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Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye Take on the Apocalypse

Three of hip-hop's biggest team up in video for new single

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 20, 2009 2:06 PM CDT

(Newser) – Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Kanye West romp around a post-apocalyptic New York in the much-anticipated video for “Run This Town” off Jay-Z's upcoming Blueprint 3, reports MTV.com. The clip portrays the three as "warlords in a 23rd-century turf war," writes James Montgomery, but that's beside the point. "It's three of the decade's biggest artists, appearing on one of the year's most talked-about songs, promoting the hugest rap album in recent memory. It really doesn't matter what they're doing in the video—their combined wattage is that powerful."

And it works. "You couldn't blame everyone involved if they mailed it in and coasted by on name and reputation alone. But no one does that here...not Jay, Rihanna or Kanye (though, strangely, he is noticeably absent for most of the clip's first three minutes). If all superstars worked this hard, the world would be a better place...until it's destroyed by the apocalypse, that is."

[Images (2)]

[Videos (2)]

Jay-Z appears in the clip for 'Run This Town.'

Rihanna appears in this video for Jay-Z's 'Run This Town'.

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“Run This Town” off Jay-Z's upcoming Blueprint 3 (MTV.com)

A sneak peak of Jay-Z's 'Run This Town' video. (YouTube)

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Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye Take on the Apocalypse