Last night VH1 held the taping of "Storytellers: Jay-Z: Life of an American Gangster" at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn. If you’re not familiar with the show, “Storytellers” is an hour-long series which features intimate musical performances and the first-hand stories behind the artist’s songs. Basically that means that those of us in attendance got to see Jay (and a 12 piece band) perform 9 brand new songs from his upcoming release American Gangster.
Naturally, the people at VH1 were really strict about cameras and cell phones so while I can’t show you any pics I can give you a play by play of the music and the visuals.
Before Jigga took the stage the producers at VH1 did a lot of shuffling around of audience members, making sure seats were filled in and coaching the crowd on how to be loud and energetic. Then we had to shoot a few cutaways, which are shots of the audience applauding that they’ll edit in later.
Finally, Jay made his grand entrance to the intro of the album wearing a black jacket with rhinestones on the back. With his black on black Yankee fitted pulled down low he announced that he had good news and bad news. The good news was that we were going to get to see him perform new songs from the album. The bad news was that “I gotta talk ya’ll through it,” which actually wasn’t bad news at all since I always enjoy hearing the artist’s inspiration.
As I’m sure you already know American Gangster is a concept album based on emotions Jay pulled from the upcoming movie with Denzel, Common and TI. Jay explained that the album is composed of three separate acts, the genesis, the rise and the demise of a gangster.
The first full song that he got into was “Pray” in which he rhymes from the perspective of a younger version of himself looking into the game. They had dope stained glass windows and black and white gangsters projected on the screens behind him.
Before performing “American Dreamin',” Jay encouraged everyone to close their eyes and imagine themselves sitting around with their boys in somebody’s basement dreaming about the future. For anyone worried that Jay has fallen off, by the second song it was clear that he is still slick like a gato.
“Survive in drought/ I wish you well/ How sick am I?/ I wish you health/ I wish you wheels/ I wish you wealth/ I wish you insight so you can see for yourself.”
You might want to go back and reread that one, I'll wait. Ok, next Jay-Z performed “Roc Boys” which shows the celebration after you make it to the top of the game. The horn players projected in the back perfectly complimented the horns in this song.
“Sweet” is supposed to represent the hangover after the celebration, when the reality of your position in the game sets in. The line in this song that stuck out to me was:
“Not always right but I’m always real. That’s how I sleep at night.”
Interesting…
Jay then performed “I Know,” a song about addiction to the game and “Party Life.” He insisted on having red lights like his momma used to have for that track which features more classic lines like these:
“I sport fly sh*t I should win an Espy,”
“please, it’s no equals/ Ya boy’s off the wall these other n*ggas Tito”
Get it?
Finally, “Fallin’” is about the demise of the gangster. Sometime around the second half of the set I became aware that Beyonce the fiancé (or whatever) was sitting behind me next to a big old bodyguard. She was all smiles throughout the show but when Jay-Z performed the bonus song “Blue Magic” she actually jumped up and started dancing. It was cute. Overall, it was definitely a great way to first hear (most of) the album. You should definitely check out “Storytellers” when it airs.
Comments (36)
LAST!!
Posted by King | October 25, 2007 7:16 PM
Posted on October 25, 2007 19:16
He's No american Gangsta Symon Dagrapp is.
SYMON DAGRAPP – I LAUGH AT THAT DEFJAM, INTERSCOPE, SONY MUSIC TMZ DISS http://www.zshare.net/audio/440311723f2b3f/
Posted by Teflon Tv Click 2 Listen | October 25, 2007 7:24 PM
Posted on October 25, 2007 19:24
Great play by play info for the event. That line from "American Dreamin'" is something every hustler should really disect! GOOD SHIT DANICA!
-LowKey-
Posted by Lowkey | October 25, 2007 7:49 PM
Posted on October 25, 2007 19:49
Jay-Z is s perpetrator, but he also is a smart man when marketing. The movie is guaranteed to be epic, and timeless. And when people hear the title of his album, they are already going to assume they are correlated quality wise, hes can't not go platinum...
Speak English, Live Latin @ SITV.com
Posted by Slim | October 25, 2007 8:35 PM
Posted on October 25, 2007 20:35
How is he a perp? No one has ever shot down his claims until Cline (sort of, even in disclaiming him he cosinged him - one minute he fake the next we caught a murder case together) and then Dehaven made Cline look stupid. He talking about all the dirt thay used to do "down south" in MD and VA hustlin' that why he wan't money. Listen to "COME AND GET ME" off Vol. 3. He talking about old niggas from the hood that now got they hands out. "niggas home from jail and they plottin". Most people thought that was a reply to Nas' COME GET ME off Nastradamus. But only the first part was. When the beat switch Jay switched who he was addressing. Listen!!!
Posted by justdafacts | October 25, 2007 9:50 PM
Posted on October 25, 2007 21:50
Shawn Carter is that dude man. He's before his time 4real. His most memorable quote is "Let's see what happens when I no longer exist"! That's real talk right there. Pac was never a tight rapper and we all know that. Dude was a Icon and nothing more. He too was before his time and now we act as if he was "Mr. Rap" himself because he's gone. Wait till Jigga's gone. "Then we'll understand"!
-6-
Posted by Cix Evans | October 25, 2007 11:32 PM
Posted on October 25, 2007 23:32
can't wait for this record to drop man! danica you got me feenin for that amerikkkan gangsta!
pamoja!!!
Posted by Odhis | October 26, 2007 12:17 AM
Posted on October 26, 2007 00:17
download FULL tracks off AMERICAN GANGSTER RIGHT NOW at :
hiphopupdate.blogspot.com
Posted by Ben Baller | October 26, 2007 3:11 AM
Posted on October 26, 2007 03:11
Can't w8 for this record....JAY keeps HIP HOP fresh and alive!
He is a true American Gangster! DA ROC is in the Building...y'all die!
Posted by Fred | October 26, 2007 4:02 AM
Posted on October 26, 2007 04:02
Listen to the lyrics, it is no Dipset nusery rhyme or fake artist bull***...it is HIP HOP..go get 'em JAY. I am def coping the album
Posted by Tyrees | October 26, 2007 4:04 AM
Posted on October 26, 2007 04:04
G.O.A.T and on his way to a billie!
the dynasty continues y'all die
Posted by ty | October 26, 2007 4:05 AM
Posted on October 26, 2007 04:05
Fresh beats + uncensored video of Lil Dap "Steady Frontin" produced by Zoober Slimm
and a special remix of King Kong.
http://www.myspace.com/zooberslimm
Posted by Zoober Slimm | October 26, 2007 6:47 AM
Posted on October 26, 2007 06:47
@ CIX EVANS
NIGGA YOUS A LAME PAC WAS NICE ON DA MIC WHAT KIND OF NIGGA U KNOW CAN MAKE U PISSED, SAD, AND MAKE U THINK ABOUT THE STATE OF BLK PPL ALL IN ONE ALBUM SHIT NIGGA EVEN GOT COLLEGE COURSE ON HIM C'MON. JAY NICE AND ALL AND HE GOT FLOW BUT I MEAN HOW MANY BIGGE RHYMES HE GON BE USING EVERY ALBUM GOT AT LEAST ONE BIG RHYME IN IT AND DON'T SAY HE SHOWING HOMAGE THATS JUST STRAIGHT BITING AT ITS FINEST. NO OFFENSE BUT JAY AIN'T GET HIS SHINE TILL BIG DIED IF HE WAS STILL ALIVE HE WOULD ALWAYS PLAY 2ND FIDDLE 2 DAT NIGGA
Posted by WESTCOAST NIGGA | October 26, 2007 8:28 AM
Posted on October 26, 2007 08:28
I used 2 like jayz back in the day but i have not liked him in the last 4 years or so i thought he fell off but i think this album is going 2 be good it sounds like it will be his best work since blueprint -Good post
Posted by see | October 26, 2007 10:24 AM
Posted on October 26, 2007 10:24
This goes out to justdafacts. You must a bumped yo head saying Jay is better than 2-Pac! He's a legend but no better than Pac, Pac had the total package when it comes to being a rapper, Jay is like a preppy rapper, lol. Thats why Jay or Nas didnt say shit back to Pac when he dissed them because they were afraid but they went back aqand forth wit each other all day.
Posted by Kevin | October 26, 2007 10:56 AM
Posted on October 26, 2007 10:56
JAY NICE AND ALL AND HE GOT FLOW BUT I MEAN HOW MANY BIGGE RHYMES HE GON BE USING EVERY ALBUM GOT AT LEAST ONE BIG RHYME IN IT AND DON'T SAY HE SHOWING HOMAGE
YOU ARE A FUCKING IDIOT, JAY HAS BEEN ROCKIN OVER A DECADE, HE USE A BIG VERSE WHEN HE WANTS TO NOT CUASE HE HAS TO. THE NIGGA CAN SPIT AND TALK REAL SLICK WITH A GRIMEY FORMAT. SO NIGGA STOP TRIPPIN?
Posted by TALK DIRTY | October 26, 2007 11:12 AM
Posted on October 26, 2007 11:12
Jay is that dude, and yall jsut not on his level maybe in ten years yall might be ready again. Listen to the rhymes not the beat
Posted by B- Stuy Long | October 26, 2007 12:46 PM
Posted on October 26, 2007 12:46
he aint no gangsta. wasn't inspired by this movie at all, just the title. Jumping on the next gimmick in the game. he's lame, his rhymes are whatever. the DOG emcee is back at it. his stans will continue to hang off his nut hairs. Watch how they attack anyone that doesn't like their leader.
Jay z
Posted by jay z jumps on too many dicks | October 26, 2007 1:44 PM
Posted on October 26, 2007 13:44
Jiggas the best lyricist of all time. Even krs-1 said it. People really be mad about that tho. That's how wack hip hop got that niggas don fell for all these fake rappers that they don't recognize the truly talented ones. Can we please bring 90's hip hop back.
Posted by g | October 26, 2007 6:30 PM
Posted on October 26, 2007 18:30
Jiggas the best lyricist of all time. Even krs-1 said it. People really be mad about that tho. That's how wack hip hop got that niggas don fell for all these fake rappers that they don't recognize the truly talented ones. Can we please bring 90's hip hop back.
Posted by g | October 26, 2007 6:33 PM
Posted on October 26, 2007 18:33
"LET THE HATE BEGIN" - WWW.MYSPACE.COM/CATTYFANPAGE
Posted by CATALYST | October 26, 2007 8:25 PM
Posted on October 26, 2007 20:25
I mean "Zoober" I can see ya point but Pac was just that though, Iconish! When it came to being Hip Hop or a dope MC,its his image; not his rhyme. His flow was nice for the upstart thug in the world; trust me fam I got tats left and right after dude said "How long will they mourn me". But as for Jay, I gotta side with the majority on this one. Dude is "What that is" as we say in Texas. I'm not on no "NY" Shit, I'm not on no "West Coast" shit, and I 4sho ain't on that "Down South" shit. I like lyrics and swagger. Jigga is the total package. I know that they say he only took over or got his shine cause B.I.G and Pac were killed. But if they were alive, would we be talking about them when they turned 40 like we do with Jigga? Or would they be like "KRS" and "Rakim"? Nice but forgotten? Food for thought, you do the dishes!
www.myspace.com/big6ix
-6-
Posted by Cix Evans | October 27, 2007 12:31 AM
Posted on October 27, 2007 00:31
First of all jay z is not "that dude". All of his fans are 26 and younger. And most of them think kobe is better than mj. Now back to the point, when this sucka dies he will not be mentioned in the same way as Pac. Pac had everyone liking him except people up north. Now look at jay's stans. It's the opposite. So when he "no longer exists" (I like that song up until that part,fuckin cry baby) he still won't surpass Pac. Hell he can't even outsell him yet!! Lmao!!!!!!!! Losers.........
Posted by biter not a writer | October 27, 2007 12:53 PM
Posted on October 27, 2007 12:53
Jay-z new studio album, American Gangster.
available at blakgrenejordans.blogspot.com
consider this an early listen.
if you like the album, buy the album.
click an ad!!!!
Posted by memphis' own | October 27, 2007 6:50 PM
Posted on October 27, 2007 18:50
Jay-z new studio album, American Gangster.
available at blakgrenejordans.blogspot.com
consider this an early listen.
if you like the album, buy the album.
click an ad!!!!
Posted by memphis' own | October 27, 2007 6:56 PM
Posted on October 27, 2007 18:56
Cix Evans, that was pretty retarted. Jay got an album that moved 5 mil, and not one has been less than plat since Reasonable Doubt, and only the Kells/Jigga joint and Dynasty did less than two. Pac never had an album sell like Jay's top stuff - only Eminem, Nelly (pop artist really) and 50 sold more (and 5-0 sold to them white kids off the strength of Eminem...anybody really believe 50 would have sold like that without Shady?) Besides, sales don't tell the whole story. Way more people think Jay is a better lyricist - including "hip hop" himself KRS one. If Jay died, the outporing from the indusrty and the fans would rival both Pac and Big, but would it really matter? We've already lost a lot of talented rappers to petty retarded shit, we don't need more.
Posted by Keyez | October 27, 2007 10:34 PM
Posted on October 27, 2007 22:34
This is 4 a y'all new generation niggas that Lil Wayne is da best thing since slice bread, I've heard American Gangster, and this proves that this dude is "one" of the best. Can't no one livin right now drop a album that would be able to compete with this shit except 4 Nas. These are the dudes that music actually has substance and still have commercial appeal, Nas and Jay-Z. As of right now American Gangster is the album of the year, and is one of only a couple albums dat can compete with da music dat was comin out in da early-mid 90s when hip hop was about lyricism. And how many emcees, not rappers, but emcees last past their 30s? Jay is the best.
Posted by Mavmeezy | October 27, 2007 11:50 PM
Posted on October 27, 2007 23:50
shits a hot album, i was there when neighborhood junkie the original Blu "Magic" Swanson told me there was movie talking about his favorite dope... and Jay was making an album inspired by the movie......
i was like no fuckin way is Jay making a tribute album based off a movie of ya favorite dope.....
then i hear of this American Gangster shit and the Jay album of the same title, i thought it was a joke only because i thought it was about Blu himself, so i searched for Blu and found him at the liquor store sippin on some cheap vodka, some Laird's or Smirnoff type shit....
so Blu then tells me, to look at his arms which reads like a railroad of ash, needle tracks, and a scar from having to hold his arm down on a hot barrel after a shoot-out in the 60's to avoid getting arrested for weapons possession...
he then told me, "If that ain't gangster, i'm broke", needless to say i walked away from his drunk ass and laughed only to realize that he was indeed broke and not hardly a gangster....
oh yeah and the bastids real name ain't Blu either which was exposed by his brolic rival that ironically goes by the name of "Red Bull"
Posted by Sinistah aka Sour-Kush Diesel-Piff Sr. | October 28, 2007 2:49 PM
Posted on October 28, 2007 14:49
This goes back to "KEVIN". You need to pay attention to who's comments you read. I never said Jay was better than Pac. That was the comment below mine. I tend to stay away from those arguments when you are talking about great artists on both sides. You can argue back and forth about the great ones, and have a legitimate argument. Just don't compare the great to these subpar (some have talent but aren't "there" yet)cat we are accepting now. By the way you going back to the disses Pac made (who IS a legend by the way) ask yourself who did really go back at him? Mobb - never said his name. A few mixtape cat who noone recall (chino xl and the likes). And just to set you straight. Right in the middle of the EC / WC beef, what was Jay's 1st line on "22 Two's"? Too much WEST COAST dick lickin'. And on the same album he let Biggie throw his only shot at Pac, "If Faith have twins she'd probably have two Pac's get it, 2 Pac's." Yea that's the mark of a "scared" n*gga. Want to know Jay before he was "pretty" as you call it listen to the whole album (not the money making singles) and the Clues from back in the day.
Posted by justdafacts | October 28, 2007 8:46 PM
Posted on October 28, 2007 20:46
Good point "KEYES".
I wasn't even going to go there KRS told you who he thought was the greatest of all time, HOV. And he gave Nas the biggest form of respect you can give. KRS (a legend among legends), dedicated a track to Nas. RUN from RUN DMC gave Jay the title of best a long time ago. That doesn't mean everyone has to agree, but you got to respect. The n*gga is ill.
Posted by Justdafact | October 28, 2007 8:53 PM
Posted on October 28, 2007 20:53
Jay-Z Is The Most Prolific And Consistent MC ever. Nobody In The Games History Has Come Out With 9 Straight Albums In 9 Straight Years, All But Reasonable Doubt Going Multi-Platinum And Gettin At Least 4 Mics From The Source... Not To Mention All His Success In The Corporate Game. Jay Defines What Every Rappers Hopes To Become, But Few Ever Get To His Level Of All Around Success." He's A Business, Maaan...", "It Just So Happens He Knows How To Rap...". LOL...One...
Posted by One... | October 29, 2007 10:44 AM
Posted on October 29, 2007 10:44
if ya want the album here is a mirror!!
enjoy.
http://www.spymac.com/details/?2290046
Posted by Bumore | October 30, 2007 1:46 AM
Posted on October 30, 2007 01:46
response to *justdafacts*
"Pac was never a tight rapper and we all know that"
are u fukin retarted???? jay will never compare to pac, biggie, or nas.....he aint even on their level to begin with....i like jay but im being honest, he's just "snoop dogg famous"....an ok rapper with hot beats...that's it...tell me does jay-z have a "the streetz r deathrow"???? or a "things done changed" or a "one Love"??? ok mayb he does have songs similar but nothin with the pain and heart that pac biggie nas and even big l, put into their songs....does he have a "street struck"?? in 100 years jay will be remembered the way we remember krs-one....its all braggin raps with hot beats
"my lyrics save lives"...shut the fuck up u talk about slangin crack cocaine"
i have yet to hear a jay song where he TRULY talks bout street life in ny
again this is coming from an honest jay-z fan...only album that i consider clssic is reasonable doubt...the rest dont compare to that 1
Posted by soblazed | October 31, 2007 1:51 PM
Posted on October 31, 2007 13:51
i saw vh1 storyteller's yesterday and it was HOT!!! the show was hot, the lyrics were hot, his album is hot! Does anyone know what jacket he was wearing with the rhinestones. That shit was blinging like crazy and hot as hell!
Posted by Sneaker Freak | November 9, 2007 2:38 PM
Posted on November 9, 2007 14:38
Hola Hovito!!!!!!! Whoever said Jay dont have it no more is lost. Period. It's generally not even worth responding too. If Jay's right now, than Anthony J. Shears is the future. He has that mid-90s swagger, and spits like tabacco. His new joint, THe Growth: My ENDtrouction is out next tuesday. Jay man, i'm telling you, sign him, or he might just be coming for you!!!
Posted by Dylan Riler | November 10, 2007 2:29 PM
Posted on November 10, 2007 14:29
LOL @ Dylan, Your Boy Is Trash, Nobody Will Ever Catch Up To Hov....Holla!
Posted by One... | November 16, 2007 3:20 AM
Posted on November 16, 2007 03:20