(AllHipHop News) While JAY-Z is one of the artist-owners of the Tidal streaming service, the veteran emcee is still embracing terrestrial radio.
In conjunction with Roc Nation and Sprint, JAY’s new 4:44 album will play in full on iHeartMedia stations until 12:01 a.m. ET on July 1.
“This is a perfect storm of sharing music with fans,” states JAY-Z. “Sprint allows for and promotes creative freedom. Every artist strives for support of their vision, and I have that in not just a partnership with Sprint but also in iHeart. The iHeart team are creating an experience for millions of fans across the country.”
The exclusive 35-minute “Album Roadblock” will reach listeners in numerous markets.
4:44 will play on more than 160 of iHeartRadio’s Pop, Rhythm and Urban station including New York’s Power 105.1, Los Angeles’ Real 92.3, Miami’s 103.5 The Beat, Atlanta’s 92.3 & 96.7 The Beat, Houston’s 93.7 The Beat, New Orleans’ Q93.3, Detroit’s FM 98 WJLB, and Chicago’s 107.5 WGCI.
“We have a long history of partnering with JAY-Z in innovative ways, and he was one of the artists to join our first-ever iHeartRadio Music Festival in 2011,” says Bob Pittman, chairman and CEO for iHeartMedia Inc. “He’s once again proved that he’s a true innovator, and we are honored to partner with him on the historic launch of his first album in over four years. Our nationwide world premiere of 4:44 will reach tens of millions of JAY’s fans across the country – while creating millions of new ones.”
Sprint customers and Tidal users can also stream 4:44 at sprint.tidal.com.
The musical relationship between the two companies is an extension of Sprint’s 33% purchase of Tidal.
Sprint president and CEO Marcelo Claure adds, “JAY-Z fans couldn’t be more excited about the release of 4:44, and we’re incredibly thrilled that Sprint’s partnership with TIDAL puts our customers first in line to hear this long-awaited album. Together, Sprint and TIDAL are connecting people who are passionate about music with the world’s most iconic artists through special experiences like this – and there are many more to come.”
JAY-Z also released visuals for the 4:44 track “The Story Of O.J.” on the Tidal platform.
The black-and-white video features an animated version of Hov rhyming about race relations and acquiring wealth in America.