This film would be a ten if it was just the concert from beginning to end. The making of the album footage, while interesting, because Jay-Z never writes his rhymes down, he memorizes them all, and kinda freestyles in the booth, that's very compelling. In short, this is an excellent concert film and if you are a Jay-Z fan, you should buy this one, because you will not be disappointed. Others, such as Missy Elliott and Foxy Brown barely make an impression. Twista, Kanye West, Memph Bleek and Beanie Siegel make an impression. Some get more screen time than others, such as Memphis Bleek. The guests are always game, even, if only for a verse. Jay-Z's performance on stage is nothing short of adrenaline pumping. One of the best concert films I've ever seen. The first is Jay's last concert at Madison Square Garden promoting his latest and last album, "The Black Album." The second film is recording sessions that go behind Jay'Z's making of said album. Jay-Z's "Fade to Black" is two movies in one. When "Reasonable Doubt" was released, it was an instant classic by one of the best rappers of all time. Reviewed by ThomYorke 10 / 10 From Marcy to Madison Square
Clearly, however, the theater audience doesn't care, and it's their energy that is infectious, energy that breaks through the constrained pace of the rappers. It is mostly a stage show, and an obviously and carefully plotted one, that makes its performers and the artists that walk onstage for an 'impromptu' rap battle look far less than spontaneous to my eye. So, can I place myself in the dual position of one of this show's audience, while standing far enough outside to judge its inherent value? You be the judge of that. The simplicity of its music and the crudeness of its language both bore me. It's not my music at all, even though I can link it to the talking blues and recitative. Nonetheless, it was there, and it look at it.įirst, I need to note that I am not the core audience for rap music. There have been a lot of concert movies running on that venue recently, and I run the risk of overdosing on them. I have just looked at this concert film on Turner Classic Movies. Reviewed by boblipton 6 / 10 It's The Audience's Energy, Not The Performers' Narrated by Jay-Z, his account of the night takes on reflections of his entire musical career and his journey that led to this one astounding, fabled evening-rightfully called "Fade To Black." -Sujit R. Viewers get the rare glimpse of Jay-Z's creative process as he searches for inspiration, poetry, and perfection in his songs. Kelly, Foxy Brown, Pharrell, and Questlove and The Illadelphonics along with appearances by hip hop icons Damon Dash, Rick Rubin, Slick Rick, P.
Guest performers included Jay-Z's closest friends and music industry colleagues: Beyoncé, Mary J. Yet this one night also defined a musical generation, showcasing the evolution and reach of the world's most popular music genre. The event was a spectacular culmination of Jay-Z's recording career prior to his self-proclaimed retirement from solo performing. Nearly one year later, fans and artists alike still reflect on this monumental musical night. In an unprecedented event, a hip-hop artist sold out an arena in only two hours. The film chronicles the legendary concert of Jay-Z's performance at Madison Square Garden in November 2003. An intimate look at hip-hop artist Shawn Carter, Jay-Z, revealing the multiple Grammy Award winning artist as never before, from his background and rise to fame to the recording of his last album.