Jay-Z releases ‘4:44’ bonus tracks to celebrate nine-year anniversary
Jay-Z has released his bonus tracks from 4:44 on all platforms to celebrate the album’s anniversary.
Hov dropped his 13th studio album in 2017, which included a pair of songs that were only available on TIDAL.
On June 30th, to celebrate nine years of the album, Jay released the two songs ‘Blue’s Freestyle/We Family’ and ‘MaNyfaCedGod’ on all streaming services.
‘Blue’s Freestyle/We Family’ is produced by No ID with an appearance from Jay’s daughter, Blue Ivy, while ‘MaNyfaCedGod’ features James Blake with production from Blake, No ID and Dom Maker.
Earlier this year, Jay reflected on his last album, stating that it was the hardest album to make in his career.
“4:44 released a lot,” he told GQ. “I can’t really even listen to 4:44. It’s the album that I was always afraid to make… just pure and vulnerable, the real interior thoughts.”
He continued, “Not like Superman, this mythical figure. It was a lot of trauma [growing up], a lot of loss, a lot of seeing things that nine-year-olds shouldn’t be seeing. We tuck it away and we bury it, and then it shows up in different ways.”
4:44 debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 262,000 units in its first week. However, the album was snubbed at the Grammys in the ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Best Rap Album’ categories.
Addressing the awards show, he said, “In that moment, I was like, ‘They missed the opportunity,’ because people emulate success. In that moment, that album, 4:44, was a moment for us to say, ‘Hip-hop is viewed as a young man’s sport. Now here is this album that could take us into the next sphere.’ I feel like they missed the moment.”