Customer Reviews

Jay Z - Fade to Black

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is definitely a must-have for a Jay-Z fan. The film combines footage of Hov's farewell Madison Square Garden concert along with scenes involving the completion of the Black Album. The concert was surprisingly well-performed and energized by several guest stars that pay Jay respectful homage by their sheer presence, as well as lighting up the stage with their vocal collaborations. When Beyonce` pops-up to perform three songs, Jigga's facial affections are an unrehearsed mix of love, appreciation, and admiration. Things only get better when Ghostface joins Beyonce` to perform "Summertime". Behind-the-scene footage depicting the guests as they prepare to take stage enhances each duet, as well as amplifying the significance of their unique talents. The movie does a great job in capturing the emotions of the loving crowd who hang on Jay's every verse. As for the star himself, he performs in a manner exceeding his personal hype. Despite the "me-me-me" subject matter of the majority of his songs, he proves to be an impeccable lyricist and stage performer. He is clearly aware that a song is nothing without the accompanying image. Interestingly, the superstar image is basically shed as the movie presents a few studio sessions depicting Jay as he completes the Black Album. Instead of the rap icon in front of his admiring 20,000 audience, the viewer is presented with a calculating and introspective genius working within the rather crude elements of his craft. Watching Jay as he deciphers beats and formulates his lyrics is worth the price of the DVD alone.

I have never been a big fan of Jay-Z, not enough to actually purchase an album. I've learned lyrics to the radio cuts and I respect him for being very witty and nice with the beats. Well, this movie is awesome. So many star-studded cameos, the behind the scenes footage of his actual songwriting in his head,a story of an intelligent man who came from the bottom to the top via hip-hop. This guy doesn't write anything down and he flows like leaky water faucets. I stayed glued to the TV and the concert seemed well worth my sleep time trying to finish it off in a couple of hours. I wanted to buy every CD he ever made here on Amazon afterwards. I am a new true Jay-Z fan now.

p.s. I saw a friend in the audience a few times, she was rockin hard. Wish I lived in the NY. Young old, everybody got down at once.

THIS WAS A TOP MOVIE FOR ME IN 2004 CUZ I LOVE DA JIGGA MAN! I Had Seen This Movie Before Going To an Actual Jay-Z Concert In Anaheim 2 weeks later. And If U see This Movie,u feel the same energy u do if u were to go watch him live. YOu Just Wanna Throw Your Diamonds Up <>! This Movie Is Going To Be Collectible for any hip-hop fan cause jay-z is a legendary artist that has a legacy in music and respect all over the world! I DEFINETELY RECCOMEND THIS MOVIE!

This is one of the best hip-hop documentaries I've ever seen (only second to 2Pac's Oscar-nominated documentary). Jay Z is truly talented (contrary to what some believe). After seeing this, I wanted to watch it again. My only (and very small) problem was the fact that they failed to capture the making of "My 1st Song." Clark Kent's production on that song is unbelievable; it would have been interesting to see that go down in the studio. But that aside, I am overall very satisfied and urge others (with an open mind/ear) to purchase this marvelous piece of work...

NOTE: Watch this in Surround Sound - you will get the full effect of the concert. Otherwise, the Musicians will sound, as suchalady on the reviews put it, like they were screaming like someone was trying to kill them.-m

WHOA, I've never been so blown away. This concert made me wantto be there my damn self. Jay-Z delivers as always, because that's Jay everyday, he'll never change. I ,actually, love the fact that he not only gave these people himself and his one in a million talent, he gave them Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly, Beyonce, the Roc-A-Fella family, and more. He gave them a show. He performed ALL the classics and then some. When you first flip it on pay attention at how he describes luck...kind of neat, huh. When I went to Best Buy, it was sold out, and I live in Atlanta. Jay-Z doesn't get too much play, except "Dirt Your Shoulders Off", and that says something. Anyway, Jay REALLY went out in style.

Now I HAVE to address the "Martee" person. First of all never, ever put down anyone's culture, because that shows how much of an educated person YOU are. I must ask if you even watched the DVD. You obviously haven't, because if you did you see that what Jay does is an art, and he mastered it. Did you know that Jay-Z does not write down his lyrics at all, it is all in his head. He never forgot anyone of them. That is nothing short of brilliant. Oh, Oh I've got to address this quote, "Hey kids dont get an education, dont be responsible dont have any class and you too can be a rap or pop star" OMG, this goes on my "MOST IG-NANT QUOTES I'VE HEARD ALL DAY" Yeah I said Ig-nant, because that was 1,000 times worse then being ignorant. YEAH I'm bashing your review because, your review wasn't a review. It was just hate mail for Jay, you actually have to see the DVD to review. I will have you know I am not a "laughable moron". I'm a Honor Student at a Georgia School of Excellence. And What!?!
(Wow, I didn't know I wrote that much on him/her, that guy really pissed me off)

I honestly can't believe this DVD has a mere 3 and a half stars. People writing in, "This isn't music", are obviously not hip-hop fans, which is why the number is sunk low. Jay-Z's "Fade To Black" was absolutely great. The Michael Jordan of rap retires. I'd like to see those people who are saying "This isn't music" go into a booth in 15 minutes and do your verses without pencil or paper, and do it in one take like he did. He's a genious. Get this DVD if you're a fan of Hip-Hop or Jay-Z.

Excellent behind the scenes film including studio recording. This was one of the best hip-hop "documentary" I've seen.

Whether you are a huge Jay-Z fan or not, after watching this movie you will have either more respect for Jay-Z than you did before or you will develop a respect for Jay-Z and for his music. Not only does the DVD show excellent concert footage from his farewell concert at MSG, but it shows some behind the scenes Jay-Z. It shows him talking about his album, and it shows clips of him in the studio during his recording process. To watch five minutes of Jay-Z in the studio, and the way he develops his songs is truly amazing. His techniques are fantastic. I recommend watching this to any rap fan or any music fan, because Jay-Z is truly a legend, and his music will be heard by generations to come.

this is the must have dvd for all jay-z fans. this dvd see's jay-z in the peek of his career and gives every fan out there an insight into the making of the fade to black album and "that night" in madison square garden..not only does the dvd include jigga but some of hip hop's finest artists who jay colaborated with ova the years..if you have it,i bet you love it, if you don't..go get it!

Anybody branding not only this DVD, but also Jay-Z's music as cacophony & rubbish, shows not to know one single thing about hip-hop or about Jay's mission & message. Admittedly, I didn't really get into hip-hop until my early-20's and Jay-Z's material, as well as hip-hop, is not for everybody to understand and appreciate, but if you approach the genre with a closed mind, like I used to, there's no way you'll be able to enjoy it. Jay's music was the turning point for me as far as the beginning of my full appreciation for the genre. This DVD is a testament to the man and his career and is a historical document presenting the style's best performer at the top of his game. Jay has disproved Sickboy's (Trainspotting) theory that all great performers' skills diminish, and sometimes totally dissapear, as they get older. On the contrary, Jay has every right to claim that, like Michael Jordan did by retiring while still a World Champion and an NBA Finals MVP, he left the game on top of it and at the top of his skills. Long live the King of NY! As we all know, like Jordan did after retiring in '98, he'll be back sometime soon. I just don't know if I can keep on waiting for a new CD. He spoiled us dropping albums "early & often".