HE’S known it for some time, and on Monday the crowd definitely agreed. Now I am happy to confirm that Jay Z is the “King of Rap”.

OK, Kanye, Dizzee et al can hold a beat and work a crowd, but the Jigga Man gave a masterclass is lyrical dexterity at the Arena.

But when the East Coast rapper, aka Shawn Corey Carter, said bounce the crowd bounced during an hour-and-three-quarter stint on stage that had been preceded by Mr Hudson and Drizzy Drake.

It was clear to all that Jay Z, one of the most prolific and successful American rappers of the ’90s and Noughties, has been around the block once or twice.

He whipped the crowd into a frenzy as he spat lyric after lyric, perfectly timed, and accompanied by his inimitable moves.

Hit after hit, including 99 Problems, Hard Knock Life, Big Pimpin and Encore — along with some original material from his first album, Reasonable Doubt — made sure no-one was disappointed, and there was even a bonus collaboration with Mr Hudson to mix it up.

The music was top notch, too. No backing tracks, just pure unadulterated drums, guitars, brass and a DJ ripping some beats.

There were some nice touches; Jay Z picked a sign held aloft by a hysterical fan and rapped it back to her over and over.

Then, as he toyed with his awe-struck fans, pretending an English flag was in fact the Swiss flag, his classiest touch of the day played out.

He appeared on the stage with an England shirt — with the name of Jigga on the back, of course — then signed it and tossed it to a lad in the crowd.

Nice.

Jay Z has unfinished business in the UK. He plays in Hyde Park, London, on July 4, as part of the Wireless festival — a journey that may just be worth making.