Jay Z hasn’t released an album since 2013’s Magna Carta Holy Grail.
Since then, Hov has seemingly been more focused on his businesses, growing Roc Nation (both the label and the sports agency), fighting in the streaming wars with TIDAL, signing a TV and film deal and winning the drawn-out “Big Pimpin” lawsuit. He’s also been growing his family size, with twins on the way with his wife Beyoncé.
Still, he hasn’t been completely silent on the music end, making waves in 2016 with a verse on the “All The Way Up” remix and joining Pusha T for “Drug Dealers Anonymous.”
But a new Jay Z album is supposedly on the way(!).
There are clues floating around about Jigga’s next project already, so let’s break it down.
Jahlil Beats Production
Jahlil Beats spoke with HipHopDX last year about his working relationship with Hov and said they have plenty of heat that has yet to see the light of day. A year ago, he wasn’t exactly sure what Jay was cooking up, “I don’t know if he’s working on an album, but I know Jay is about to start dropping music soon. You never know with him.”
Zaytoven Collab
Zaytoven has been EVERYWHERE lately and during a recent trip to Los Angeles, he stopped by Jay Z’s studio. The internet went crazy when he posted a flick to Instagram of their time together. In a recent interview with Billboard, the Atlanta star shared how even he was surprised Hov wanted to be laced with some Zay beats.
“This is me having no idea that he even cared about my music,” Gucci Mane’s right-hand man said. “First thing [Jay Z] said [to Big Jon], ‘Tell him when he come over, make sure he bring them beats with them strings and pianos in it.’ So that means he’s paying attention to what I’m doing. I feel like I’ve been behind the scenes, making music all this time but I’ve been making it just to satisfy my demographic.
“I didn’t know how far it was reaching. So when Jay Z invited me to his house and told me what type of beats he wanted, it opened my mind up to be like, ‘My music is reaching everybody and touching people in a certain way.’ There’s a distinct something when they hear my music. I feel like [the collaboration] is gonna be for both of [our projects]. I know it’s going to be a trophy for me.”
Young Guru On The Boards
Jay Z was recently spotted leaving a studio with longtime collaborator Young Guru, the man behind many of Hov’s sounds. The engineer was right by his side when a younger Jay recorded his response to Nas’ “Ether.” So while a collab with Zaytoven would bring a new flavor to Jay Z’s music, sticking with Young Guru would ensure classic Jigga is still present as well.
https://youtu.be/K1pHCzHNXk0
Rick Ross Feature?
Jay Z was also recently spotted in the studio with Rick Ross. Ricky Rozay posted three captionless photos to his Instagram page a few weeks ago of himself chopping it up with Jigga. The Miami rapper is preparing his own album, Rather You Than Me, so these pictures could be in promotion of that project, but why wouldn’t Renzel drop a few bars for Hov, too?
The two have collaborated in the past, including on “The Devil is a Lie” and “Fuckwithmeyouknowigotit.”
Response To Beyoncé’s “LEMONADE”
When Beyoncé shocked the world with her masterpiece that was LEMONADE, everyone was wondering how Jay Z felt about having his personal life, including allegations that he cheated on Queen Bey, put on blast. Rumors circulated that Jay was, in fact, aware that the story would be told and was preparing to tell his side of the story on wax.
Vic Mensa Approves
Roc Nation’s Vic Mensa spoke on new Jay Z material in August and said it sounded “fresh as fuck.” He said he couldn’t elaborate on the music, but emphasized how much he respects his boss, explaining, “some of the top dogs are the kindest and in a sense most humble.”
The Title Is Set
In an interview over the summer, Jermaine Dupri shared that he knows the title of the album. He of course wasn’t going to share what it is, but said that the album might have been close to completion.
We hope you didn’t get tricked by this April Fools’ joke last year that claimed the project was titled It’s Ya Boy and included a made-up tracklist with songs called “New Phone, Who Dis?” (featuring Kanye West) and “Black Tie Bat Mitzvah” (featuring Drake).
It May Or May Not Feature Kanye West
Six years after their successful run with Watch the Throne, Jay Z and Kanye West seemingly aren’t on the same brotherly terms. Yeezy blasted the Roc Nation boss at several concerts and told fans not to hold their breath for a Watch the Throne sequel. Reports surfaced that said Jigga considers ‘Ye a “nut job.” More recently, another rumor circulated that the two had reconciled and were preparing to do music together again. Believe what you want.
It Could Be His Most Heartfelt Project Yet
Jay Z released the powerful “Spiritual” song in July in response to reports of police brutality sweeping the nation. While Hov has made his career off stories fresh from the street, he was spotted proudly wearing a “Retired Drug Dealer” hat, showing that he’s put his past behind him. As a father, husband and businessman, perhaps Jay Z has something new to say.
It will sound like shit.
It’ll sound like he’s from Atlanta.
New York rap sucks ass.
Karma for hating on the west in the 90s.
The only good rappers from NYC are Black Hoodie Fam
This Black Hoodie you speak of…I can’t find them. Jokes aside, I was going to give them a listen
Lloyd Banks has been destroying it alone. AON:LIU, Halloween Havoc 3, and the Blue Friday series for 10 weeks straight. All straight flames. Dave East is from NY, he’s good. Nas. Jada and Fab have been tryin to drop a project forever lol. They got great rap, idk where that came from.
Can’t wait to hear Jay-Z or any legend new music!! Hopefully he just do him and doesn’t try to make a album for these (no offence) young weird dudes. Make music for your fans we’ll by it
Looks like ya spell check went hammer lol, but I hear you. Hov do it for your fans not these young mumble rap fans.
What would the album sound like? That is easy it would be “I have more money than you…I have million dollar paintings on my wall…y’all can’t touch me I’m a millionaire…I’m in the billionaire boys club…money cash bank rolls money cash back rolls”
The same as every other rapper except he’s speaking truth
You forgot to add “It will be better than every Nas album put together”. A new album from King HOV will shut the game down.
Did you hear MCHG? Or Vol 3? Or Dynasty? Or Kingdom Come? Or the second half of BP3? Or the R Kelly album collabs? Dude’s discog is trash.
Dynasty/Vol 3 is trash wow I have heard it all… smh
I wouldn’t say trash but not any where near classic. Dynasty doesn’t even seem to be a Jay Z album and Vol 3 best/memorable track, Big Pimpin, he easily gets out rapped by Bun B. So, while not trash records they were more known for their features rather Jay Z’s talent showing up. Although, Jay Z has a bit of a history of rappers showing up on his tracks and getting out rapped.
You’re wrong. King HOV kills shit every time. And besides, his second Big Pimpin verse on the video version destroys Bun B’s verse. That verse should’ve been on the album.
Except he doesn’t and its been well documented him getting owned by features on his own albums and tracks. That second video verse he had to add because he felt he got bodied on his own track, thanks for proving me point!
Exactly, and that goes back as far as in the 90’s. Big L’s “Da Graveyard”, Big Daddy Kane’s “Show & Prove”, The Jaz’s “The Originators”, there was no sign back then, he was about to the force he later became.
I know opinions and preferences vary for a ton of different reasons but I seriously side-eye anyone’s musical tastes who says The Dynasty was wack.
Well it definitely was not a good album, I think we can all agree on that. Nobody counters a Jay-Z being overrated argument with “But dude have you heard The Dynasty?!”
You sound dumb af, drake making some sing a longs for you kid.
MCHG > Life Is Good. Vol 3 > I Am. Dynasty > QB’s Finest. Kingdom Come > Nastradamus. 2nd half of BP3 > 2nd half of Stillmatic. Best of Both Worlds > Distant Relatives.
Good on you knowing Nas’ album titles. Goes to know you at least know something more than only albums by Jigga.
You’re reaching so hard it’s not even funny. How will another materialistic watered down Jay-Z album be “better than every Nas album put together” when Illmatic lives over RD? Illmatic is the best rap album of all time, you’ve lost your marbles lol
It will sound like Social Justice Warriors weeping on November 8th.
Not looking forward to it, more art, money, and whatever fancy sit he’s been into since last album. I’ll just got back to listening to RD and Vol 2
I bet he doesn’t even have an album coming out, if he does more money and material shit to talk about. Gets old
Lol young dudes mad Hov rap using big words. His music not for kids, or pill heads or you almost g@y dance ni@@as lol. Real grown man bars!!
Like trash like his other albums the most overrated rapper in hip-hop history frfr
No drake is the most overrated rapper
Yall gotta call Drake out in every comment section… Doesn’t that just make you realize he on top of the game??… Or are y’all Americans just plain dumb…
Yeah stop calling out drake he’s not a rapper. His a pop star like Justin Bieber, or Taylor Swift. When you use ghostwriters your not a rapper. Your a entertainer / pop star. Maybe a good reader at best. Leave pop star drake alone lololol
Abso-fuckin-lutely, thank you. You beat me to it. This guy is literally the most overrated rapper in the history of the game. Period. This album will NOT be good, i’m positive.
@Fuck Queensbridge – Ask Russell Simmons
I was going to ask him about that but he left when I first asked him about Rushcard..
It will sound like shit. Like everything he put out after the first Blueprint album.
Remember when Hov “retired” after the Black album? This was 2003. Fast forward to 2017 and he puttin out music. What a gimmick the whole retirement shit was, if he would have stopped rappin back then he could be one of, if not the greatest of all time. However he kept releasin shitty album after shitty album. And fuck Beyonce too she talentless and stupid. And no i did not enjoy the Black album. Like i posted in the earlier message every-fuckin-thing since the Blueprint been wack.
He putting out music cause he can and still loves the game. Not because he has to. His fans like myself always gonna cop Jay music. His word play and adult flow evolved to the point where it go over ppl that don’t want to think heads. It’s penalty of dumb down music out if you don’t want to have to think about bars. Stick to pop rap, wiggle dance rap or that “Yaa” rap. Real rap not for you fam.
This gotta be one of the worst articles in the history of this website.
“May Or May Not Feature Kanye West” No shit sherlock. It either has Kanye on it or it doesn’t, simple logic!
the rest is trash too, “Response to LEMONADE”?? are you fucking kidding me? he will tell his side of the story on wax? what are you Victoria? 14?
It will sound like a rapping capitalist.
Isn’t that what rap has always been? Please show me the rapping socialist or some hip hop communism
G, that went right over your head. Swing again.
I think he is better off leaving his legacy intact as it stands and not dragging it down with another mediocre album.
The last quality album he put out was American Gangster and that was almost 10 years ago. Don’t do it, Jay.
Agreed 1000% with that being the last quality project.
Shut up Trent.
I haven’t enjoyed a Jay album in a looong time. For some reason, hearing the 397th song about the expensive shoes you just bought gets a bit old to me.
if he jumps on the trap wagon that would be funny as fuck
I like when Hov talk that rich ni@@a $hyt. That’s my motivation get money and live good. The fact that he from the hood makes it that much better. If he can make it out anybody else can too.
Facts, meek mill went from broke to rich af and he from the hood, anybody can make it out if you stay “focused man” (Jay-Z voice) lol
Hahahahha you hip hop dx writers must be awfully bored in that office.
A new Jay-Z album is likely gonna be very corny. Jay-Z shouldn’t drop another album and for that matter, another guest verse. Jay-Z is unfortunately wack now and probably needs a ghostwriter these days. He tries to be so deep with lyrics and so different with beats until the albums don’t make much sense. He forgot how to just keep it simple and spit. Jay-Z should save his legacy and don’t release new music.
Haha OK Jay-Z need ghostwriters cuz your boy drake can’t make a decent bar without 3 writers lol funny. Bruh some dudes got bars wordplay and skills forever Hov one of those dudes.
If you compare HOV’s catalogue to everyone else’s then he is the Greatest! But if you compare his albums to his own shit then you hear all kind of bullshit about how he fell off. Only rapper in the game who gets that treatment
That’s a matter of personal preference. To me personally both Em and Nas have stronger catalogues. But Hov is up there of course.
I know I just like opening the floor up for debates ..lol Nas shit is incredible down to the album covers ..don’t know bout Em tho not dissing but I don’t ride around bumping his albums
Jay Z has a bunch of great pop tracks but albums that you can listen to from start to finish are maybe only a couple at best.
I said HOV not Drake! You’re foolish to try to limit him to pop status and short change Albums like Reasonable Doubt, Vol 1 and 2 and Dynasty and Blueprint, Black Album and American Gangster. The albums that were “ok” would be a lot of rappers best
I said Jay Z! RD has awful beats and really in my mind stops it from being classic. There were at least 6 albums from other artists that year that were better than RD. Dynasty isn’t even a Jay Z record its more of Memphis Bleek and Beanie Beanie Sigel featuring Jay Z record. Vol 1? The record best known I know what girls like? Vol 2? The record best known for an Annie sample? Are you being fucking serious are severely mentally retarded? It’s okay that Jay main audience are POP fans like yourself but just because its pop music doesn’t mean its a great catalog. Sorry, if the truth hurts.
Did you really just say Reasonable Doubt has awful beats and best record on Vol 1 was what girls like?????? FIRST, listen to Dead Presidents. Second, WHERE IM FROM!!! Damn these young ignorant ass mufuqaz!
It did have awful beats, why did you think it took until 2002 to go platinum when everything from that year pretty much did it out of the gate? I didn’t I know what girls like was the best record off that album but it WAS THE BEST KNOWN track off that record. Are you seriously stupid and are you really that old? These are fucking facts man, sorry if you’re getting butthurt from facts.
Oh shit!! After reading what u just typed about Reasonable Doubt’s production. I know now you’re clueless about that era and music period.
Uhhh Bruh. RD production was nothing to write home about, it sounds like your a 9 year old kid trying to school someone on a topic you don’t know about.
D’evils was a gospel sample Premier went crazy on, and Feeling it is something Kendrick and Cole tapped into on their latest album and Politics as Usual ..please that sorta production is timeless if you’re gonna insult me then let me know what you consider is worth writing home about
D’Evils beat was almost a cut and paste sample from the I Shot Ya remix, murder was the case and a few seconds of what sounds to be an old R&B song to glue it together. It’s okay but hardly memorable like most of the beats on Reasonable doubt. Sorry man, but anyone with ears can hear that your talking shit to defend RD.
I didn’t feel RD’s production but I wouldn’t say HOV is pop like Justin Bieber or shit like that.
I said Jay Z! RD has awful beats and really in my mind stops it from being classic. There were at least 6 albums from other artists that year that were better than RD. Dynasty isn’t even a Jay Z record its more of Memphis Bleek and Beanie Beanie Sigel featuring Jay Z record. Vol 1? The record best known I know what girls like? Vol 2? The record best known for an Annie sample? Are you being fucking serious are severely mentally retarded? It’s okay that Jay main audience are POP fans like yourself but just because its pop music doesn’t mean its a great catalog. Sorry, if the truth hurts.
You know that jcole Drake and someone else bought a bunch of there own records when Born sinner dropped I wouldn’t be surprised if Jay z invests in himself to make sure he gets another number 1 album ..
Jay got old fans with money. Not a bunch of young less money having fans. He going #1 of the strength of his older 30 something fan base.
no he would never do that. Jay-z is a businessman with a reputable image to uphold first and foremost. He would get other companies to invest in him, like he did with Samsung his last album. Samsung bought a million copies, it was already platinum before the album even came out
I hope he mumble raps then half way through stops the best and goes uh ha uhh
What if Jay came out with a mumble flow? Or it came out that he always used ghostwriters? Lol
No ID on production for the whole thing or bust
I want a new Nas album, not Hov! Sorry not sorry.
You can have great accomplishments and accolades! And people will still ignorantly try to discredit you. If Jay-z is not the best rapper ever, then who is? He has 13 #1 albums, can we not overlook that overwhelming fact. No rapper is even close to that!