In terms of big-deal collaborations, nothing could possibly top, y'know, having three babies with Beyoncé. But okay, Jay Z. Now you really have our attention.
Fresh off being inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame — and writing a major op-ed for Time and, oh yeah, welcoming those twins this weekend — the rapper has announced that he'll be releasing a new album just after midnight on June 30, as many fans had speculated.
Of course, this being Jay Z, it's not just any album drop. Titled 4:44 — because he and Bey love a certain number so much they gave Blue the middle name Ivy (IV) — the fresh material will be exclusively released to Tidal members and Sprint customers, the latter of whom will receive a free 6-month Tidal HiFi subscription. Pretty much beats stealing that bespectacled "Can you hear me now?" guy away from Verizon.
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Here's where things get really interesting. Rumors have flown for weeks that Mahershala Ali would be shooting some sort of film for the Sprint and Tidal collaboration, and that is indeed the case. What's more, the Oscar-winning Moonlight actor is joined by Danny Glover and Lupita Nyong'o in what appears to be both a commercial for the venture and a boxing-themed music video for the new Hova track "Adnis."
Here's a sneak peek for the project.
But it's not just about new rhymes and sexy shots of Ali. This enterprise also has a charitable aspect to it. Tidal and Sprint will work through the 1Million Project to provide underprivileged high school students with free mobile devices and internet access to improve their studies.
At this rate, we wouldn't be surprised if those twins have been named Tidal and Sprint. Not complaining.
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