Celebrities
Related Photos
-
Peter Kramer
Tools
JAY-Z: Fans get an early listen to his 'American Gangster' album at VH1 concert taping
NEW YORK (AP) _ Jay-Z went back to Brooklyn to give fans an early listen to some of the music on his upcoming album, "American Gangster."
On a studio lot for VH1's "Storytellers" series, Jay-Z, along with a full band, performed several tracks from the album inspired by the upcoming Denzel Washington-Russell Crowe flick.
"American Gangster," in theaters Nov. 2, chronicles the rise and fall of notorious Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas. Jay-Z said watching the film made him reflect on his own drug-slinging days and the dangers of that lifestyle.
"I was watching the movie and I was pulling emotions from the film," the 37-year-old rapper told the crowd, which included girlfriend Beyonce, on Wednesday night.
Among the new songs he previewed were "Pray," ''Dreamin'" and "Party Life," and another about addiction.
"Can I get my Lindsay Lohan on?" he joked before launching into his rap, though he quickly added: "I definitely went too far ... I might have to edit that."
Between explaining the songs, the rapper also talked about the state of the rap game.
"I know there's a whole thing on censorship; this album is an easy target. I think it's misplaced," he said. He also seemed to criticize those who are against the use of the N-word in rap lyrics, noting there are other hurtful slurs in the language: "What are we going to do, take every word off the table?"
Jay-Z stressed that "American Gangster," due out Nov. 6, is an album with a story from beginning to end — something he says too many rap discs lack.
"I'm not knocking the way anybody makes (their music)," he said, "(but) I think a body of work is what the game needs right now."
"VH1 Storytellers: Jay-Z: Life of an American Gangster" debuts Nov. 8 on VH1.
- Celebrities
-
- Viola E. Starkweather
- Elsie P. Bradley
-
CAUGHT: Paul McCartney photographed kissing NYC woman in the Hamptons
The encounter between McCartney, 65, and Nancy Shevell, 47, a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board, was last weekend, according to The Sun of London, which published the pictures.
-
CMA AWARDS: Vince Gill's 4-disc masterwork could be surprise winner for album of the year
When it comes to surprises, the Country Music Association Awards usually don't have much to offer.
-
WON'T DO ANYTHING: Meat Loaf scraps European tour due to vocal cord cyst
The 56-year-old rocker will have four to six weeks of vocal therapy before doctors decide whether he needs surgery, said a statement posted on his Web site Tuesday.
-
MUSIC REVIEW: Against all odds, Britney Spears' new 'Blackout' is her best album ever
Just when it seemed safe to write off Britney Spears as a punch line only capable of entertaining people through tabloid escapades, she goes and gets all musically relevant on us.
-
JAY-Z: Fans get an early listen to his 'American Gangster' album at VH1 concert taping
On a studio lot for VH1's "Storytellers" series, Jay-Z, along with a full band, performed several tracks from the album inspired by the upcoming Denzel Washington-Russell Crowe flick.
-
MOVIES ROCK: Underwood, Beyonce and Elton John among performers at first-ever concert in LA
The event will be held Dec. 2 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, and will air Dec. 7 in a two-hour special on CBS. The concert is a production of Conde Nast Media Group in conjunction with the Producers Guild of America and the Entertainment Industry Foundation.
-
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Marie Osmond laughs off her brief fainting spell on ABC's show
Osmond and her partner, dancer Jonathan Roberts, the first performers on Monday night's show, had just finished a samba and were listening to comments from the judges when she suddenly toppled.
-
GYLLENHALL: Actor says his new film, 'Rendition,' shows that torture is wrong
The film, which also stars Reese Witherspoon and Meryl Streep, focuses on the practice of extraordinary renditions, or transferring terrorism suspects to other countries where their interrogators could abuse or torture them.
- More Celebrities Headlines
