“There's no such thing as darkness; only an absence of light,” explained Jay-Z by way of introducing “Hard Knock Life” as Monday night's concert in Vancouver headed to its bittersweet conclusion.

Still looking lean at 48, hip-hop’s elder statesman came north full of hard-earned wisdom, which he dispensed on a regular basis throughout a show that had a packed Rogers Arena on its feet dancing from first beat to last.

“Can I talk to you tonight Vancouver?” asked the star, alone atop an elevated platform in the centre of the arena, a mere two songs into the lengthy set list. “Love always trumps hate. We gonna be alright.”

Confidently striding across his stage clad in a leather jacket with the message “Blind for Love” emblazoned on its back, Jay-Z had arrived in Canada as peacemaker and party starter.

Propelled by a live band stationed in niches around the stage, familiar beats crackled with fresh energy. “Lucifer” and “F*ck With Me You Know I Got It” provided the grit, while “Heart of the City” delivered the first of many arena concert participation moments, the crowd singing its chorus on cue, much to the rapper’s amusement. “We’re just getting started tonight!” he beamed.

He was right. A mid-show greatest hits package placed “Izzo (Hova),” “Dirt Off Your Shoulder,” “Onto The Next One” (performed behind a fog of dry ice in a rotating cage of lasers), “I Just Wanna Love U” and “Public Service Announcement,” one after the other. Minutes later the one-two punch of “99 Problems” and “Big Pimpin’” sent the already-inspired crowd into delirium.

If the night had been solely dedicated to the craft of partying, it would have been a triumph. But Jay-Z’s artistry isn’t afraid to dig into deeper emotional territory.

“This is the most uncomfortable song I’ve ever written,” he admitted as he introduced “4:44,” an open apology letter to his wife Beyonce, delivered (uncharacteristically) anchored to his mic stand. Two brief intervals for outfit changes were both illuminated by fascinating video montages showing multiple views of American blackness. Those strong, positive images contrasted jarringly with the racist stereotypes pulled from the video of “The Story of OJ” that accompanied the performance of the darkest song of the evening.

“We’re here to celebrate black excellence here tonight,” clarified Jay-Z, immediately proving his point by pairing “N*ggas in Paris” and “Empire State of Mind,” both received with rapturous receptions.

Eschewing the big finish, instead Jay-Z brought the show to an end with moments of contemplation, the sentimental “Smile” celebrating his mother’s same-sex relationship and “Numb/Encore” dedicated to the late Chester Bennington of Linkin Park with the reminder that “mental health is a real issue.”

Enlightened, magnetically charming and eye-wateringly wealthy, it’s impossible to know what the next chapter in Jay-Z’s remarkable story will hold. If last night was any indication, it’s going to be a lot of fun.