On 2004 an EP (Extended Play) titled “Collision Course” between Jay-Z & Linkin Park was released mixing songs from both sides giving as result a combination of rap and rock for 6 tracks where “Numb/Encore” stands out. Due to the current situation on 2020 where the world is protesting against racism this song is a strong reminder of how 2 genres can get together doing amazing things where talent and human beings are what matters, nothing else.
“Numb/Encore” has the intro from Linkin Park´s “Numb” song but with the “Encore” lyrics from Jay-Z, where Jay-Z leads the rap and on the background can be heard the unique voice from Chester Bennington while screaming a phrase from “Encore”, “What the hell are you waiting for”. The rap continues till the “Numb” lyrics such as “I´m tired of being what you want me to be, Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface” appear; continuing with the mixing of styles but in the end what is heard is a great combination of voices, instruments and music, where this time it did even matter.
This song had an amazing moment at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, where was performed live by Jay-Z, Linkin Park but this time including Sir Paul McCartney and the famous “Yesterday” song from The Beatles. Absolutely was sensed a feeling of unity between music genres, styles and generations on stage; unity that hopefully can be moved outside music and replicated everyday from this 2020 and beyond by every citizen of the world; being good and kind with each other no matter ethnicity, nationality or any other prejudice mankind has created.