Magna Carta Holy Yawn: Jay-Z ft. Justin Timberlake “Holy Grail” (Listen) Posted by Nathan S. on 07/04/13 | Filed under Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake

Well that didn't take long. Despite Samsung and Jay-Z (presumably) putting more work into making sure Hova's "Magna Carta Holy Grail" album didn't leak than literally any album before it, minutes after it "exclusively" hit Samsung phones that shit was all over the interwebs like some Amber Rose nude pics.

The internet always wins, which means that ahead of the official release date we can now start debating the music itself, starting with title track "Holy Grail" ft. Justin Timberlake.

Now, as Yoh so eloquently just broke down, I acknowledge the inherent absurdity of delivering a definitive opinion on something after you've only been listening to it for a few minutes. So I'm more than willing to admit it's just the fact it's so late at night and I'm tired, or I'm reacting to the insane level of hype, but after a few straight listens to "Holy Grail"....



Justin Timberlake handles the bulk of the vocal duties, when Jay-Z grabs the mic he's not exactly blowing my mind, and while the beat undeniably goes, it's not what I dreamed of when I first heard it played during that first commercial. These are the #NewRules? Define "New"?

Maybe by the time the album officially rolls around I'll be running the other way and proclaiming it a classic, maybe by even tomorrow "Holy Grail" will have sunk in and I'll be loving it, but for now, to quote Dead Prez, if you feel it you feel it, and if you don't you don't.

I don't.

Nathan Update: I obviously rushed to get this up, but I think this is going to be all the "Magna Carta" material I post for at least the next couple days. I can't deliver any half-baked opinions until I've really had the chance to sit with this music, it's too important for anything less.

UPDATE 2: Here’s a Full Stream of Jay-Z’ “Magna Carta Holy Grail” Album. Let the Debate Begin…

See Also:  Exclusive: Alternate Versions of Jay-Z’ “Magna Carta Holy Grail” Revealed
See Also:  What the Jay-Z “Magna Carta” x Samsung Deal Means for the Future of Music