STAGE TUBE: Jay-Z Talks ANNIE; 'Hard Knock Life'

By: Nov. 16, 2010
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In a recent interview with NPR Music, rap superstar Jay-Z chats about his humble upbringing in Brooklyn and his life before fame. One prominent topic of conversation was one of the songs from his thrid album, which musical theatre fans should remember well- 'Hard Knock Life'.

As he told NPR Music, "When the TV version [of Annie] came on, I was drawn to it," he says. "It was the struggle of this poor kid in this environment and how her life changed. ... It immediately resonated. It immediately brought me back to my childhood and that feeling. I knew right then and there that I had to make that record, and people would relate to the struggle and the aspiration in it, as well."

Jay-Z even wrote a letter to original songwriters, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin to get rights to the song.  He explained, "I wrote a letter about how much Annie meant to me growing up and how I went to a Broadway play - which was an exaggeration," he says. "I saw it on TV. It was a bad lie ... for a good reason."

 To read the full article, visit: http://www.npr.org/2010/11/15/131334322/the-fresh-air-interview-jay-z-decodedJay-Z

Shawn Corey Carter better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper and businessman. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America having had a net worth of over $150 million in 2009. He has sold approximately 50 million albums worldwide,while receiving ten Grammy Awards for his musical work, and numerous additional nominations.

Jay-Z co-owns The 40/40 Club, is part-owner of the NBA's New Jersey Nets and is also the creator of the clothing line Rocawear. He is the former CEO of Def Jam Recordings one of the three founders of Roc-A-Fella Records, and the founder of Roc Nation. As an artist, he holds the record for most number one albums by a solo artist on the Billboard 200. Jay-Z also has had four number ones on the Billboard Hot 100, one as lead artist.



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