Jay-Z has announced the release of his new album. 4:44 – for that is what it’s called – will be released on June 30 but you’re not going to be able to get your hands on it via the conventional methods of distribution. Not that much else seems to be conventional about it either.
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The album will be available from June 30 for subscribers of Jay-Z’s streaming service Tidal and US phone network Sprint through what’s being hailed as a the first of its kind deal between both companies.
The release of the album was announced on Twitter by Tidal. They also shared a 30-second preview of a new track, ‘Adnis’, which you can see here:
.@S_C_ ‘4:44’ https://t.co/mM3hBjHr84 #TIDALXSprint pic.twitter.com/dZIddQsz5t
— TIDAL (@TIDALHiFi) 19 June 2017
Speculation is rife that Jay-Z might well be taking Beyonce’s lead by releasing a visual album. The clip features actor Danny Glover.
The release is the first in a series of music exclusives following the corporate partnership between Tidal and Sprint. Sprint bought a 33% stake in Tidal for $200m in January that gives Tidal access to the telephony company’s 45m customers. With the deal only applying to North America, fans outside of the US will be able to listen to the album via Tidal. It hasn’t been revealed how long the exclusivity window will remain open.
Speaking of the release in a statement, Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure said: “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.”
Back in the USA, both Tidal and Sprint are supporting the 1 Million Project, an educational initiative from Sprint and the Sprint Foundation that aims to assist 1m low-income US high school students who don’t have internet access at home.
