Jay-Z has opted to move his highly anticipated Black Album forward to combat rampant piracy online and subsequent street bootlegging. The album was initially supposed to drop on November 28, Black Friday also the unofficial start of Christmas shopping, but leaked via the internet as early as Monday.
Now the album has been bumped to drop on November 14, two weeks earlier than planned.
Hova was not pleased, but understood he had to roll with the punches.
“You plan to do one thing and you just have to go to plan B. That’s why we’re moving the release date…. There’s no honor among thieves, people bootleg strictly for capital gain. ” Jay-Z said via statement.
Fans that support the album will be privy to special, high-end incentives not to download the rapper’s “victory lap” out of the rap game.
“I have made sure that my album is available at a lower price for my fans. In turn, I hope my fans will support me and Roc-A-Fella Records and buy my final release in an appropriate way, either via a retail store or a legitimate digital distribution site,” he said.
Furthermore three customers, who purchase the album, will win a Black CLK 320 sport sedan Mercedes Benz. Others will be entered into contests to win limited edition books featuring Jay’s lyrics and original artwork.
According to Roc-A-Fella, “Change Clothes,” Jay’s current single, is the #1 song in the country.
