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Linkin Park & Jay-Z - “Numb/Encore”

Music collaboration

About

"Numb/Encore" is a groundbreaking mash-up by Linkin Park and Jay-Z, released in 2004 as part of their collaborative EP Collision Course. This iconic track combines Linkin Park's "Numb" from their album Meteora with Jay-Z's "Encore" from The Black Album. The collaboration was born out of an MTV project where both artists were approached to create a live mash-up performance. Mike Shinoda sent Jay-Z demo tracks, including "Numb/Encore," which sparked excitement and led to a studio collaboration. The song blends rock and hip-hop seamlessly, featuring Jay-Z's confident rhymes over Linkin Park's emotional melodies. "Numb/Encore" won a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2006 and has been a commercial success, reaching number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. It has also been featured in various media, including films and video games. The track's enduring appeal is a testament to its innovative blend of genres, making it a cultural moment that transcends musical boundaries.