The details of Jay-Z‘s much-hyped affiliation with Baz Luhrmann’s upcooming film adaptation of The Great Gatsby have been revealed. Jay will serve as executive producer of the film’s soundtrack, helping to bring to life the “Jazz Age” during which F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous tome is set. Jay-Z is reportedly recruiting a wide array of musical artists for the soundtrack and score. He will be working alongside Luhrmann’s frequent collaborator, composer Craig Armstrong.
Jay will also contribute original music.
Leonardo DiCaprio, the film’s star, introduced the hip-hop icon and the famed film director, and they have worked on the project for two years. “During this time, Jay-Z worked with Luhrmann and his team 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,” notes a press release.
The upwardly mobile ambitions of Jay-Z fit well with the well-to-do New York setting of Fitzgerald’s novel. It would be interesting to see if this inspired pairing leads to other rappers scoring film adaptations from classic novels. Here are 10 that we think could make a go of it …
