After weeks of speculation, it’s finally official – Jay Z is releasing a new album and, as widely expected, it’s titled ‘4:44.’
Previously confirmed for a June 30th release, there was no confirmation that the mysterious project was indeed an album.
Until now.
The following press statement was jointly issued by Roc Nation, TIDAL and the streaming service’s new co-owners Sprint:
On the heels of announcing a first-of-its-kind partnership and offer, global music and entertainment platform TIDAL and Sprint (NYSE: S) are excited to share JAY-Z’s new album, 4:44 – the first in a series of exclusives offered to the 45 million postpaid and prepaid Sprint customers and existing TIDAL members.
Who: JAY-Z
What: New Album – 4:44
When: 12:01 a.m. ET Friday, June 30
How: New and existing Sprint customers can take advantage of the complimentary six-month trial of TIDAL HiFi at Sprint.TIDAL.com or by visiting a Sprint store.1 New Boost Mobile customers can subscribe during the activation process in-store or online at boostmobile.com. Existing customers can add the monthly subscription online via My Account (web and smartphone), in store, or by phone. New TIDAL members worldwide can visit TIDAL.com/Try-now.
Speaking on the release, Sprint president and CEO Marcelo Claure said:
“Today is an exciting day to be a Sprint customer. JAY-Z is a global icon and we’re giving customers an incredible opportunity to be among the first to experience his new album 4:44. Our loyal, existing customers, and customers who switch to Sprint, can experience the album exclusively, plus access a complimentary six-month trial of TIDAL HiFi, giving them access to content they can’t get anywhere else.”
The announcement was paired with an extended version of the ‘4:44’ trailer, which featured a brief lyrical preview:
‘4:44’ is Jigga’s first body of work since 2013’s ‘Magna Carta Holy Grail’ – which opened atop of the Billboard 200 with first week sales of 528,000. The LP has since been certified double Platinum by the RIAA.
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As authentic music titans go, few can rival Jay Z. Hence, we’re all sorts of amped for what will easily be one of 2017’s landmark releases.
The roller-coaster that has been the TIDAL story is well-documented. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see how the service factors in to the commercial performance of ‘4:44.’
Stay tuned!