Jay Z’s new album hits Tidal, gives the internet plenty to talk about

Hip-hop heavyweight Jay Z has today dropped his first full-length album in four years, and the internet can barely contain its excitement.

For hip-hop fans, you’re getting to a 10-track, 36-minute-long reel titled 4:44 produced by No I.D. entirely.

For everyone else, it’s a chance to comment on the artist’s relationship with Beyonce, his kids, and of course, the Kardashians.

In terms of 4:44‘s impact on the internet, Google Trends today shows a marked jump in search for Jay Z and Tidal — the rapper’s music streaming service. More interestingly, the likes of Lemonade — Beyonce’s last album — has seen a slight decrease in searches.

See a more detailed, interactive graph on Google Trends here.

Jay Z makes extensive references to his relationship with the singer-songwriter in the album. This, and other talking points, were discussed in more details on Twitter.

Solange: beats Jay Z in an elevator for cheating

Y’all: nah

Beyoncé: says Jay cheated on Lemonade

Y’all: nah

Jay: “I cheated”

Y’all pic.twitter.com/m5hPbK5YC8

— struggles & sass (@20SomethingSass) June 30, 2017

Jay Z said It took Blue being born for him to realize the value of his marriage… no wonder Beyoncé made lemonade. She was going THROUGH IT pic.twitter.com/NXqIF8GT16

— Alluring Ivy🌿 (@Drebae_) June 30, 2017

Jay z confirmed he cheated but he man’d up,took responsibility and got his woman back. 🤷🏽‍♀️ behind closed doors like it’s supposed to be

— E (@callmeEDIDDY) June 30, 2017

😂😂😂😂😂 RT @Bdell1014: Jay Z: “And my wife a Queen, not a Kardashian”

Kanye: pic.twitter.com/q9kPOMDc1I

— ARMANI BLACK (@WIFISLIM) June 30, 2017

The hashtag #444 began trending in the United Kingdom around 9.30am SAST Friday, while #JayZ444 and #JayZ also began trending in a number of the United States’ largest cities around 7am SAST.

The album isn’t enjoying a massive social impact on South Africa’s Twitter timelines at present.

What about a Kardashian?

According to some, Jay’s also “dragging a Kardashian” in the album.

When Hov said “My wife a Queen not a Kardashian” #JayZ #JayZ444 #444 pic.twitter.com/0YtX1j1f43

— I hate You 😭😭 (@rampageys) June 30, 2017

When you had no interest in a Jay Z album but hear he’s spilling tea and dragging a Kardashian.. pic.twitter.com/jzSGRzrMx6

— DiBiase (@Dibiase_ca) June 30, 2017

When I heard Jay Z say “And I never was a fan, my wife a Queen, not a Kardashian.” pic.twitter.com/tauZtsfWZM

— wan ひ (@iiamwan8k) June 30, 2017

More keen-eared listeners proved this to be false.

Jay Z never said that Kardashian line. Thats just internet trolling. I’m on my 3rd listen of the album and skimmed through the lyrics

— Earl of Fontem (@TheRealRaidH) June 30, 2017

If you want to listen to those lyrics, Genius has the 10-tracked written down.

Tidal exclusive?

The other massive talking point is where to find the album online…

Who got that Jay Z link tho… pic.twitter.com/T9K4BYl6Y9

— John Charles (@TheHANjuan) June 30, 2017

Everyone spitting Jay Z lyrics and I’m just here with my Spotify Premium account like pic.twitter.com/8cbuToaJWn

— BSOLZ (@theBSOLZ) June 30, 2017

Me when Jay -Z 4:44 dropped and I don’t have Tidal pic.twitter.com/3cEj8TRcda

— Saul (@saulacee) June 30, 2017

Person: Jay Z dropped his new album

Me: finally!

Person: yeah you gotta download tidal for it

Me: pic.twitter.com/tFFOQHDDAn

— Bardock Obama 🐝🔜AX (@SavinTheBees) June 30, 2017

Yes. That means the album is not available on Apple Music, Google Play Music or Spotify.

4:44 is a Tidal exclusive, and although it annoys users of other services to no end, it makes complete sense for Jay Z who is part-owner of the music streaming service. Additionally, those in the United States using Sprint’s network can also grab the album.

Featured image: Michael Whitney via Flickr (CC 2.0 BY, resized)