Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, taped an upcoming episode of Vh1 Storytellers earlier this week, treating fans with a rare experience at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn.

“Storytellers: Jay-Z: Life of an American Gangster” was taped Wednesday night at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn, New York. “Storytellers” is a VH1 series of 1 hour-long shows which feature intimate musical performances and first–hand stories behind the artists’ songs.

Jay-Z stressed the idea that “American Gangster” is an album with a story from the beginning to the end - something he says too many rap discs lack. “I'm not knocking the way anybody makes (their music),” he said, “(but) I think a body of work is what the game needs right now.”

The audience had the chance to listen to 9 brand new songs from his upcoming “American Gangster.” As he performed the songs, Jay-Z took the audience on a narrative tour of the inspiration behind each track.

It is already known that “American Gangster” is a concept album based on emotions Jay pulled from the upcoming movie with Denzel Washington. As the rapper explained, the album consists of three separate acts: the genesis, the rise, and the demise of a gangster.

He started with “Pray,” where he rhymes from the perspective of a younger version of himself entering the game. The second song was “American Dreamin’” but before that Jay-Z asked the audience to imagine themselves with their boys in somebody’s basement dreaming about the future.

“Roc Boys,” the following song, shows the celebration after you make it to the top of the game. The theme to “Sweet,” “I know” and “Party Life” is the addiction to the game. Finally the last song “Fallin’” as the title already says is about the demise of the gangster.

Jay–Z appeared to be rather jovial and joked with the audience. “Can I get my Lindsay Lohan on,” he joked, before launching into a new track about “addictions to the game.” Laughing at his own comment, Jay-Z then asked, “That's too far, huh? They're gonna have to edit that out.”

Between explaining the songs the rapper also talked about the state of rap music, criticizing those who are against the use of the N-word in rap lyrics. “I know there's a whole thing on censorship; this album is an easy target. I think it's misplaced,” he said. “What are we going to do, take every word off the table?”

“Storytellers: Jay-Z: Life of an American Gangster” will premiere Thursday, November 8 at 9:00 PM.