We brought you an exclusive preview/outtake clip last week, and now the full beast has arrived: ‘NY-Z,’ an Absolut collaboration with Jay-Z, follows the multiplatinum hip-hop icon as he prepares for his star-studded "Answer The Call" benefit at New York’s world-famous Madison Square Garden in late 2009.
Acclaimed director/photographer Danny Clinch was recruited for the documentary project, which offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes with the native New York rapper as he discusses his ongoing love affair with the Big Apple, his passion & motivation as an artist and what it means for a musician to “arrive” with a performance at one of the most legendary venues in the world.
In the documentary, Jay addressed the evolution of hip-hop in the film while speaking to legendary New York DJ Ed Lover: "Hip hop’s still a young genre. We’ve never seen anyone grow up on hip-hop," Hova explains. "I think if you make good music, it’s ageless, it’s colorless, it doesn’t have a genre, it doesn’t have a gender… as long as you’re attached to a true emotion."
Building his anticipation for the massive MSG show, the film follows Jay-Z aka Shawn Carter as he prepares for his performance, rehearsing and talking about the magic of one of the greatest venues in the world. We’re also shown an intimate moment with guitarist John Mayer, one of several guests at the show, wherein he speaks on his meeting and involvement with Hova, as well as the electric energy backstage at MSG.
Watch the entire film right here:
In September 2009, Absolut and Madison Square Garden announced the Absolut Concert Series, a three year partnership between the two iconic brands, dedicated to giving music fans the ultimate concert experience through a series of high-profile performances. NY-Z is an exciting first taste of what to expect from the unique collaboration. Stay tuned for more installments of the Absolut Concert Series!
