Jay-Z stopped Oakland concert to hug San Jose cancer survivor

Jay-Z performs on his "4:44" Tour at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on Nov. 22, 2017. (Steve Russell/The Toronto Star/Zuma Press/TNS) Jay-Z performs on his "4:44" Tour at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on Nov. 22, 2017. (Steve Russell/The Toronto Star/Zuma Press/TNS) Photo: Steve Russell/The Toronto Star, TNS Photo: Steve Russell/The Toronto Star, TNS Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close Jay-Z stopped Oakland concert to hug San Jose cancer survivor 1 / 7 Back to Gallery

Jay-Z paused his concert in Oakland Saturday night to bring a two-time cancer survivor on stage.

That woman, whom ABC identified as Christina Cruz of San Jose, caught the eyes of the 48-year-old hip hop star with a glittery sign that read, "I beat cancer 2x 2 c u! I love u!!! Selfie or hug?"

"I gotta give you at least a hug," the 21-time Grammy winner said as he brought an ecstatic Cruz onto the Oracle Arena stage. A warm embrace and brief photo-op followed.

A post shared by #444Tour (@444thetour) on Dec 18, 2017 at 4:54am PST

The Jay-Z concert = incredible



Watching him bring a woman on stage who was holding up the sign “I’ve beat cancer twice. Selfie or hug?” = completely unforgettable



Recognizing true strength & putting on an amazing show. @RocNation pic.twitter.com/trlzvHxyCh — Taylor Stern (@TayStern) December 17, 2017

"Just know: You beat cancer twice, you can do anything," the rapper said. "Remember even in those dark times to smile. Always smile."

Cruz took to her Instagram after the concert to gush: "I can't believe he pulled me on stage and I got to hug him not once but twice," she wrote.

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According to ABC, 37-year-old Cruz is 14 months in remission after two bouts with colon cancer and 12 rounds of chemotherapy.

Jay-Z kicked off his 31-day "4:44" tour in October. He'll play his last show of the tour on Thursday in Inglewood, California.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Otis Taylor attended the Saturday night show. Read his full review here.

Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf.



