Photo: WENN
The Great Gatsby movie soundtrack is set to include new tracks from Jay-Z, who is also acting as executive producer on the film's music.
The film is being adapted by director Baz Luhrmann, and the soundtrack won't just feature Jay-Z but, according to composer Craig Armstrong, "a varied collection of the world's most talented and compelling musical artists" - rumours have so far included Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga and Prince.
Speaking about the decision to work with Jay-Z, Luhrmann said, "Fitzgerald was a pioneer, famed and controversial for using the then-new and explosive sound called jazz in his novels and short stories-not just as decoration, but to actively tell story using the immediacy of pop culture. He coined the phrase 'the Jazz Age'.
"So, the question for me in approaching Gatsby was how to elicit from our audience the same level of excitement and pop-cultural immediacy toward the world that Fitzgerald did for his audience?
"And in our age, the energy of jazz is caught in the energy of hip-hop. Not only is Jay-Z a great artist, full stop, but I had heard that he was a great collaborator."
Jay-Z added, "As soon as I spoke with Baz and Leonardo, I knew this was the right project. The Great Gatsby is that classic American story of one's introduction to extravagance, decadence and illusion. It's ripe for experimentation and ready to be interpreted with a modern twist."
Jay-Z will be working on The Great Gatsby soundtrack
Jay-Z could give some of that new material its live debut this summer at Wireless festival, as he is joint headlining the Sunday night with Justin Timberlake, as well as performing separately.
The joint date will be the only UK date so far of the pair's Legends of the Summer tour, which is set to take in stadiums around North America.
Rihanna, Jay-Z and Kasabian rock Hackney Weekend 2012
