Fade to Black (2004): cast, story & where to watch
2004 · Film · ★ 6.8
Released in 2004, Fade to Black is a music and documentary film directed by Michael John Warren, running about 109 minutes. “The ultimate concert. Now the ultimate movie.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. An intimate look at hip-hop artist Shawn Carter, Jay-Z, revealing the multiple Grammy Award winning artist as never before, from his background and rise to fame to the recording of his last album. The film chronicles the legendary concert of Jay-Z's performance at Madison Square Garden in November 2003. In an unprecedented event, a hip-hop artist sold out an arena in only two hours. Nearly one year later, fans and artists alike still reflect on this monumental musical night. The event was a spectacular culmination of Jay-Z's recording career prior to his self-proclaimed retirement from solo performing. Yet this one night also defined a musical generation, showcasing the evolution and reach of the world's most popular music genre. Guest performers included Jay-Z's closest friends and music industry colleagues: Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, R. Kelly, Foxy Brown, Pharrell, and Questlove and The Illadelphonics along with appearances by hip hop icons Damon Dash.
Who’s in it. Fade to Black stars JAŸ-Z as Himself, Beyoncé as Herself, Mary J. Blige as Herself and Rick Rubin as Himself, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.8/10, Fade to Black has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Fade to Black page.
If you liked it. Fans of Fade to Black tend to enjoy Whiplash, Coco, Green Book and The Legend of 1900.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Fade to Black (2004)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Fade to Black change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Fade to Black worth watching?
- Fade to Black holds an audience score of 6.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy music and documentary. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Fade to Black?
- Fade to Black stars JAŸ-Z, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Rick Rubin and Sean Combs.
- When was Fade to Black released?
- Fade to Black was released in 2004, with a runtime of about 109 minutes.