By Shaheem Reid
Jay-Z will not be Axl Rose — as he joked to MTV News earlier this year — regarding the long wait for his Blueprint 3 LP. Sources close to the situation have confirmed information from radio personality Miss Info's Twitter page stating that Jay will release Blueprint 3 on September 11, eight years to the day after the release of the first Blueprint album. Hov's new set reportedly will be coming out via a new partnership with the Warner Music Group.
While the first Blueprint album was released on a truly horrific day, it provided escapism for many at the time and remains arguably the greatest opus in Jay's catalog. The album introduced Kanye West and Just Blaze to the forefront of the production world, with soulful soundscapes to complement Jigga's timeless quotables. B3 went into production in 2008 and last spring, Jay announced the album during a Kanye West concert at Madison Square Garden; he also debuted a track from the album, "Jockin' Jay-Z." Kanye, the only producer who has been announced for the album, recently told MTV News that he and Jay had scrapped some earlier tracks recorded for the LP (ones including the Auto-Tune device West used extensively on his recent 808s and Heartbreak LP), and he also revealed that his new artist, singer Mr. Hudson, will make an appearance on the record.
Since most of Jay's albums have had quick turnarounds, fans were expecting Blueprint 3 to be released much sooner. However, Jay has explained in interviews that he was taking his time and actually didn't like not having a deadline to meet. The MC recently parted ways with his longtime label, Def Jam, clearing the way for him to release Blueprint 3 via a different company. Last week reports emerged that Jay was in the process of negotiating deals with both Sony Music and the Warner Music Group. MTV News has confirmed that Blueprint 3 will be coming out via Roc Nation. WMG/ Atlantic will be handling the distribution, marketing and promotion.
Neither Jay nor his rep has released a statement. Jay — who gave a surprise performance in Los Angeles with Eminem on Monday — kicks off his tour with Ciara in Las Vegas on July 3.
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