It's a conversation worthy of its own movie.ĭirected by Patrick Paulson and Michael John Warren, the film has the good sense to stay focused on the music. A classic scene between Jay-Z and his friends ends with a protégé confessing that he feels compelled to rap about guns when he hasn't shot anyone. The film is also broad enough to allow for rumination. 'Fade to Black' chronicles the life and times of Shawn Carter (the rapper's birth name) - but only in the months before his likely retirement in a corner office at Def Jam Records, and while he was recording 'The Black Album,' his smartest and most vivid work. Jay Z Fade To Black Full Documentary Trailer

''Put on a suit and shrink it.'' It's the advice of a man about to walk off the street and into the meeting room. One of the lighter songs on ''The Black Album,'' which he swore was his last record (he lied), challenges his fans and peers to consider a makeover. Jay-Z is the coolest man in pop music and, lately, the classiest guy in rap. Never during his extremely complete performance did he even break a sweat.

''Dirt off Your Shoulder'' isn't just a song about transcendence for him.

In some T-shirts, his torso drags, and nothing ever seems to get to him, not the sight of his girlfriend Beyonce, not the knowledge that Madison Square Garden shows the movie captures are supposed to be his last. His face has about two expressions (rapping and not rapping). Jay-Z may be hip-hop's greatest lyricist, but to see him in the enlightening new concert documentary ' Fade to Black', you'd never know he was a star.

Download jay z fade to black dvd