Fade to Black (2004)

With the release of his career-defining THE BLACK ALBUM in 2003, Jay-Z shocked his fans and the industry by announcing he was quitting the business. Having honed his rhyming skills in the tough Marcy Projects of Brooklyn, Jay-Z's story is a classic rags-to-riches tale. Although best known for his multi-million-dollar selling albums, the rap impresario has also dipped his toe into corporate waters. His record label, Roc-a-Fella, has proved highly lucrative, as has his clothing line, and an excursion into movie production. So when he relinquished his position at the top of the rap game, the inimitable performer decided to stage a flamboyant farewell gesture in the form of a special guest-laden concert at New York's prestigious Madison Square Garden. Directors Michael John Warren and Paul Paulson were given the task of catching the festivities on camera, and also managed to capture some candid snippets of the star as he prepared for the show. But it's when he hits the stage that the astonishing breadths of his talents are revealed. Making the cavernous venue seem intimate via some touching interplay with the audience, Jay-Z beckons a breathtaking list of hip-hop and R&B glitterati onto the stage. Among them are Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim, P. Diddy, R. Kelly, and Beyonce Knowles. The ecstatic crowd laps up the onstage action throughout, and are clearly delighted to be invited to one of the grandest parting shots in history. Since the film's completion, Jay-Z has reneged on his retirement, and the music world is a much better place for it.