JAY-Z

After countless failed attempts to interview this chart-topping hip-hopper, LAUNCH finally decided to let the artist’s music speak for itself and forego the conversation. As we’ve learned the hard way, the artist behind such hit releases as Reasonable Doubt and In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 can afford to cancel cross country interviews at a moment’s notice and leave video crews in the lurch without a second thought. At least he allowed LAUNCH to shoot this lively rendition of “Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up),” during a wild L.A. party. Too bad we “lost” a mini digital video camera to some sticky-fingered guest in the midst of all the excitement.

"Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)," written by S. Carter, D. Stinson, D. Grant, K. Joshua, A. Whitehead, courtesy of Roc-A-Fella Records/Island/Def Jam and Lil LuLu/EMI Blackwood Music, Inc./Dayna’s Day (BMI)/Shukur Al-Din/I Love KJ Music/All Money Is Legal (ASCAP).