On a studio lot for VH1's ''Storytellers'' series, Jay-Z, along with a full band, performed several tracks from the album inspired by the upcoming Denzel Washington-Russell Crowe flick.

''American Gangster,'' in theaters Nov. 2, chronicles the rise and fall of notorious Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas. Jay-Z said watching the film made him reflect on his own drug-slinging days and the dangers of that lifestyle.

''I was watching the movie and I was pulling emotions from the film,'' the 37-year-old rapper told the crowd, which included girlfriend Beyonce, on Wednesday night.