 The music video for the song was directed by Melina Matsoukas , and took one and a half days of shooting . Knowles did an impersonation of Jay @-@ Z in the clip and is also seen amidst gold watches and jewelry , continuing the motif of luxury that is alluded to in the song . It finally emerged as the forty @-@ fifth best R & B / Hip @-@ Hop song of 2007 in the United States . Although Knowles did not perform " Upgrade U " in any televised appearances , the song was a part of her set list on The Beyoncé Experience tour ( 2007 ) , and I Am ... Tour ( 2009 – 10 ) , as well as her and Jay Z 's joint On the Run Tour ( 2014 ) . 
