Jay-Z: Funk the Police

It looks like we've come a long way since NWA.

To celebrate the release of his new album The Blueprint 3, Jay-Z will perform a charity concert at Madison Square Garden on Sept. 11 for the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund. Established in '85, the Fund helps the families of officers and firefighters who died in the line of duty, which couldn't be more appropriate considering the day's 9/11 anniversary.

"This charity and concert encompass the true spirit of New York City," Hova said in a statement. "We are asking everyone to 'answer the call’ and support and honor the families of those that lost their lives in the line of duty. There was true camaraderie and resiliency that this city showed the world in 2001, and we continue that today by taking care of our own."

Though albums typically come out Tuesday, Jay-Z will release The Blueprint 3 on Fri., Sept. 11 instead. This marks the eight-year anniversary of the original Blueprint album, which came out the day of the 9/11 tragedy. That proved to be a particularly important album for Jay-Z as it introduced then-unknown producer Kanye West, featured an usually uplifting sound and message (for Jay, that is) and went on to top the album charts for the week despite the limited number of operating retail outlets in his hometown. Naturally, it makes you wonder if we can expect Kanye to make a surprise appearance at the show as well.

Either way, big ups to the rapper to celebrating his new album with a benefit concert, and hopefully helping the police will leave him with just 98 problems.

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Mannion