Rapper FIRST time REACTION to Alice In Chains - Nutshell (MTV Unplugged) So much pain in this...

[@kristimarriner7673]

I’ll never forget watching this real time. When Layne walked out, a shell of himself, and started singing “Nutshell”, it was a punch in the gut and heart. Felt like he had given up & he just accepted his addiction & was tired of fighting it , keening his pain. Best & worst MTV Unplugged. RIP Layne & Mike😔❤️‍🩹

[@jamesgreer9366]

I feel this comment in my soul!!! Where I grew up, when layne died, they banned them from the radio waves....

[@cathy2210]

Played June July 96 opening for kiss for 4 shows supporting tripod.

[@joeross1400]

He's talking about addiction man

[@seeingthruyou]

I've always felt the same way. He comes out like a ghost, and leaves us with the most breathtaking performance. It's so good, but it hurts so deep at the same time. And I think a lot of us feel this or have felt lost to something. Hauntingly Beautiful

[@izazoz9259]

I remember watching this eating a bowl of macaroni when I was in high school.

[@ps8481]

Layne is singing the Oooohs. Don't be afraid. We can all relate on some level. I am 65 years old, and Alice in Chains is my favorite band of all time.

[@thietrickster1824]

Hell Yeah!!

[@captriggs]

Actually it was Jerry singing the Ooohs.

[@lifeincanada7983]

@@captriggsno it wasn’t

[@TheEnamayan]

Layne singing the Ooohs best parts of the song. Like angels weeping

[@coryquinn376]

Layne does sing the Ooooh. Because they pan away from him because layne didn't want to be on cam because he was on H

[@PositivelyPessimistic42]

The most heartbreaking performance that exists. We miss you Layne!

[@shellos8]

Layne was a tortured soul who suffered with and lost his life to drug addiction. He is still greatly missed.

[@eddieharman3650]

Thanks for this. I was about to sy as much.

[@calinurselori6477]

Please do 'Down In A Hole' the MTV Unplugged version! All of Alice in Chains unplugged is excellent!

[@michellec2514]

YES The whole thing is amazing

[@peegee4229]

The melancholy was real. As much as I love Lanes voice I could chill just listening to the instrumental of this on loop.

[@Jen22w]

The solo track of just Layne singing, no band, 'Down in a Hole' amazing!!

[@lancemillington5814]

Layne had a voice directly connected to his humanity and suffering. The acoustic bass is so pure. All this beauty surrounding someone in such pain.

[@thetalantonx]

12:53 - Please consider reacting to Down In A Hole from this same performance (MTV Unplugged.) But be kind to yourself and know it's going to rip you up even more than this, so be prepared to connect with family or something.

[@iamsquatty]

This! 💯💯

[@sergeimosquito2766]

+++

[@calinurselori6477]

Agreed!!

[@LostHate]

Definitely

[@loweche6]

Personally, Over Now is my favorite on the Unplugged. Something just really resonates with me both musically and lyrically, while everything on this unplugged is a hit

[@LikeUCare123]

Sad we lost such a great artist.

[@mletrout7942]

Welp, I’m off to watch Alice In Chains MTV Unplugged for the millionth time…again. RIP Layne. Miss you, man.

[@catherineday951]

Most Alice in Chains is raw and emotional. And the combo of Layne and Jerry was magical.

[@ronsuper100]

This MTV Unplugged By Alice in Chains was a haunting and beautiul performance. RIP Layne Staley. (August 22, 1967 - April 5, 2002)

[@jerseyMACgirl]

The sound of his voice always brings tears to my eyes.

[@georgianajones2346]

Haunting, It's a painfully, yet beautifully haunting performance. I've seen this 100's of times and still get extremely emotional every single time I see or hear the live version

[@lennyj3300]

This performance is the only time you will see a man sing at his own funeral. Thanks for keeping it real and feeling what Layne was trying to tell us. We was crying out for help and make it much longer. This song changed my path.

[@samuelle6788]

Yes it's heartbreaking

[@lennyj3300]

@samuelle6788 so many people close to him could only watch as he slipped away

[@rogersartandsolutions5074]

There was a saying that went along with this performance. "It sounded like Layne Staley was singing at his own funeral."

[@bradcoffinger9002]

Addiction is indeed a bitch.

[@robertsaladino]

Out of all the souls lost during the grudge era I think Layne's is the most tragic....he always seemed so sad....

[@ljwhitmire200]

Watch the entire MTV Unplugged show. Doesn't get any better than that.

[@RickMaciel-y3t]

Gotta react to their song "Love, Hate Love" live at the Moore Theater next.

[@StevieDrawStuff]

100% he needs to.

[@miconis123]

I second this. That was Layne in his prime

[@SimplyDarknes]

Great song to show his soft voice like this, then his belting vocals. Absolutely a great song to hear his full range, low and high, soft and loud.🖤 "If I can't be my own, I'd feel better dead." One of the best lyrics of all time.

[@Jackie-Daytona-HB]

This is Thirded

[@chrissybennett7985]

Absolutely! What an amazing performance. 🥹💕💯

[@aaronsmuk2872]

This whole concert was incredible! You should check out Down in a Hole from this its great!

[@bsnyder624]

To me his falsetto is the sound of his crying soul😢

[@lynn967]

thats jerry Cantrell, the lead guitarist, doing that.

[@abnerdavidmanriquezrivera4505]

@@lynn967 nope, it's Layne

[@savagebubbles..]

This is the one. It kills me every time I hear it and I’ve loved this band since I first heard them in ‘92. Gah, poor Layne. Bless him and his beautiful soul.

[@familyheissinger5833]

This is the perfect Alice in Chains song… the sound is an amazing mix of sad, beautiful, haunting, peaceful, mysterious.

[@KitzMoMediaGroup]

this song and wake up by mad season always give me chills when layne sings

[@theresaneeds4514]

I believe this song was written by Layne. Layne and Jerry wrote some together, but Jerry Cantrell (the guitarist) wrote a lot of their music. Layne and Chris Cornell are two of my favorites. It is so sad that 3 of the big 4 singers in grunge are gone now. The only one left is Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam.

[@carolmckay9067]

Miss you so much Layne 💔 Rest in eternal peace 🙏🏻🕊️

[@marilynk30]

It's a cry for help! RIP Layne!

[@bamabythebay]

I love Alice in Chains still listen to them today. 🎶🎶🔥♥️

[@starlette570]

Their Unplugged performances always bring a tear to my eye. The band wasn't even sure he would be able to do this. You should definitely check out "Down in a Hole" from that same Unplugged. 😢

[@pashachestnut3403]

You got it. This entire show was a massive cry for help.

[@jayeshleman480]

This has always felt like Layne was saying goodbye to the world. When he died I felt like part of me died also. I still kind of can't believe it sometimes. RIP Layne love you man

[@boopster4033]

OMG finally!!! The 1st bass player (RIP Mike Starr) was my sweet, good friend. We went to school together & he lived down around the corner from where I lived at my grandma's. Layne is my favorite vocalist (besides rock vocalist Paul Rodgers, Bad Co). Get your Kleenex. Love you Layne and Mike❤🙏❤

[@chelseahaley8350]

I was so hoping u would do this one, but it's so hard for me to listen to! Layne was always very honest with his songwriting and his voice is just so damn special!! A legend gone way too soon!

[@Emilie-one]

Same. This one actually makes me cry. He was so messed up and addicted and miserable and just couldn’t get out. The fact that he died and no one found him for a while makes me even sadder… Like no one noticed he wasn’t around? But he died and no one noticed… The whole thing is tragic.

[@tdig6546]

This is really a beautiful performance. The acoustics were so womderfully performed. Layne pulled it out from the bottom of his soul for sure.

[@melissagrover9727]

I was always surrounded by friends who knew a lot more about Lane - I always thought highly of their music. Seems he was a tortured soul that was clear. Very much a voice of mid to late Gen X dealing with self involved parents. Left to raise ourselves so we identified with the feral stray musicians singing for and of their souls.

[@ms.dirtybird7779]

OlderGen X too after all I'm almost 56 and Layne and Kurt are both over a year older than me.

[@krystalbradley9469]

I was born in 85 however grunge is my thing. I have always been a music person and started recognizing bands by sound at like 3 according to my mom so maybe that’s why I recall it…

[@jamesgustin4709]

Layne died on the anniversary of Kurt Cobain's death. He died of a heroin overdose. Layne sang from his soul. It's terrifyingly beautiful.

[@lauraclark427]

They actually don't know when the exact date of death was, because no one found him for three weeks.

[@nickkleiber8636]

@@lauraclark427yes they can tell and it was the same date as Kurt

[@terryatkinson9323]

​@@nickkleiber8636They can make an informed and educated guess.

[@frenchy1987]

​@@nickkleiber8636 no the date is definitely not 100 percent confirmed

[@Morosbby]

@@lauraclark427 the fact that you just said that they found him three weeks after he died should tell you they know when he died lol

[@samsonjpedroza]

Layne Staley IS THE VOCALIST ... R.I.P. !

[@TrenTgm]

You hit the nail on the head. If I’m correct, this was one of their last performances, if not their last. Layne was really struggling at this time

[@nielgregory108]

yeah, he has NO TEETH!! You can see where he can't pronounce words properly but he gets by.

[@JuanVelazquez-mv6go]

The band didn’t even know if he was gonna come out for the show

[@Jane-d4w]

Heartbreaking. 😢

[@arthurzander5500]

He would die of an overdose (heroin I think) within like a month after this performance, Staind has a song Aaron wrote right after Layne passed, Layne helped Aaron a lot when they toured together and Staind was a relatively new band at the time, I believe it is just called "your name was Layne ".

[@ledgm108]

Not the last but yes one of the last live performances

[@NaNaNaBatKyle]

This performance was indeed the last time that the band performed this song with Layne Staley, and it was the opening song from the Unplugged concert. I still remember how hard it hit me back then, seeing it for the first time on MTV back in '96. You could do a whole series just on the amazing unplugged performances, from Nirvana (especially their cover of Bowie's "The Man Who Sold The World") to Eric Clapton ("Layla" and "Tears In Heaven") to Pearl Jam ("Black" was just so... powerful) to Stone Temple Pilots ("Big Empty" and "Plush"). I miss those days, for so many reasons, and I'm glad we could share this experience with you.

[@justinlosee6525]

The entire unplugged version is amazing. It's very sad now knowing what lane was going through. Half way through the performance he starts coming down of from heroin high and messes up. The band starts over and layne takes his glasses off. His eyes say he is already dead inside. Haunting

[@juicesghost8501]

comments will tell you all the meaning and weight behind this song, but I would just say this hauntingly beautiful version is what I would imagine what it would be like to sing at your own funeral. Gone but never forgotten.

[@NorthWestBourbon]

This is by far on of the best MTV Unplugged performances. Great reaction video.

[@d.mauldin9501]

You should watch the whole show, fun fact, the bass player wrote on his bass "friends don't let friends get haircuts " metallica is sitting in the front row and had just cut off all their hair

[@dillonsollars3344]

Down in a hole from this same performance is a great showcase of his vocal talent.

[@alondor8157]

"I don't know if he's fighting mental health, or addiction". -- Yes.

[@MarmaladeOutdoors]

It’s amazing you were able to pick up on being his last performance. We’ve lost most of our great rock stars… so sad!

[@Shannerr212]

This was not his last performances. They did some TV appearances/performances as well as a brief touring stint with Kiss.

[@Kipperbob]

I was a fan of Alice in Chains back in the day, and I never really got the meaning of the lyrics till after layne passed away. Dude was really suffering and there I was listening to the beauty of the melody.

[@Donpneuma]

Alice in chains unplugged down in a hole is my favorite performance.

[@Sigma1_969]

I stole this line.. Listening to Layne sing here, is like listening to someone singing their own funeral song. I've cried so many times listening to this, it hits deep.

[@mandersshmanders8402]

Layne’s story is one of the saddest in my opinion. The fact that he just gave up and closed himself off is heartbreaking. So much talent. So young with so much more to give. All but for addiction. Man, it’s just sad. RIP Layne 8/22/67-4/5/02

[@gwoolman]

I love going through these reactions with you. You Sir, are a smart person. You never miss the meanings, the inside feelings of these songs. I’ve seen people react to songs that say so much and they only hear the sound and the meaning is seldom felt. You get it on all of them. You have a poet’s soul.

[@ThomasHamilton-GEAUX]

I agree. I was extremely surprised he picked up on everything he did the first time listening to this song.

[@tristanandersen2269]

“Down in a hole” is a must see!!

[@russhapoff1867]

Black Pegasus, I've just recently discovered your reaction videos, and i absolutely LOVE THEM. You're honest, well spoken, you don't discriminate. You appreciate music PERIOD regardless of genre. I have enjoyed ALL of your content I've seen thus far, and will continue to watch and appreciate it for what it is. Solid stuff my man.

[@ZACH_95_]

You should look up how he died. He’s been dead for 22 years now. How he died was just sad and makes you tear up. May He RIP.

[@wellologist]

"If we don't deal with our habits, our habits deal with us". I've never heard it better. I still remember the exact moment I found out he passed because I always related to this. RIP Layne. 😢

[@buck-mq3qo]

If I remember correctly this unplugged concert was released in 1996, but the band hadn't been together since 1994 because of layne's heroin addiction. During this song he had just shot up before walking out on stage, so he's pretty much fading for the first half of the show. you'll have to watch the full unplugged show unedited its an experience he even forgot an opening verse to one of the songs! (I can't remember what song lol)

[@antbox1992]

Alice in Chains is a top 3 band for me. I cry whenever I listen to Would?, a song you previously reacted to. As an addict I can relate and I'd hate to think how my loved ones would feel if I left this world the same way the lead singer did

[@Halmak3]

Yes, this was one of his last performances and he was singing the ooh parts. He was definetly struggling with drug addiction and depression. This whole session is beautiful. Every song hit me to the core when it's stripped down like this. RIP Layne...

[@MsM-jr2jp]

Jar of Flies was a brilliant, sad, beautiful album. Please listen to Don't Follow.

[@Emilie-one]

The whole album was amazing… But don’t follow is one of my favorites

[@Wrangzilla]

I have an original copy on vinyl

[@Emilie-one]

@@Wrangzilla very cool. I still have their albums on CD

[@Wrangzilla]

@@Emilie-one I have a TON of music on CD and no CD player. Not in either vehicle, computer, or anything. lol I’ll keep them forever though….

[@Hailme75]

My favorite AIC album

[@seandobson6221]

I am a 30+ year card carrying member of the Grunge Era. I was 16 and a sophomore in high school when Grunge hit the scene. It was the angsty soundtrack of my teen years. This one breaks my heart that we’ve lost Layne, Chris, Kurt, and Scott. All once in a lifetime vocalists! You can hear the pain in Layne’s voice.

[@heathersmit4330]

I love seeing reactions to AIC to this day. That’s the power of their music and his lyrics. Layne was and always will be special. His mom sings on his birthday every year, it’s beautiful.

[@Cinnamon55]

I’m so glad you share this . I’ve not heard this before. It’s giving me Chris Cornell vibes. Layne has a voice that is hauntingly beautiful. Add the acoustic guitars 🎸 unplugged and it’s magic. 🪄 thank you for sharing !! That ooh ooh from him is pure !

[@benmayhew373]

Layne was such a special talent. And Jerry's song writing along with the others in the band including Layne just oozed chemistry. Full of sadness, talent, torture and uniqueness. I'll never stop listening to Alice in Chains.

[@Sawdoff2]

Down In A Hole from this same performance is another one that gets you in the feels. Love Hate Love from Live At The Moore is Layne in his vocal prime. These 2 are a must my guy, In my 65 yr old opinion. Layne makes you feel him through his vocals and they are powerful and well controlled. RIP Layne. ✌🏼❤🤘🏼

[@Yaboybillz]

3:02 is when the video actually starts. You're welcome.

[@cryptofool7247]

...and Jerry too...eveerything about this performance is just epic. It's a masterpiece of performance art.

[@b.c.8209]

5:15 he says he’s getting goosebumps, meanwhile I’m crying…

[@mattturner5750]

This whole performance is great. But this is the gem.

[@amp86400]

Still my all time favorite album. Any genre, any artist... Superb. The acoustic versions of their music is so beautiful.

[@vcarneiro]

Of all the MTV Unpluggeds that were down this was by far the best one. Not only was it great musically, the added element that this was Layne Staley's last live performance added to it. The fact he was able to perform was a miracle in itself. Despite all this his voice was still strong as it could be. He is arguably the greatest rock vocalist of all time. I recommend reacting to "Wake Up" (Live at the Moore) by Mad Season, his side project. But there are so many other ones to react to. "Man in the Box", "Love Hate Love", "Bleed the Freak", "Rain When I Die". All those songs highlight his vocals.

[@wayneclark2899]

This hits my soul every time I hear this song (almost daily on a work playlist). I didn't watch this in real time, but as a recovering alcoholic/addict (over five years clean) I feel these words as a reminder of where I was and how bad it can and could be again. MUCH love Brother, thanks for another excellent reaction!

[@donnakubiski5572]

I agree with everyone who suggested you react to "Down In A Hole" from this same concert. It was written by Jerry Cantrell about his relationship with his girlfriend, but can also be interpreted to Layne's situation at the time. The whole concert is exceptional and I watch the videos all the time. Another suggestion from me is "Them Bones". Love the song and the video will get your attention from the start.

[@jasonk4442]

great video thank you . RIP Layne you will be missed.

[@toddtravis2596]

My favorite song of theirs. One of ny all time favorites, if not no. 1. 👍🏽🤟🏾👊🏾👌🏾🙏🏽🧡🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@jademermaidmusic]

Brother you’ve done the best review of this song yet. A lot of reviewers research the song before, but you’re just interpreting the first true listening of the song and you’re getting it.

[@robert_5974]

This unplugged version of Nutshell, in part, got me through my first deployment Afghanistan. I worked at night and during the day I would go through music or videos I got from other people as we shared what we had and I hadn't listened to the unplugged version but when I did it hit much harder. True artists!

[@chrissybennett7985]

This was always my favorite song by AIC & one of the best performances I've ever seen. I ended up naming my son after Layne.. their music was & always will be incredibly important to me. Tysm for your honest review. Layne Staley would be proud. 🥹💕

[@stevehamilton8824]

On of the best bands to come out of the 90's. So much talent and the writing is incredible! UNPLUGGED was created after John Bon Jovi & Richie Sambora did their song "Dead or Alive" acoustically on the MTV Video Music Awards. It was so good and they dispelled the idea that the band could not play live without all of the big sounds or backing tracks. They raised the level for other hard rock bands to be more serious about their performances when playing live. Loved this performance even though it was one of their last before Layne died so tragically from addiction. He was a tormented soul whose drug addiction pulled him away from his deep mental health pain and unfortunately the addiction led to his death. You can see here that he isn't well. RIP Layne & Mike 😞

[@jeremyosufsen522]

Thank you for showing and sharing respect for the late great Layne Staley. He meant the world to me. This song was very special to me.

[@disneyfannrkrb]

They have a banger called "Them Bones", where he says "I feel all alone, gonna end up a big ol pile of them bones, when they found him he was badly decomposed on his couch.

[@cbdawg4242]

This is my favorite performance of my favorite Alice In Chains song. It’s a simple song musically but man it has helped me work through so many heavy emotional events in my life. RIP Layne!

[@nicholasmaiale8497]

Check out the song Love Hate LOve live version. His voice was amazing.

[@Leshrac92]

Alice in Chains Unplugged is one of the best album in rock history (also with Nirvana Unplugged)

[@comfortassist3134]

"Down in a Hole" from the same Unplugged show. It's devastatingly beautiful and ... everything.

[@mattjohnson7316]

That whole show was awesome every song emotional and done live

[@glendacarpenter2767]

Oh yes, love them, you have to really be in a vibe to listen, dark, rainy, moody days, such a talent lost 😞

[@jonduli4612]

their best song for me and your perfctly right....RIP super talent

[@Mko007]

OMG I LOVE ALICE IN CHAINS. So sad about the lead singer. This is one of my favs. His voice is haunting

[@srv2217]

Layne was in the darkest depths of his addiction at this time and many people have described this as "singing at his own funeral"

[@sumonjamal1653]

Yes, singer Layne Staley wrote the lyrics to 'Nutshell'... he was struggling w/ he+++n addiction in 1993 when this song was written... and this 'MTV Unplugged' performance in 1996 was one of his last live performances and he was clearly trippin' on something... He did 4 shows w/ Alice in Chains in the Summer of '96 opening for the rock band Kiss... and he survived an OD after the last show. Layne Staley never performed live again. Months later, his longtime girlfriend/ former fiancée Demri Parrott died of drug-related complications in '96... Layne lost all hope after she was gone... Layne had formed Alice in Chains in Seattle in the 80's... and his first stint in rehab was in 1991 when the band found out he and bassist Mike Starr were using he+++n... Ultimately, Mike Starr was fired in 1993, replaced by bassist Mike Inez... and Layne felt guilty about Starr's dismissal due to drug abuse. Layne was still using in '93 when they recorded 'Nutshell' for the semi-acoustic EP 'Jar of flies'. There were attempts to get Layne Staley clean, both within and outside Alice in Chains... In 1994, Layne joined a group of musicians - all recovering addicts, attempting to stay clean... and formed the band Mad Season w/ guitarist Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), drummer Barrett Martin (Screaming Trees) and bassist John Baker Saunders (The Walkabouts) ... and recorded 1 album 'Above'...released in 1995. Alice in Chains released their self-titled album in 1995 and it went to #1 on the US charts... but the band declined to tour. After 1996, Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready reportedly asked Layne Staley about recording a 2nd Mad Season album but the singer declined... Bassist John Baker Saunders died in early 1999 from a drug OD. Mad Season was over... Layne disappeared from view in 1997... Alice in Chains asked him to work on new songs in 1998 for a boxed set... Layne agreed but was in bad shape in the studio - he completed 2 dark Alice in Chains songs... 'Get born again'... and 'Died'... Guitarist Jerry Cantrell recognized that Layne was still using and reprimanded him before he left the studio. Layne said publicly that the band had no plans beyond the 1999 release of the AIC boxed set 'Music Bank'. Before his death from an OD in 2002, Layne Staley was sighted by friends seemingly in bad shape... missing teeth and looking terrible... A friend said Layne told him he was hoping to join the new band that became Audioslave in 2001. He lived in seclusion in a Seattle apartment, collecting royalties from his work w/ Alice in Chains Adriana Rubio wrote a book about Layne Staley ('Layne Staley: Angry Chair') and attempted to contact Layne for it ... She said she got an unexpected phone call from Layne Staley, who could barely speak... and was upset and admitted that he knew he was dying from drug abuse and insisted that members of Alice in Chains were 'not his friends'...Layne died a few months after that reported call... (Many of Layne's family were upset w/ Rubio because of the book and claimed that she never spoke to Layne before he died)

[@StephenHarrison-gw1yu]

When this band was around they literally made time stand still. Nice pick 👌💯👍

[@christopherderoy3153]

What What!!!! Beautifully haunting moment. What a performance from a talented broken soul. Layne is one of the GREATEST leads in Rock and Roll especially the GRUNGE ERA.

[@BayouMaccabee]

I've always loved the bass guitar tone from this performance. That acoustic bass just sounds killer.

[@bruno3778]

RIP Layne! He was tortured by addiction and mental health issues and sadly it took his life way too early. Since you liked this, you should really check out Down in a Hole from the same concert. The harmonizing between him and Jerry is amazing and so emotional.

[@edwardhoskins5569]

Wish MTV would do music again theses where the days all of there unplugged where awesome

[@Nakashook]

I found this on KZbin when I was 20, and it introduced me to Seattle Grunge and inspired me to play guitar and sing. I've always found that people are afraid of this type of music. But dark times can't just be dark times. If you could get something good out of it, why wouldn't you? That's something this band knew well.

[@hayleyscomet4380]

That was Layne (pink hair and sunglasses) singing the “oohs”…hauntingly heartbreaking ❤️‍🩹 But knowing that’s his falsetto makes it even more incredible when he sings powerfully and at full health. Such a talent, gone too soon.

[@truther4life]

Love Hate Love..LIVE at The Moore only!!

[@sarahbee6881]

Nutshell touches the deepest parts of rock bottom. You really nailed it. I have to also be careful when I listen to this particular song as it was on repeat when I was in my own addiction and can really trigger memories of that darkness. Great reaction

[@corie7397]

Such an incredible performance…Layne’s voice ❤ RIP

[@alexc.c.4025]

“Got me wrong” and “Heaven beside you” are 2 favourite songs from the unplugged album. Down in a hole is a must for sure as so many others suggest. I feel that “Down in a whole” and “Nutshell” kind of compliment each other

[@fourhorseman7081]

With a tear in my eye I watch this great reaction.