JAY-Z – 4:44 (Album)

It was only a few weeks ago we started seeing the mysterious 4:44 campaign from TIDAL. With billboards and posters around Manhattan in New York City. This instantly sparked a discussion that Jay-Z might be releasing a new album. This theory was further confirmed when various teasers debuted on his music streaming platform.

A week later, Jay confirms that was releasing an album titled 4:44 – with production entirely from No I.D.

On June 30th, the arrival of Jay’s thirteenth studio album 4:44 serves as a follow-up to 2013’s Magna Carta Holy Grail.

It’s a whole different Hov this time around, gone is Jigga hopping on trendy beats of the moment. What we get instead, conscious mogul rap. With features from Frank Ocean, Damian Marley and Ms. Gloria Carter.

The album is currently a TIDAL exclusive, for those loyal to Apple Music and Spotify, you’ll have to wait until new week.

Preview the JAY-Z “4:44” album below.

JAY-Z – 4:44 (Album Tracklist), breakdown by Jay-Z

1. “4:44”
   “‘4:44’ is a song that I wrote, and it’s the crux of the album, just right in the middle of the album. And I woke up, literally, at 4:44 in the morning, 4:44 AM, to write this song. So it became the title of the album and everything. It’s the title track because it’s such a powerful song, and I just believe one of the best songs I’ve ever written.”
2. “Bam”
   “The song ‘Bam’ with Damian Marley, it’s just jammin’, it’s just like the song. But it’s secretly Shawn Carter saying, ‘Man, you need a bit of ego.’ It was because of me and the things that I’ve done, this is JAY-Z saying you needed a bit of ego for us to arrive at this point.”
3. “Caught The Eye”
   “‘Caught The Eye’ is a song that’s dealing with just being aware of your surroundings. There’s a line in it, and it says, ‘Your body language is all remedial, how could you see the difference between you and I?’ Just being so sharp about your surroundings.”
4. “Family Feud”
   “‘Family Feud’ is about separation within the culture. Like, new rappers fighting with old rappers, saying all these things. So, the line is, ‘Nobody wins when the family feuds.’”
5. “Kill JAY-Z”
   “The first song is called ‘Kill JAY-Z’ and obviously, it’s not to be taken literal. It’s really about the ego. It’s about killing off the ego, so we can have this conversation in a place of vulnerability and honesty.”
6. “Legacy”
   “The song is just about what it is, it’s like a verbal will. Just a song about speaking to my daughter. She starts the song off, and she says ‘Daddy, what’s a will?’”
7. “Marcy Me”
   “‘Marcy Me’ is a nostalgic walk through Marcy, and it’s about that hopefulness, that feeling of ‘Man, can I really do this? Can I really be one of the biggest artists in the world?’ You have these dreams, ‘Can I be one of the biggest basketball players?’ We have these dreams.”
8. “Moonlight”
   “The hook is ‘We stuck in La La Land/Even if we win, we gonna lose.’ It’s like a subtle nod to La La Land winning the Oscar, and then having to give it to Moonlight. It’s really a commentary on the culture and where we’re going.”
9. “Smile”
   “‘Smile’ is just what it is. There are gonna be bad times, and those bad times can do two things: they can get you in a place where you’re stuck in a rut, or it can make your future that much better because you’ve experienced these things.”
10. “The Story of OJ”
    “‘The Story of OJ’ is really a song about we as a culture, having a plan, how we’re gonna push this forward. We all make money, and then we all lose money, as artists especially. But how, when you have some type of success, to transform that into something bigger.”

JAY-Z ‘4:44’ Official Album Credits

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter

1. “Kill Jay Z”
   (S. Carter, D. Wilson, A. Parsons, E. Woofson)
   Produced by No ID for Rich Daily Since 71.
   Published by: Carter Boys Music / Administered by Warner Chappell (ASCAP) // BMG Monarch / Let The Story Begin Publishing (ASCAP); All Rights Administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC // Universal Music Careers (BMI) // Universal Music Careers (BMI).
   Contains a sample from “Don’t Let It Show” as recorded by The Alan Parsons Project, used courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment. This composition embodies portions of “Don’t Let It Show” written by Alan Parsons and Eric Woofson.
   Recorded by Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton.
   Mixed by Jimmy Douglass at United (Hollywood, CA).
   Mastered by Dave Kutch at The Mastering Palace.
2. “The Story of O.J.”
   (S. Carter, D. Wilson, N. Simone, G. Redd, J. Crosby)
   Produced by No ID for Rich Daily Since 71.
   Co-Produced by JAY-Z.
   Published by: Carter Boys Music / Administered by Warner Chappell (ASCAP) // BMG Monarch / Let The Story Begin Publishing (ASCAP); All Rights Administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC // EMI Waterford Music Inc. (ASCAP) // Warner-Tamerlane Publishing (BMI) // Carbert Music Inc./Carlin America (BMI).
   Contains elements from “Four Women” performed by Nina Simone courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment and King Records.
   Contains excerpts from “Four Women” written by Nina Simone published by EMI Waterford Music Inc. (ASCAP) used by permission. All rights reserved.
   Nina Simone appears courtesy of the Nina Simone Charitable Trust and Steven Ames Brown.
   Contains elements from “Kool Is Back” by Funk Inc. courtesy of Concord Records.
   Contains excerpts from “Kools Back Again” written by Gene Redd and Jimmy Crosby published by Warner-Tamerlane Pub. (BMI) and Carbert Music Inc./Carlin America (BMI) used by permission All rights reserved.
   Guitar, Bass, Celeste, CS-80 & Electric Piano by Steve Wyreman.
   Recorded by Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton.
   Mixed by Jimmy Douglass at United (Hollywood, CA).
   Mastered by Dave Kutch at The Mastering Palace.
3. “Smile” feat. Gloria Carter
   (S. Carter, D. Wilson, S. Wonder)
   Produced by No ID for Rich Daily Since 71.
   Co-Produced by JAY-Z.
   Published by: Carter Boys Music / Administered by Warner Chappell (ASCAP) // BMG Monarch / Let The Story Begin Publishing (ASCAP); All Rights Administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC // Jobete Music Co. (ASCAP).
   Contains elements from “Love’s In Need Of Love Today” performed by Stevie Wonder courtesy Universal Music Entertainment.
   Contains excerpts from “Love’s In Need Of Love Today” written by Stevie Wonder published Jobete Music Co (ASCAP) used by permission. All rights reserved.
   Recorded by Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton.
   Mixed by Jimmy Douglass at United (Hollywood, CA).
   Mastered by Dave Kutch at The Mastering Palace.
4. “Caught Their Eyes” feat. Frank Ocean
   (S. Carter, D. Wilson, C. Breaux, R. Newman)
   Produced by No ID for Rich Daily Since 71.
   Co-Produced by JAY-Z.
   Published by: Carter Boys Music / Administered by Warner Chappell (ASCAP) // BMG Monarch / Let The Story Begin Publishing (ASCAP); All Rights Administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC // Heaven’s Research/BMG Bumblebee (BMI) // Universal Tunes obo itself and Six Pictures Music(SESAC).
   Contains a sample from “Baltimore” as recorded by Nine Simone, used courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment. Contains excerpts from “Baltimore” written by Randy Newman published by Universal Tunes obo itself and Six Pictures Music (SESAC) used by permission. All rights reserved.
   Nina Simone appears courtesy of the Nina Simone Charitable Trust and Steven Ames Brown.
   Frank Ocean appears courtesy of Frank Ocean.
   Recorded by Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton.
   Mixed by Jimmy Douglass at United (Hollywood, CA).
   Mastered by Dave Kutch at The Mastering Palace.
5. “4:44”
   (S. Carter, D. Wilson, K. Keeny)
   Produced by No ID for Rich Daily Since 71.
   Published by: Carter Boys Music / Administered by Warner Chappell (ASCAP) // BMG Monarch / Let The Story Begin Publishing (ASCAP); All Rights Administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC // Kanan Keeney (PRS) published by Edizioni Record Kicks (SIAE) c/o Defend Music, Inc.
   Features sample of “Late Nights and Heartbreak” performed by Hannah Williams & The Affirmations. Written by Kanan Keeney (PRS) published by Edizioni Record Kicks (SIAE) c/o Defend Music, Inc. Under license from Record Kicks.
   Additional Vocals by Kim Burrell.
   Recorded by Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton.
   Mixed by Jimmy Douglass at United (Hollywood, CA).
   Mastered by Dave Kutch at The Mastering Palace.
6. “Family Feud”
   (S. Carter, D. Wilson, E. Clark, B. Knowles)
   Produced by No ID for Rich Daily Since 71.
   Published by: Carter Boys Music / Administered by Warner Chappell (ASCAP) // BMG Monarch / Let The Story Begin Publishing (ASCAP); All Rights Administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC // Bridgeport Music Inc. (BMI) // WB Music Corp. (ASCAP) and Oakland 13 Music (ASCAP) All rights administered by WB Music Corp.
   This composition embodies portions of “Ha Ya” performed by The Clark Sisters, and written by Elbernita Clark © 1991 Bridgeport Music Inc.
   Additional Vocals by Beyoncé.
   Beyoncé vocals recorded by Stuart White.
   Recorded by Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton.
   Mixed by Jimmy Douglass at United (Hollywood, CA).
   Mastered by Dave Kutch at The Mastering Palace.
7. “Bam” feat. Damian Marley
   (S. Carter, D. Wilson, W. Riley, O. Russell, D. Marley, J. Miller, R. Lewis)
   Produced by No ID for Rich Daily Since 71.
   Published by: Carter Boys Music / Administered by Warner Chappell (ASCAP) // BMG Monarch / Let The Story Begin Publishing (ASCAP); All Rights Administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC // Roynet Music (ASCAP) / Westbury Music ltd (PRS) // Roynet Music (ASCAP) / Westbury Music ltd (PRS) // Biddah Muzik, Inc. (BMI) // Pop Rock Music (ASCAP) // Pop Rock Music (ASCAP)
   Contains elements from “Bam Bam” performed by Sister Nancy. Written by Winston Riley and Ophlin Russell. Published by Roynet Music (ASCAP) / Westbury Music ltd (PRS). Licensed courtesy of Techniques Records by arrangement with The Royalty Network, Inc.
   Contains elements from “Tenement Yard” performed by Jacob Miller. Written by Jacob Miller and Roger Lewis.
   Damian Marley appears courtesy of Republic /Ghetto Youths International.
   Trombone by Jonah Levine.
   Trumpet & Flugelhorn by Crystal Rovél Torres.
   Tenor Sax by Kenneth Whalum.
   French Horn by Nathan Mercereau.
   Guitar, Bass, Electric Piano & Synths by Steve Wyreman.
   Recorded by Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton.
   Mixed by Jimmy Douglass at United (Hollywood, CA).
   Mastered by Dave Kutch at The Mastering Palace.
8. “Moonlight”
   (S. Carter, D. Wilson, L. Hill, W. Jean, P. Michel, S. Remi Gibbs, M. Brockert, A. McGrier)
   Produced by No ID for Rich Daily Since 71.
   Co-Produced by JAY-Z.
   Published by: Carter Boys Music / Administered by Warner Chappell (ASCAP) // BMG Monarch / Let The Story Begin Publishing (ASCAP); All Rights Administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC // Sony/ATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP) // Obverse Creation Music Inc. (ASCAP) // Huss-Zwingli Publishing Inc. (ASCAP) // Tete San Ko Publishing Inc.(ASCAP) // EMI April Music Inc. (ASCAP) // Salaam Remi Music Inc. (ASCAP) // Midnight Magnet Music Publishing (ASCAP) // McNella Music (ASCAP)
   Contains a sample from “Fu-Gee-La” as recorded by The Fugees, used courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment.
   Recorded by Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton.
   Mixed by Jimmy Douglass at United (Hollywood, CA).
   Mastered by Dave Kutch at The Mastering Palace.
9. “Marcy Me”
   (S. Carter, D. Wilson, J. Cid, T. Brito, T. Nash)
   Produced by No ID for Rich Daily Since 71.
   Published by: Carter Boys Music / Administered by Warner Chappell (ASCAP) // BMG Monarch / Let The Story Begin Publishing (ASCAP); All Rights Administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC // SPA (SPA) // EMI MUSIC PUBLISHING PORTUGAL ED MUSICAIS LDA (SPA) // 2082 Music Publishing / WB Music Corp (ASCAP)
   Additional Vocals by The-Dream.
   Contains elements from “Todo O Mundo E Ninguém” performed by Quarteto 1111, used courtesy of Valentim Records and written by José Cid & Tozé Brito courtesy of SPA.
   Guitar, Hammond Organ, Synth by Steve Wyreman.
   Guitar, Piano & Moog by Nate Mercereau.
   Recorded by Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton.
   Mixed by Jimmy Douglass at United (Hollywood, CA).
   Mastered by Dave Kutch at The Mastering Palace.
10. “Legacy”
    (S. Carter, D. Wilson, E. Howard, D. Hathaway)
    Produced by No ID for Rich Daily Since 71.
    Co-Produced by JAY-Z.
    Published by: Carter Boys Music / Administered by Warner Chappell (ASCAP) // BMG Monarch / Let The Story Begin Publishing (ASCAP); All Rights Administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC // Universal Music-MGB Songs (BMI) obo itself and Kuumba Music (BMI), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP), Microhits Music (ASCAP)
    Additional Vocals by Blue Ivy Carter.
    Contains sample from Donny Hathaway recording “Someday We’ll All Be Free”. Produced Under License from Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
    Contains excerpts from “Someday We’ll All Be Free” written by D Hathaway, E. Howard published Universal Music-MGB Songs (BMI) obo itself and Kuumba Music (BMI), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP), Microhits Music (ASCAP) used by permission. All rights reserved.
    This composition embodies portions of “Glaciers of Ice” written by Dennis Coles, Robert Diggs, Elgin Turner and Corey Woods used by permission.
    Recorded by Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton.
    Mixed by Jimmy Douglass at United (Hollywood, CA).
    Mastered by Dave Kutch at The Mastering Palace.

CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: No ID for Rich Daily Since 71
A&R: Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter
CREATIVE DIRECTION: Willo Perron
ART DIRECTION: Brian Roettinger
MARKETING: Roc Nation
LEGAL: Christina Suarez & Todd Mumford
SAMPLE CLEARANCES: Deborah Mannis-Gardner, DMG Clearances, Inc. A&R Administration: Karen Console & Krystian Santini
(p)(c) 2017 S. CARTER ENTERPRISES, LLC. MARKETED BY ROC NATION & DISTRIBUTED BY ROC NATION/UMG RECORDINGS INC.