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Sadly, Rick Rubin Wasn’t Involved in the Making of Jay-Z’s Magna Carta Holy Grail

blame it on Shake July 2, 2013
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By now, it’s hard not to believe that every single person out there has seen at least one clip from Jay-Z and Samsung’s ongoing #newrules campaign in anticipation of Magna Carta Holy Grail‘s release on July 4th. During many moments throughout the sessions that also featured Timbaland, Swizz Beatz and Pharrell, the “old man with the beard” is seen vibin’ to tracks and listening to Jay’s break downs; leading many (see: pretty much everyone) to believe that the “99 Problems” duo worked together on the album. Sadly, that wasn’t the case. Speaking with XXL, the Def Jam Records co-founder says that his involvement was simply for the documentary clips alone.

The point of me being in the commercials was that he was filming a documentary and he asked me—I imagine he’s just comfortable talking to me—to come listen to the songs with him and just talk about the songs. Just listen to it and talk about it, and that’s what we did. It was fun. I liked what I heard, but it was a little difficult—after just coming from the Kanye sessions—to listen to Jay’s album, because they’re so different. I was in a very alternative and progressive headspace, and Jay’s record is a more traditional hip-hop record.

With two days left until the release of MCHG on Galaxy handhelds worldwide, we’re still only left with lyrics-sheets to prepare ourselves. How are y’all digging the roll-out?