Rap titans Jay-Z and Kanye West have joined forces for the much-anticipated album Watch the Throne. As of July 4, the album is available for preorder via the album's label, Island Def Jam, in standard and deluxe versions.
Included on the album is West and Jay-Z's single "H.A.M." as well as the track "Lift Off" featuring Beyoncé and Bruno Mars.
This will be Jay-Z's fourth joint release, after two previous collaboration albums with R. Kelly and an EP with Linkin Park. Jay-Z's 2001 album, The Blueprint, featured West as producer, and the two have swapped verses on many albums since. Most recently, Jay-Z appeared on several of West's G.O.O.D. Friday tracks, including "So Appalled," "Monster," and a "Power" remix.
West has claimed 12 Grammy Awards, and all four of his previous albums have received critical acclaim. His latest studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, reached number one on album charts in the US and Canada, and has sold more than one million copies in the US. His third album, Graduation, reached number one on US, UK, and Canadian album charts.
Fellow rap powerhouse Jay-Z has won ten Grammy Awards and has sold approximately 50 million albums worldwide. As an artist, he holds the record for most number one albums by a solo artist on the US Billboard charts.
The cover of the new album was designed by Riccardo Tisci, artistic director of Givenchy.
While the album had been rumored for a July 4 release, Island Def Jam has not confirmed the official drop date.
To preorder: http://watchthethrone.com
Listen to an audio-only clip of "H.A.M.": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT6aPZzaEQQ
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