Dig On Jay-Z's Unplugged Album

P&B brings you the "Dig On" Classic Album Series.  We'll delve into our vaults to discuss the records that have profoundly impacted our musical tastes.  The albums we present are considered essential to anyone's record collection. In the end, you can't understand the present (or future) until you "Dig On" the past

image via geminihiphop.com

Hip Hop Kingpin Becomes Affable Showman for this Intimate, Stripped-Down Performance

"Welcome to Jay-Z's Poetry Reading!"

These are the first words uttered by Mr. Shawn Carter as he takes the stage for what will turn out to be an exclusive, intimate performance.

Jay-Z: Unplugged, released on December 18th, 2001, is the record that changed my attitude towards the hip hop superstar.

The album was recorded during a taping of the popular MTV Unplugged 2.0 series that showcases artists doing acoustic renditions of their songs.

Prior to this release, I dismissed Jay as an artist....not because he wasn't talented - many considered him even at that time to be the greatest MC alive.

But things were different for me this time around. The Roots were backing him up on a live performance! Of course I was interested once I heard that.

Also, when I saw the promo pics for the album, Jay was rocking an oversized Che Guevara t-shirt - a possibly contrived, yet savvy move that showed a more reserved down-to-earth side of Hov's personality.

The setlist for the recording is taken primarily from his classic album The Blueprint, which was released earlier that year.  Guest performers joining Jay for the show include Mary J. Blige, who performs her incredible hook on the Hova classic "Can't Knock The Hustle," vocalist Jaguar Wright lends her powerful pipes to "Heart Of The City (Ain't No Love)," and Pharrell Williams shows up to add his stylings to "I Just Wanna Love U (Give it 2 Me)"

If you're a hip hop head, Jay-Z: Unplugged is an essential addition to your record collection.  You'll see an endearing side to the game's biggest superstar, and it captures him having an absolute blast while entertaining a small, intimate audience.

This album shows just how great a live performer Jay-Z is.

Track Listing:

1.  Izzo (H.O.V.A)
2.  Takeover
3.  Girls, Girls, Girls
4.  Jigga What, Jigga Who
5.  Big Pimpin'
6.  Heart Of The City (Ain't No Love)
7.  Can I Get A...
8.  Hard Knock Life (The Ghetto Anthem)
9.  Ain't No
10.  Can't Knock The Hustle (feat. Mary J. Blige) / Family Affair
11.  Song Cry
12.  I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)
13.  Jigga That N****

-Turnbull