandstrom???
+Albert Tourbe public service announcement
I personally think that this is wasted talent. Don't go biting my fucking head off when you disagree, I am simply respectively stating my opinion here. Looking back on his solo performances, it shows that he's a really great drummer. It's just that when a drummer this good has to play in a form of music where he can't showcase any of his true talent, I consider it "wasted talent", because he is obviously better than this!
Kyöe I respectfully disagree. As a musican myself, I come to the conclusion that playin live is about enjoying what you love. So if he loves the song, and thats what it looks like eh, he's doin' what he loves. Also as an modern artist, it's not about how often you can hit the thing in one minute, thats been done in the 80's. It's about creating something enjoyable and also exploring your musical style.Just look at how much fun he's havin
xLatch mass=mainstream music=not really music
I agree. Although I think there is a clip somewhere where Jay-Z gives him solo time. Nick Konstan is right on the money part. As long as the guy still has passion and puts it in his performance, might as well make a giant chunk of cash.
I feel you completely but you gotta remember if your playing for an Artist life Jay-Z you can go bustin all your chops open. The people came to see Jay-Z not Tony Roster.
I would play for jay z just for the pay check. Care less what anyone thinks about it or me if I was in this situation.
awesome drummer..and he's having fun playing. what a job..;)
U just can't get tired of this !!!
A. Christopher Johnson
I've never heard Tony Royster Jr. so dumbed down
POCKET !!!!
godspawn007 yup
Here for my daily watch of this 😂
This is one of the most inspirational videos I've ever seen.
He was not playing what he was asked. That's the key to being a great musician. Nobody gives a damn about the chops do that on your own spare time. If you wanna make a living off of this you play what you're told & nothing more. Sometimes less is more
Sylvester Felton stop hating hes blessed without you sir
How’s he not playing what was asked ? This dude is easily top 5 drummers holding the sticks right now ..
Wish youtube showed dislikes on comments
I think you meant to say "He WAS playing what he was asked". Then it fits with the rest of your argument nicely. If you don't mean that, then you might be dumb.
Boy what are you talking about? He played the pocket the entire time wtf
Is this at a country club, or a starbucks? Whats up with all the white people.
maybe he's in England.
It's obviously in Arizona you dumb fucks.
muhamed pampur Why do people have to be so aggressive, Jesus.
Love this dude mani love the charisma all the mood he bring to the table
man. it must feel amazing to hear all those people erupt after a song.
This was strangely painful to watch. This was like hiring Mozart to play in your band...and then making him do nothing but scales.
Seriously, I can appreciate Jay-Z, arguably the best rapper in the world, surrounding himself with top musicians, but watching Tony play like he's in Cinderella circa 1987 is just painful.
+MrRezRising No disrespect meant to Mr. Fred Courtney, of course.
RezRising nah man. This is pocket drumming at it's finest. A lot of discipline here and the groove is crazy. I love watching him while he's locked in.
Blake Warrens Always a good show, no doubt.
Do you even drum?
Aaron Medina lol if you don't drum hush bro
tony is one of the best drummers i've ever seen. search the one when he was 12... unbelievable.
No words needed. Magic happens right there!
Great Job Tony! Less is sometimes Best!
I can watch this all day.
t.royster is an awesome and is a well disciplined drummer who shows it by example......solo, concert,and on his videos.
Never put yourself down!!! You can contribute to drumming just as much as he did you just have to put in the time.
This needs to be looped
The way he does the hi hat chokes sometimes RR, then maybe RL, then maybe LR, then LL. DUDE. That shit is sick.
How fun man. Doesnt matter what you play as long as you enjoy it🤙 id play that beat all damn day haha!!
THE BEST live!
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