Jay-Z Books Madison Square Garden Benefit on September 11th

On September 11th, the day Jay-Z releases The Blueprint 3, he'll also perform a benefit concert at New York's Madison Square Garden. The date marks the eighth anniversary of the release of the original Blueprint — and more obviously, the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the city's World Trade Center, so 100 percent of the proceeds from ticket sales and concert merchandise will go directly to the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund.

"This charity and concert encompass the true spirit of New York City," Jay-Z said in a statement. "We are asking everyone to 'answer the call' and support and honor the families of those that lost their lives in the line of duty. There was true camaraderie and resiliency that this city showed the world in 2001, and we continue that today by taking care of our own."

The concert will also be broadcast live and commercial-free on Fuse as the special Fuse Presents Jay-Z Live from Madison Square Garden: Answer the Call on September 11th at 9 p.m. While ticket information has not yet been announced, a pre-sale will be available for Citi card members. More information on the charity can be found at AnswerTheCall.org.

The September 11th concert kicks off what promises to be a busy week for Jay-Z: On September 13th, Jay-Z will perform at New York's Radio City Music Hall at the MTV Video Music Awards. The next day, Jay-Z, Kanye West and Rihanna will all fly out to Los Angeles to perform "Run This Town" on the premiere episode of The Jay Leno Show.

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Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

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