By Glenn Erickson
Fade to Black
Brief Synopsis
Read More
An intimate look at hip-hop artist Shawn Carter, Jay-Z, revealing the multiple Grammy Award winning artist as never before, from his background and rise to fame to the recording of his last album. The film chronicles the legendary concert of Jay-Z's performance at Madison Square Garden in November 2
Cast & Crew
Read More
Michael John Warren
Director
Beyoncé Knowles
Damon Dash
Sean Combs
Missy Elliott
R. Kelly
Film Details
Also Known As
Jay-Z: Fade to Black
MPAA Rating
Genre
Documentary
Music
Release Date
2004
Distribution Company
Paramount Vantage
Location
New York City, New York, USA
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 49m
Synopsis
An intimate look at hip-hop artist Shawn Carter, Jay-Z, revealing the multiple Grammy Award winning artist as never before, from his background and rise to fame to the recording of his last album. The film chronicles the legendary concert of Jay-Z's performance at Madison Square Garden in November 2003. In an unprecedented event, a hip-hop artist sold out an arena in only two hours. Nearly one year later, fans and artists alike still reflect on this monumental musical night. The event was a spectacular culmination of Jay-Z's recording career prior to his self-proclaimed retirement from solo performing. Yet this one night also defined a musical generation, showcasing the evolution and reach of the world's most popular music genre. Guest performers included Jay-Z's closest friends and music industry colleagues: Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, R. Kelly, Foxy Brown, Pharrell, Questlove and The Illadelphonics--along with appearances by hip hop icons Damon Dash, Rick Rubin, Slick Rick, P. Diddy and many others. Viewers get the rare glimpse of Jay-Z's creative process as he searches for inspiration, poetry, and perfection in his songs. Narrated by Jay-Z, his account of the night takes on reflections of his entire musical career and his journey that led to this one astounding, fabled evening--rightfully called "Fade To Black."
Crew
Paul Bozymowski
Cinematographer
Bob Ezrin
Producer
Jim Helton
Editor
Jon Kamen
Executive Producer
Rich Kleiman
Producer
Scott Lochmus
Cinematographer
Luke Mccoubrey
Cinematographer
John Meneilly
Executive Producer
Jonah Moran
Editor
Ron Pantane
Editor
Dave Patterson
Sound
Frank Scherma
Executive Producer
Theron Smith
Cinematographer
Ahmir Thompson
Music Supervisor
Michael John Warren
Editor
Justin Wilkes
Producer
Adam Zuckerman
Editor
Film Details
Also Known As
Jay-Z: Fade to Black
MPAA Rating
Genre
Documentary
Music
Release Date
2004
Distribution Company
Paramount Vantage
Location
New York City, New York, USA
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 49m
Articles
Fade to Black
Movie stars were once the apex of American success: glamorous, rich and untouchable. Some still are, but time and culture have shifted. Hip-hop and rap sensations of the last 30 years have redefined ostentatious success, bridging economic and racial boundaries. Born Shawn Corey Carter, the rapper known as Jay-Z founded his own record label in the mid-1990s. He's one of the all-time best-selling recording artists and has the most Grammys of any rapper. Jay-Z has both appeared in and produced movies. He has constructed a personal economic empire, with his own line of clothing, a sports bar chain and a part ownership in a sports team. In 2003, Jay-Z produced and headlined a farewell concert at Madison Square Garden, with guest performers Mary J. Bilge, R. Kelly, Beyoncé, Usher, Foxy Brown, Diddy and Missy Elliott. The 2004 documentary Fade to Black combines concert coverage of the big night with behind-the-scenes footage of the production of his The Black Album. Between the high-powered stage performances and recording studio scenes, the camera spends plenty of time observing Jay-Z's expansive personality. When not inventing lively, dynamic rhymes, he explains the method to his madness. The rapper is not shy: he also narrates. The directors are the busy music specialists Patrick Paulson and Michael John Warren (Free Meek, 2019). "Farewell" concert or not, Jay-Z's appearances continued almost without a break. The movie was released just as the superstar was moving on to new albums and new concerts and engaging in a highly publicized feud with R. Kelly. A high-tech wonder to equal the best of rock concert movies, Fade to Black is judged by many to be the best hip-hop concert film. The man all but glows with self-confidence and success and the audience basks in it.
By Glenn Erickson
By Glenn Erickson
Fade to Black
Movie stars were once the apex of American success: glamorous, rich and untouchable. Some still are, but time and culture have shifted. Hip-hop and rap sensations of the last 30 years have redefined ostentatious success, bridging economic and racial boundaries. Born Shawn Corey Carter, the rapper known as Jay-Z founded his own record label in the mid-1990s. He's one of the all-time best-selling recording artists and has the most Grammys of any rapper. Jay-Z has both appeared in and produced movies. He has constructed a personal economic empire, with his own line of clothing, a sports bar chain and a part ownership in a sports team. In 2003, Jay-Z produced and headlined a farewell concert at Madison Square Garden, with guest performers Mary J. Bilge, R. Kelly, Beyoncé, Usher, Foxy Brown, Diddy and Missy Elliott. The 2004 documentary Fade to Black combines concert coverage of the big night with behind-the-scenes footage of the production of his The Black Album. Between the high-powered stage performances and recording studio scenes, the camera spends plenty of time observing Jay-Z's expansive personality. When not inventing lively, dynamic rhymes, he explains the method to his madness. The rapper is not shy: he also narrates. The directors are the busy music specialists Patrick Paulson and Michael John Warren (Free Meek, 2019). "Farewell" concert or not, Jay-Z's appearances continued almost without a break. The movie was released just as the superstar was moving on to new albums and new concerts and engaging in a highly publicized feud with R. Kelly. A high-tech wonder to equal the best of rock concert movies, Fade to Black is judged by many to be the best hip-hop concert film. The man all but glows with self-confidence and success and the audience basks in it.
By Glenn Erickson
Quotes
Trivia
Miscellaneous Notes
Limited Release in United States November 5, 2004
Released in United States Fall November 5, 2004
Released in United States on Video April 5, 2005
Released in United States on Video April 5, 2005
Limited Release in United States November 5, 2004
Released in United States Fall November 5, 2004
