March 15th, 2013
04:39 PM ET
Why Baz Luhrmann has Jay-Z producing 'Gatsby' soundtrackNow Baz Luhrmann's judicious use of Jay-Z's music in the "Great Gatsby" trailers makes even more sense. The rapper/industry mogul is going to produce the soundtrack to Luhrmann's film, slated to bow in the U.S. May 10 before it opens the Cannes Film Festival on May 15.
Technically, according to a statement, Jay's an executive producer on the adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic. His job includes "procuring, performing, producing and arranging for a soundtrack featuring some of the world's top musical artists." The rapper's efforts to that end coincide with those of composer Craig Armstrong, who crafted the movie's score. The statement also reveals that Jay and Luhrmann were introduced by "Gatsby's" Leonardo DiCaprio, who portrays the "Great" character at the center of the tale. "As soon as I spoke with Baz and Leonardo, I knew this was the right project," Jay said. "'The Great Gatsby' is that classic American story of one's introduction to extravagance, decadence and illusion. It's ripe for experimentation and ready to be interpreted with a modern twist. The imagination Baz brought to 'Moulin Rouge' made it a masterpiece, and 'Romeo + Juliet's' score wasn't just in the background; the music became a character. This film's vision and direction has all the makings of an epic experience." To give the film a "1920s"-meets-the-present spin, Jay's also contributing original music to the soundtrack. In order to infuse the film's music with the essence of what Fitzgerald put on the page, Jay and writer/producer/director Luhrmann spent two years collaboratively working to "capture, translate and contrast the feelings of Fitzgerald's decadent era with that of our own, using hip-hop and jazz, music contemporary and period, to bring two distinct American moments to simultaneous life," the statement said. In Luhrmann's eyes, having Jay in this capacity was a "natural fit." "Fitzgerald was a pioneer, famed and controversial for using the then-new and explosive sound called jazz in his novels and short stories - not just as decoration, but to actively tell story using the immediacy of pop culture. He coined the phrase 'the Jazz Age,'" Luhrmann said. "So, the question for me in approaching 'Gatsby' was how to elicit from our audience the same level of excitement and pop-cultural immediacy toward the world that Fitzgerald did for his audience? And in our age, the energy of jazz is caught in the energy of hip-hop. Not only is Jay-Z a great artist, full stop, but I had heard that he was a great collaborator. Leonardo and I were lucky enough to be present in a recording session over two years ago as Jay-Z was recording 'No Church in the Wild,' and the collaboration grew from there."
« Previous entryOscar winner Ang Lee to direct FX pilot
 |
  About this blog
Our daily cheat-sheet for breaking celebrity news, Hollywood buzz and your pop-culture obsessions.  |
Dat Jayz be ugli, he gotz a two car nose!
i am white...let's have some fun!!!!
THIS IS A WHITE AND ONLY WHITE MOVIE – let the blacks out of it enough of them
JayZ sucks monkey dick.
I just got paid $6784 working off my laptop this month for doing extra easy tasks from this one cool site! Whoever needs extra cash can do it this way, and best of all, to be paid weekly!!! This is so easy to do that even a 10 yr old kid can do it. You won't forgive yourself if you don't check this out! Rich45.com__
I just got paid $6784 jerking off at my laptop this month for doing extra sleazy tasks from this one cool site! Whoever needs extra cash can spoo away, and best of all, to be paid weekly!!! This is so easy to do that even a pervy 10 yr old kid can do it. You won't forgive yourself if you don't whip it out and check this out! Rich45.com__
*
between twit, you tube and cnn there are 100% who do not use their REAL names....
see? your not good at it.
Oh lord lordy my name be realz!
MOST OF THESE BLOG NAMES DO NOT BELONG TO ANY OF YOU....WHAT ARE YOU REAL NAMES....
Wow Jay Z is kinda shocking to look at. I mean Beyonce is supposed to be the hottest b!tch and this guy's her husbs? He must have a gigantic schlong.
wow...like agreed...ha
that's why he left the stage...
first 2 want me as their gf's..but not ready yet...fun day ahead..
voted: no class, complete and utter embarrassment to her boyfriend...
thanks again gracie for fone...gotz to rest up for tomorrow..pls deliver cake 1 hour early...grazie
Time to take a large steaming dump in the shower.
Fill that drain with your rectal warriors!
Oh that was yours!? I fingered it down the drain. God that stank – what did you eat??
The result of a large meal of Mexican food. Used my toe to work it down the drain...now there's a corn niblet stuck under my toe nail.
have a good night
your ringing goes to another area now called happy 123
he gets katy
on mommy and daddy phone..
just her.
Fitzgerald is rolling over in his grave.
disgusting
ugh
–
–
Great so now it will not only be painfully boring to watch but it will be unlistenable as well.
she's not good at it...
Yeah, more like 'The Gross Shatsby'
ewwwwwwwwww
and that's the way it will go...
its just a joke
Inappropriate choice...
they will be friends...
–
they WILL be friends...they are NOT going to be mean to each other anymore-the mean stuff is the influences on both sides - my side is cooling down now and the junk is over...
its a bad idea....its a bad idea...
How long have these two been dating?
springsTeen is the boss...whatever he wants as long as its low key and his work ethic and responsibilites are first.
daz it...
its not a good idea....its a bad idea...
These two guys make a cute couple. I hope they will have a long happy relationship.
I think he asked him because he is stupid. And an embicile.
Only an imbecile spells imbecile wrong. What a dumba$$.
huh
its is not a bad idea....its a good idea...
Seems like a really bad idea. Now I am having second thoughts about this film.