Pitchfork

Ahh "Storytellers", that VH1 institution that has allowed viewing audiences insight into the creative processes of James Taylor, Counting Crows, and Jewel (also kind of a lot of actually good artists). Now Jay-Z has joined the flock of mostly acoustic singer-songwriter types, and his episode of the program will premiere November 8.

Jay-Z taped the hour-long episode at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn on October 24. His set featured eight tracks from the forthcoming American Gangster (out November 6) with backing from a 12-piece band he called the Roc Boys. Of course, interspersed throughout the performance are revelations of the songs' inspirations.

The Roc Boys will also accompany the Def Jam head honcho on his tiny tour of the U.S. scheduled to start November 6 in L.A. Didn't get tickets to the shows? Too bad. Apparently, they were gone in 60 seconds.

One other piece of Jay-related news has surfaced recently: The impending signing of Jadakiss to Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam. In an interview with MTV.com, Jay said, "[The deal] is not done. It's about 90 percent [complete]."

Dates:

11-06 Los Angeles, CA - House of Blues
11-07 Chicago, IL - House of Blues
11-09 Baltimore, MD - Ram's Head Live!
11-11 New York, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom
11-12 Philadelphia, PA - Fillmore