You Can Now Stream JAY-Z’s ‘4:44’ on Not-Tidal (and Not-Spotify)

When 4:44 was released last week, it came in the form of the Tidal exclusive — the type of major release (like that of Kanye’s The Life of Pablo — whose Tidal exclusivity Kanye now seems to regret) so enticing as to bring new subscribers to JAY-Z’s/Sprint’s service with the promise of, say, a mere week of listening to […]

Jay-Z’s ‘4:44’: A Tribute to the Power of the Completely Affectless Lyric

Jay-Z has never been one for overthinking things, so it’s perhaps not surprising that the title of his new album 4:44 — “surprise” released overnight on Tidal (of course) because megarich artists don’t need release schedules — refers to the fact that its title track was written at 4:44am. As per Pitchfork, the rapper explains: “I […]

JAY-Z’s mother came out as lesbian on his new album ‘4:44’

Wikimedia Commons JAY-Z’s mother, Gloria Carter, came out as lesbian in an appearance on the song “Smile” from her son’s new album, “4:44.”  On the song, Jay and his mother both candidly address her sexuality for the first time in public, according to The Huffington Post.  “Mama had four kids, but she’s a lesbian / Had to […]