In 2003, Jay-Z was preparing for his farewell concert at Madison Square Garden, but his bass player was unavailable. Adam Blackstone, a versatile musician who excels at various instruments and is a songwriter, producer, and composer, stepped in to fill the role. Little did he know that this would be the beginning of a long-lasting collaboration with Jay-Z that would bring them both Emmy wins for their work on the hip-hop-heavy Super Bowl halftime show.
Twenty years later, Blackstone, now 40, finds himself in the spotlight. After winning an Emmy in 2022 for music direction, he is nominated again, this time as a double nominee. Not only is he competing for his work on Rihanna’s explosive Super Bowl performance, but he’s also nominated as the musical director of the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. His impressive list of credits includes the Oscars, the Grammys, BET Awards, The Voice, and The Masked Singer.
Blackstone believes that winning the Emmy for the Super Bowl halftime show validated hip-hop and himself as a young African American male in the industry. He feels that his work on the show reached the level of prestigious events such as the Kennedy Center Honors and the Oscars, making it a win for the culture.
Even before his Emmy win, Blackstone had an impressive career. As a musical director, he has worked with top artists such as Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Janet Jackson, and Kanye West. He has also written songs for Usher, Alicia Keys, and Estelle, among others. He earned his first Grammy nomination for co-writing Musiq Soulchild’s R&B hit “teachme” in 2007.
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His work extends beyond the realm of popular music. Blackstone’s talents as a live arranger led him to collaborate with the Grammy-winning songwriting duo Pasek and Paul on the music for the box office smash “The Greatest Showman.” He also had the opportunity to work with former U.S. President Barack Obama, serving as the musical director for two of his farewell parties at the White House. Blackstone describes the experience as a joy, as he was able to curate the perfect vibe for each occasion, ranging from classic Nat King Cole to energetic hip-hop.
Blackstone’s ties to Obama go beyond playing at his parties. His song “‘Round Midnight,” a collaboration with Jazmine Sullivan, was featured on Obama’s playlist of favorite songs. Performing as the opening act for Jill Scott on tour allowed Blackstone to perform the Obama favorite live, creating a full-circle moment for him.
In 2022, Blackstone released his debut album, “Legacy,” which features collaborations with artists like Queen Latifah, John Scofield, Leslie Odom Jr., and Simone Boseman. The album includes a tribute to Chadwick Boseman with a rendition of “I’ll Be Seeing You” performed by Simone. Blackstone met Simone at the Stand Up to Cancer telecast in 2021, where she delivered a moving performance in memory of Chadwick. The opportunity to include the tribute on his album has been a meaningful experience for Blackstone.
Despite his extensive list of collaborations, Blackstone still has a few artists he would like to work with, including Eric Clapton, Garth Brooks, Quincy Jones, and Stevie Wonder. He believes that his skills as a musician transcend genres and that his music can resonate with audiences of all backgrounds.
As Blackstone reflects on his 20-year journey with Jay-Z and his success as a musical director, he feels grateful for the opportunities that have come his way. He remains dedicated to his craft and hopes to continue making an impact in the industry.
