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.
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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)
