Ron Howard Films Jay-Z Running This Town in New Clip From 'Made in America'

Ron Howard Films Jay-Z Running This Town in ‘Made in America’ Clip

Ron Howard and Jay-Z are both entertainment titans in their own right. And in 2012, the two came together to organize a gigantic music festival and film it for a documentary called Made in America.

Howard was originally approached by Budweiser to help them document their concert event. His partner at Imagine Entertainment, Brian Grazer, had previously worked with Jay-Z on the soundtrack to American Gangster, so he brought the rapper and the director together. Jay-Z selected all of the acts for the two-day festival in Philadelphia with artists spanning the genres of hip-hop, R&B, EDM, and rock. And, of course, Jay-Z was on hand to headline the show himself.

In the exclusive clip above, Howard’s cameras follow Jay-Z as he arrives in Philly to meet fans and the press, and then rehearse in preparation for his performance (with, appropriately enough, the song “Run This Town”). Jay-Z tells Howard he chose to call the concert “Made in America” because, “We really found out that America is now being accepting of other cultures.” And that’s why he wanted to put acts like Janelle Monáe, Pearl Jam, Skrillex, Kanye West, Odd Future, and Run-D.M.C. all on the same stage.

Ron Howard and Jay-Z filming Made in America
Ron Howard and Jay-Z filming Made in America

Made in America will be in select theaters on July 11 and available on demand and DVD starting July 22.

Photo Credit: Phase 4 Films