Video: Jay-Z f. Alicia Keys, “Empire State of Mind” (FADER Version)
- story Peter Macia
Apparently the snitches we rely on to pass our ideas to rich and powerful weren’t listening when we pitched our treatment of this video, so here goes. Hype, feel free to redo, so long as we get a cut.
FADER IN: VERSE ONE:
As the first notes of “Empire” ring through the speakers, the camera focuses on the front door of Jay’s old building in Marcy. A few current young residents stand near. As Jay’s verse begins, he emerges from the door and the camera dollies with him. He walks east through Marcy, gathering followers behind him with every step until the first chorus.
Thoughts on Jay-Z and Lil Mama (and of course Kanye) at the VMAs
- story Peter Macia
Thanks to the wondrous internet, those of us who didn’t watch the MTV VMAs live last night were able to catch up on its most ridiculous and embarrassing moments today, after doing a bunch of other stuff and getting some lunch and listening to some music and staring out the window for a while. Kanye ran up on whats-her-name, ruining her “moment,” but in all truth, he created a moment for her that will last much longer than any she could have created with her thank you speech. You’re welcome. But the coup de grace was former FADER feature subject and Harlem pocket rocket, Lil Mama, bumrushing Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ closeout performance of “Empire State of Mind.” As you’ll see in the video, the performance was carefully scripted and scheduled to have Jay come out of his limo on the street an onto the stage just as his verse was set to begin. And he did. And he and Alicia did a nice rendition of the song, which has recently become the only thing people who own cars will play in said cars while driving through NY streets. New Yorkers are hyped on this shit—it’s kinda crazy. It’s even made some of us transplants reconsider our feelings about this city, and maybe that’s why that girl jumped on that stage. She’s probably listened to the song a hundred times and rapped and sang every word, daydreaming about being on that level. And then that level was, like, three feet away from her, so she stepped up. You can’t really blame her either. It’s like if Jay-Z had a Twitter, we’d all be @’ing that dude like we knew him. He would be our Facebook friend if he was on that too. She was just love RT’ing Hov’s performance, that’s all. She probably also thought a bunch of fools would follow her up there on some Girl Talk shit, which would’ve actually been kind of awesome, but it didn’t happen. So there she is. And without her, we wouldn’t have Jay’s incredible gasface. Plus, if anyone thinks she ruined a classic moment for dude, it was the MTV VMAs. Jay’s classic moment was on Friday night.
Oh, and by the way, FADER Label’s very own Matt & Kim snatched a moon man for Best Breakthrough Artist video. Congrats dudes!
(video and pick via Nah Right)
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posted on Sep 14, 2009 in MUSIC NEWS, MUSIC VIDEO tags Alicia Keys, hip hop, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Mama, MTV VMA
Video: Alicia Keys & Jack White, “Another Way to Die”
- story THE FADER
It’s funny to think that that Mark Ronson/Amy Winehouse song didn’t make the cut for the Quantum of Solace theme because Winehouse was a bit strung out, and then they are replaced by Jack White, who actually looks like he’s been dead for a few weeks. Respect the living! Anyway, as far as Bond songs go, this is definitely no “View to a Kill” but it is also no “You Know My Name.” Take that as you will. Also, it’s clear that these two were either filmed separately or hate each other with a passion because there is a quantum of indifference in Alicia’s eyes throughout.
Live: Hot 97 Summer Jam 2008, Giants Stadium, New Jersey
- story THE FADER
Summer Jam has built its entire rep on ridiculous moments, i.e. G-Unit starting a riot with chair-throwing in a downpour and Mobb Deep and Jay-Z getting into beef zone when Jay projected a flick of Prodigy extra dick-riding Michael Jackson’s outfit, glove and all. But the Summer Jam stage has never seen anything as subversive, uncomfortable and totally bizarre as Lil Wayne’s 20 minute set, apparently blasted on his own summer Js and a total amazing/scary rock star set, as in “DEAR GIANTS STADIUM, FOLLOW ME INTO MY K-HOLE, XOXO WEEZY.”
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posted on Jun 2, 2008 in MUSIC NEWS tags Alicia Keys, D-Block, ghostface, hip hop, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, Lil Wayne, Method Man, Raekwon, Shawty Lo, Summer Jam 2008, Whitney Houston
