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→‎Certifications: Updated RIAA certification to 3x Platinum and added both cert year to 2023 and access date to May 11, 2023 for the album Magna Carta Holy Grail by Jay-Z.
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{{good article}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name = Magna Carta Holy Grail
| name = Magna Carta... Holy Grail
| type = studio
| type = studio
| artist = [[Jay-Z|Jay Z]]
| artist = [[Jay-Z|Jay-Z]]
| cover = Magna Carta Holy Grail cover.png
| cover = Magna Carta Holy Grail cover.png
| border = yes
| border = yes
| alt = Two statues of Alpheus and Arethusa behind a gray background. The artist's name (Jay-Z) is crossed out with a black bar.
| alt = Two statues of Alpheus and Arethusa behind a gray background. The artist's name (Jay-Z) is crossed out with a black bar.
| released = {{Start date|2013|7|4|mf=yes}}
| released = {{Start date|2013|7|4|mf=yes}}
| recorded = 2011 – June 2013
| recorded = 2011 – June 2013
| studio = {{flatlist|
| studio = {{flatlist|
* [[Jungle City Studios]] ([[Chalybeate|Chalybeate, New York]])
* [[Jungle City Studios]] ([[Chalybeate|Chalybeate, New York]])
* [[Oven Studios]] (New York City, New York)<ref name="xxlmag1">{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/07/timbaland-breaks-down-jay-zs-magna-carta-holy-grail/ |title=Timbaland Breaks Down The Genesis of Jay Z's 'Magna Carta Holy Grail,' Production Credits |work=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|publisher=Harris Publications |date=July 4, 2013 |access-date=July 4, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Oven Studios]] (New York City, New York)<ref name="xxlmag1">{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/07/timbaland-breaks-down-jay-zs-magna-carta-holy-grail/ |title=Timbaland Breaks Down The Genesis of Jay-Z's 'Magna Carta... Holy Grail,' Production Credits |work=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|publisher=Harris Publications |date=July 4, 2013 |access-date=July 4, 2013}}</ref>
}}
}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]|[[East Coast hip hop]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Stereo |title=The 25 greatest East Coast hip-hop albums of the 1990s |url=https://rollingout.com/2013/07/10/the-10-greatest-east-coast-hip-hop-albums-of-the-1990s/ |website=rollingout |access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref>}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]|[[East Coast hip hop]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Stereo |title=The 25 greatest East Coast hip-hop albums of the 1990s |url=https://rollingout.com/2013/07/10/the-10-greatest-east-coast-hip-hop-albums-of-the-1990s/ |website=rollingout |date=July 10, 2013 |access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref>}}
| length = 58:55
| length = 58:55
| label = {{hlist|[[Roc-A-Fella Records|Roc-A-Fella]]|[[Roc Nation]]|[[Universal Music Distribution|UMD]]|[[The Island Def Jam Music Group]]|[[Third Man Records|Third Man]] (vinyl)}}
| label = {{hlist|[[Roc-A-Fella Records|Roc-A-Fella]]|[[Roc Nation]]|[[Universal Music Distribution|Universal]]|[[Third Man Records|Third Man]] (vinyl)}}
| producer = {{hlist|[[Boi-1da]]|Darhyl "Hey DJ" Camper|[[Hit-Boy]]|[[J-Roc (record producer)|Jerome "Jroc" Harmon]]|[[Justin Timberlake]]|Kyambo "Hip Hop" Joshua|Marz|[[Mike Dean (record producer)|Mike Dean]]|[[Mike Will Made It]]|[[No I.D.]]|[[Pharrell Williams]]|[[Swizz Beatz]]|[[The-Dream]]|[[Timbaland]]|[[Travis Scott (rapper)|Travis Scott]]|[[Vinylz]]|[[WondaGurl]]}}
| producer = {{hlist|[[Boi-1da]]|[[DJ Camper|Darhyl "Hey DJ" Camper]]|[[Hit-Boy]]|[[J-Roc (record producer)|Jerome "Jroc" Harmon]]|[[Justin Timberlake]] |Kyambo "Hip Hop" Joshua|Marz|[[Mike Dean (record producer)|Mike Dean]]|[[Mike Will Made It]]|[[No I.D.]]|[[Pharrell Williams]]|[[Swizz Beatz]]|[[The-Dream]]|[[Timbaland]]|[[Travis Scott (rapper)|Travis Scott]]|[[Vinylz]]|[[WondaGurl]]}}
| prev_title = [[Watch the Throne]]
| prev_title = [[Live in Brooklyn (Jay-Z EP)|Live in Brooklyn]]
| prev_year = 2011
| prev_year = 2012
| next_title = [[4:44]]
| next_title = [[4:44]]
| next_year = 2017
| next_year = 2017
| misc = {{Singles
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Magna Carta Holy Grail
| name = Magna Carta... Holy Grail
| type = studio
| type = studio
| single1 = [[Holy Grail (Jay-Z song)|Holy Grail]]
| single1 = [[Holy Grail (Jay-Z song)|Holy Grail]]
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}}
}}


'''''Magna Carta Holy Grail''''' (alternatively written and stylized as '''''Magna Carta... Holy Grail''''')<ref>{{cite web|title=JAY Z "Magna Carta... Holy Grail" Album Cover|url=http://lifeandtimes.com/jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail-album-cover|publisher=Life and Times|access-date=August 10, 2013}}</ref> is the twelfth [[studio album]] by American rapper [[Jay-Z]]. It was made available at first for free [[Music download|digital download]] for [[Samsung]] customers via the Jay-Z Magna Carta [[mobile app|app]] on July 4, 2013. It was released for retail sale on July 8, 2013, by [[Roc-A-Fella Records|Roc-A-Fella]], [[Roc Nation]], and [[Universal Music Distribution]]. The album features [[guest appearance]]s by [[Justin Timberlake]], [[Nas]], [[Rick Ross]], [[Frank Ocean]] and [[Beyoncé]]. Most of the album was produced by [[Timbaland]] and [[J-Roc (record producer)|Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon]], while other producers included [[Boi-1da]], [[Mike Will Made It]], [[Hit-Boy]], [[Mike Dean (record producer)|Mike Dean]], [[No I.D.]], [[The-Dream]], [[Swizz Beatz]], and [[Pharrell Williams]] among others. The album was promoted through various commercials presented by Samsung and was not preceded by any retail singles.
'''''Magna Carta Holy Grail''''' (alternatively written and stylized as '''''Magna Carta... Holy Grail''''')<ref>{{cite web|title=JAY Z "Magna Carta... Holy Grail" Album Cover|url=http://lifeandtimes.com/jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail-album-cover|publisher=Life and Times|access-date=August 10, 2013}}</ref> is the twelfth [[studio album]] by American rapper [[Jay-Z]]. It was made available at first for free [[Music download|digital download]] for [[Samsung]] customers via the Jay-Z Magna Carta [[mobile app|app]] on July 4, 2013. It was released for retail sale on July 8, 2013 by [[Roc Nation]], [[Roc-A-Fella Records|Roc-A-Fella]], and [[Universal Music Distribution]], as well as the final release by Roc-A-Fella before the label was shuttered. The album features [[guest appearance]]s by [[Justin Timberlake]], [[Nas]], [[Rick Ross]], [[Frank Ocean]] and [[Beyoncé]]. Most of the album was produced by [[Timbaland]] and [[J-Roc (record producer)|Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon]], while other producers included [[Boi-1da]], [[Mike Will Made It]], [[Hit-Boy]], [[Mike Dean (record producer)|Mike Dean]], [[No I.D.]], [[The-Dream]], [[Swizz Beatz]], and [[Pharrell Williams]] among others. The album was promoted through various commercials presented by Samsung and was not preceded by any retail singles.


The album spawned three successful singles, "Holy Grail", "[[Tom Ford (song)|Tom Ford]]" and "[[Part II (On the Run)]]" featuring Beyoncé. Multiple other songs on the album achieved chart success including, "[[FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt]]", "[[Oceans (Jay-Z song)|Oceans]]", "[[Heaven (Jay-Z song)|Heaven]]" and "[[Picasso Baby]]". Additionally, the album was supported by three concert tours: [[Legends of the Summer Stadium Tour|Legends of the Summer]] (co-headlined with [[Justin Timberlake]]), [[Magna Carter World Tour]] and [[On the Run Tour (Beyoncé and Jay-Z)|On the Run Tour]] (co-headlined with his wife [[Beyoncé]]).
The album spawned three successful singles, "Holy Grail", "[[Tom Ford (song)|Tom Ford]]" and "[[Part II (On the Run)]]" featuring Beyoncé. Multiple other songs on the album achieved chart success including, "[[FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt]]", "[[Oceans (Jay-Z song)|Oceans]]", "[[Heaven (Jay-Z song)|Heaven]]" and "[[Picasso Baby]]". Additionally, the album was supported by three concert tours: [[Legends of the Summer Stadium Tour|Legends of the Summer]] (co-headlined with [[Justin Timberlake]]), [[Magna Carter World Tour]] and [[On the Run Tour (Beyoncé and Jay-Z)|On the Run Tour]] (co-headlined with his wife [[Beyoncé]]).


Upon its release, ''Magna Carta Holy Grail'' was met with mixed reviews from [[music journalism|music critics]]. Some complimented the album's production and composition, while others were disappointed with its overall theme and found many songs repetitive. It debuted at number one on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], selling 528,000 copies in its first week, making it Jay-Z's 13th consecutive studio album to top the chart. On September 2, 2013, it was announced that the album was certified [[RIAA Certification|double platinum]] by the [[RIAA]], for shipments of two million copies. At the [[56th Annual Grammy Awards]], the album was nominated in six categories, winning the award for [[Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration|Best Rap/Sung Collaboration]] for "[[Holy Grail (Jay-Z song)|Holy Grail]]" featuring Justin Timberlake.
Upon its release, ''Magna Carta... Holy Grail'' was met with mixed reviews from [[music journalism|music critics]]. Some complimented the album's production and composition, while others were disappointed with its overall theme and found many songs repetitive. It debuted at number one on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], selling 528,000 copies in its first week, making it Jay-Z's 13th consecutive studio album to top the chart. On September 2, 2013, it was announced that the album was certified [[RIAA Certification|double platinum]] by the [[RIAA]], for shipments of two million copies. At the [[56th Annual Grammy Awards]], the album was nominated in six categories, winning the award for [[Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration|Best Rap/Sung Collaboration]] for "[[Holy Grail (Jay-Z song)|Holy Grail]]" featuring Justin Timberlake.


==Background==
==Background==
On September 23, 2010, rapper [[Q-Tip (rapper)|Q-Tip]] confirmed working on Jay-Z's twelfth studio album, with a tentative release in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rapbasement.com/q-tip/092210-q-tip-confirms-his-work-on-jay-zs-next-album-along-with-kanye-west-details-here-click-now.html |title=Q-Tip Confirms Jay-Z's Upcoming New Album |publisher=Rap Basement |date=September 22, 2010 |access-date=July 31, 2011}}</ref> By May 2012, reports arose that he was working on new music with [[Roc Nation]] producer [[Jahlil Beats]]. In an interview with ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'', Beats stated: "Me and Jay-Z been going back and forth. He picked a couple of my joints that he's working on. I don't even wanna say too much about Jay, but we definitely working on some stuff. I haven't even sent him a bunch of beats. I sent him my favorite stuff. He hit me right back like, 'Yo, I'ma go in on this,' or, 'I like this.'"<ref>{{cite web|last=Horowitz|first=Steven|title=Jay-Z Working With Jahlil Beats On New Music|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.19716/title.jay-z-working-with-jahlil-beats-on-new-music/|work=[[HipHopDX]]|publisher=Cheri Media Group|access-date=May 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513113412/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.19716/title.jay-z-working-with-jahlil-beats-on-new-music|archive-date=May 13, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album development was kept a secret, but [[The-Dream]] hinted about a new Jay-Z album in an April 2013 interview with [[WQHT|Hot 97]].<ref name=albumannouncement>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/1567101/jay-z-announces-new-album-magna-carta-holy-grail-in-samsung |title=Jay-Z Announces New Album, 'Magna Carta Holy Grail,' In Samsung Commercial |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |date=June 16, 2013 |access-date=March 1, 2014}}</ref>
On September 23, 2010, rapper [[Q-Tip (rapper)|Q-Tip]] confirmed working on Jay-Z's twelfth studio album, with a tentative release in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rapbasement.com/q-tip/092210-q-tip-confirms-his-work-on-jay-zs-next-album-along-with-kanye-west-details-here-click-now.html |title=Q-Tip Confirms Jay-Z's Upcoming New Album |publisher=Rap Basement |date=September 22, 2010 |access-date=July 31, 2011 |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220164349/http://www.rapbasement.com/q-tip/092210-q-tip-confirms-his-work-on-jay-zs-next-album-along-with-kanye-west-details-here-click-now.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> By May 2012, reports arose that he was working on new music with [[Roc Nation]] producer [[Jahlil Beats]]. In an interview with ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'', Beats stated: "Me and Jay-Z been going back and forth. He picked a couple of my joints that he's working on. I don't even wanna say too much about Jay, but we definitely working on some stuff. I haven't even sent him a bunch of beats. I sent him my favorite stuff. He hit me right back like, 'Yo, I'ma go in on this,' or, 'I like this.'"<ref>{{cite web|last=Horowitz|first=Steven|title=Jay-Z Working With Jahlil Beats On New Music|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.19716/title.jay-z-working-with-jahlil-beats-on-new-music/|work=[[HipHopDX]]|publisher=Cheri Media Group|access-date=May 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513113412/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.19716/title.jay-z-working-with-jahlil-beats-on-new-music|archive-date=May 13, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album development was kept a secret, but [[The-Dream]] hinted about a new Jay-Z album in an April 2013 interview with [[WQHT|Hot 97]].<ref name=albumannouncement>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/1567101/jay-z-announces-new-album-magna-carta-holy-grail-in-samsung |title=Jay-Z Announces New Album, 'Magna Carta Holy Grail,' In Samsung Commercial |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |date=June 16, 2013 |access-date=March 1, 2014}}</ref>


Leading up to the album's announcement, Jay-Z served as an executive producer for both the film ''[[The Great Gatsby (2013 film)|The Great Gatsby]]'' and its [[soundtrack]], ''[[The Great Gatsby: Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film]]'', which he and [[film director]] [[Baz Luhrmann]] worked together for two years .<ref name=Telegraph>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturevideo/filmvideo/cinema-trailers/9973164/New-Great-Gatsby-trailer-reveals-Beyonce-soundtrack.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130405104233/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturevideo/filmvideo/cinema-trailers/9973164/New-Great-Gatsby-trailer-reveals-Beyonce-soundtrack.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 5, 2013|title=New Great Gatsby trailer reveals Beyoncé soundtrack|date=April 5, 2013|access-date=April 5, 2013|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London, United Kingdom|issn=0307-1235|oclc=49632006}}</ref><ref name=Makarechi>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/04/great-gatsby-soundtrack-jay-z-beyonce-andre-3000_n_3014439.html|title='Great Gatsby' Soundtrack Tracklist Includes Jay-Z, Beyonce, Andre 3000, Florence, The XX & More|access-date=April 5, 2013|date=April 4, 2013|first=Kia|last=Makarechi|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|publisher=[[AOL]]}}</ref><ref name=Young>{{cite magazine|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2013/04/the-great-gatsby-soundtrack-features-new-jay-z-the-xx-florence-the-machine/|title=The Great Gatsby soundtrack features new Jay-Z, The xx, Florence & the Machine |first=Alex|last=Young|magazine=[[Consequence of Sound]]|date=April 4, 2013|access-date=April 5, 2013}}</ref> The opening song, "100$ Bill" by Jay-Z contains a [[chopped and screwed]] beat, electro-rap elements and is written in the perspective of a modern-day Gatsby, it was both co-written and produced by [[E*vax]] one half of [[electronic rock]] duo [[Ratatat]].<ref name="newsday">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/backstage-pass-1.811987/hear-the-great-gatsby-soundtrack-now-1.5190401|title=Hear 'The Great Gatsby' soundtrack now|work=[[Newsday]]|publisher=Cablevision|first=Glenn|last=Gamboa|date=May 3, 2013|access-date=May 6, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/04/22/new-music-jay-z-100-bill-snippet/|title=New Music: Jay-Z – 100$ Bill [Snippet]|work=[[Rap-Up]]|publisher=Devin Lazerine|date=April 22, 2013|access-date=April 28, 2013}}</ref><ref name="vibemag">{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/photo-gallery/15-thoughts-on-great-gatsby-soundtrack/|title=15 Thoughts On 'The Great Gatsby' Soundtrack|work=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|publisher=[[Spin Media]]|first=Keith|last=Murphy|date=May 7, 2013}}
Leading up to the album's announcement, Jay-Z served as an executive producer for both the film ''[[The Great Gatsby (2013 film)|The Great Gatsby]]'' and its [[soundtrack]], ''[[The Great Gatsby: Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film]]'', which he and [[film director]] [[Baz Luhrmann]] worked together for two years .<ref name=Telegraph>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturevideo/filmvideo/cinema-trailers/9973164/New-Great-Gatsby-trailer-reveals-Beyonce-soundtrack.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130405104233/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturevideo/filmvideo/cinema-trailers/9973164/New-Great-Gatsby-trailer-reveals-Beyonce-soundtrack.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 5, 2013|title=New Great Gatsby trailer reveals Beyoncé soundtrack|date=April 5, 2013|access-date=April 5, 2013|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London, United Kingdom|issn=0307-1235|oclc=49632006}}</ref><ref name=Makarechi>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/04/great-gatsby-soundtrack-jay-z-beyonce-andre-3000_n_3014439.html|title='Great Gatsby' Soundtrack Tracklist Includes Jay-Z, Beyonce, Andre 3000, Florence, The XX & More|access-date=April 5, 2013|date=April 4, 2013|first=Kia|last=Makarechi|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|publisher=[[AOL]]}}</ref><ref name=Young>{{cite magazine|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2013/04/the-great-gatsby-soundtrack-features-new-jay-z-the-xx-florence-the-machine/|title=The Great Gatsby soundtrack features new Jay-Z, The xx, Florence & the Machine |first=Alex|last=Young|magazine=[[Consequence of Sound]]|date=April 4, 2013|access-date=April 5, 2013}}</ref> The opening song, "100$ Bill" by Jay-Z contains a [[chopped and screwed]] beat, electro-rap elements and is written in the perspective of a modern-day Gatsby, it was both co-written and produced by [[E*vax]] one half of [[electronic rock]] duo [[Ratatat]].<ref name="newsday">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/backstage-pass-1.811987/hear-the-great-gatsby-soundtrack-now-1.5190401|title=Hear 'The Great Gatsby' soundtrack now|work=[[Newsday]]|publisher=Cablevision|first=Glenn|last=Gamboa|date=May 3, 2013|access-date=May 6, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/04/22/new-music-jay-z-100-bill-snippet/|title=New Music: Jay-Z – 100$ Bill [Snippet]|work=[[Rap-Up]]|publisher=Devin Lazerine|date=April 22, 2013|access-date=April 28, 2013}}</ref><ref name="vibemag">{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/photo-gallery/15-thoughts-on-great-gatsby-soundtrack/|title=15 Thoughts On 'The Great Gatsby' Soundtrack|work=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|publisher=[[Spin Media]]|first=Keith|last=Murphy|date=May 7, 2013}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/photo-gallery/15-thoughts-on-great-gatsby-soundtrack/?page=2|title=Page 2 of 4}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/photo-gallery/15-thoughts-on-great-gatsby-soundtrack/?page=2|title=Page 2 of 4|access-date=June 27, 2013|archive-date=October 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025170801/http://www.vibe.com/photo-gallery/15-thoughts-on-great-gatsby-soundtrack/?page=2|url-status=dead}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/photo-gallery/15-thoughts-on-great-gatsby-soundtrack/?page=3|title=Page 3 of 4}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/photo-gallery/15-thoughts-on-great-gatsby-soundtrack/?page=3|title=Page 3 of 4|access-date=June 27, 2013|archive-date=October 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025165203/http://www.vibe.com/photo-gallery/15-thoughts-on-great-gatsby-soundtrack/?page=3|url-status=dead}}</ref>
</ref>


==Recording and production==
==Recording and production==
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In late 2011, it was confirmed three songs had been recorded and one of which featured [[Frank Ocean]] which would end up being "[[Oceans (Jay-Z song)|Oceans]]", the oldest song that appeared on the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/07/jay-z-twitter-answers |title=Jay-Z Twitter Answers |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|publisher=Complex Media |access-date=July 8, 2013}}</ref> The recording for "Oceans" and production for "[[Holy Grail (Jay-Z song)|Holy Grail]]" were completed in 2011, during the recording sessions for Jay's collaborative album with [[Kanye West]], ''[[Watch the Throne]]''. West wanted the two songs to appear on ''Watch the Throne'', however Jay-Z chose to keep them for ''Magna Carta Holy Grail''.<ref name=hhdx>{{cite web|title=Jay-Z Says Kanye West Wanted "Holy Grail" & "Oceans" On "Watch The Throne"|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.24679/title.jay-z-says-kanye-west-wanted-holy-grail-oceans-on-watch-the-throne-|work=[[HipHopDX]]|publisher=Cheri Media Group|access-date=July 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025154456/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.24679/title.jay-z-says-kanye-west-wanted-holy-grail-oceans-on-watch-the-throne-|archive-date=October 25, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> After ''Watch the Throne'' was released, Jay-Z chose to go on a worldwide concert tour instead of devoting more time for the album. Following the end of the tour, the main bulk of recording sessions for ''Magna Carta Holy Grail'' took place at [[Alicia Keys]] and [[Swizz Beatz]]' Jungle City Studios in New York, where [[Justin Timberlake]] and [[Beyoncé Knowles]] were also working on their albums at the time. Jay-Z described the recording process as having a "minimalist approach" to give ''Magna Carta Holy Grail'' a "1990s feel".<ref name=bbc>{{cite web|title=BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe Speaks to Jay-Z about 'Magna Carta... Holy Grail' (Part 1)|url=http://hypetrak.com/2013/07/bbc-radio-1s-zane-lowe-speaks-to-jay-z-about-magna-carta-holy-grail-part-1/|publisher=Hypetrak|access-date=March 1, 2014}}</ref>
In late 2011, it was confirmed three songs had been recorded and one of which featured [[Frank Ocean]] which would end up being "[[Oceans (Jay-Z song)|Oceans]]", the oldest song that appeared on the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/07/jay-z-twitter-answers |title=Jay-Z Twitter Answers |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|publisher=Complex Media |access-date=July 8, 2013}}</ref> The recording for "Oceans" and production for "[[Holy Grail (Jay-Z song)|Holy Grail]]" were completed in 2011, during the recording sessions for Jay's collaborative album with [[Kanye West]], ''[[Watch the Throne]]''. West wanted the two songs to appear on ''Watch the Throne'', however Jay-Z chose to keep them for ''Magna Carta Holy Grail''.<ref name=hhdx>{{cite web|title=Jay-Z Says Kanye West Wanted "Holy Grail" & "Oceans" On "Watch The Throne"|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.24679/title.jay-z-says-kanye-west-wanted-holy-grail-oceans-on-watch-the-throne-|work=[[HipHopDX]]|publisher=Cheri Media Group|access-date=July 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025154456/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.24679/title.jay-z-says-kanye-west-wanted-holy-grail-oceans-on-watch-the-throne-|archive-date=October 25, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> After ''Watch the Throne'' was released, Jay-Z chose to go on a worldwide concert tour instead of devoting more time for the album. Following the end of the tour, the main bulk of recording sessions for ''Magna Carta Holy Grail'' took place at [[Alicia Keys]] and [[Swizz Beatz]]' Jungle City Studios in New York, where [[Justin Timberlake]] and [[Beyoncé Knowles]] were also working on their albums at the time. Jay-Z described the recording process as having a "minimalist approach" to give ''Magna Carta Holy Grail'' a "1990s feel".<ref name=bbc>{{cite web|title=BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe Speaks to Jay-Z about 'Magna Carta... Holy Grail' (Part 1)|url=http://hypetrak.com/2013/07/bbc-radio-1s-zane-lowe-speaks-to-jay-z-about-magna-carta-holy-grail-part-1/|publisher=Hypetrak|access-date=March 1, 2014}}</ref>


While working on Beyoncé's [[Beyoncé (album)|fifth studio album]], frequent collaborator [[Timbaland]] played Jay-Z the instrumental for what would become "[[Picasso Baby]]". According to Jay-Z, that song built the sound of the album. Jay-Z and Timbaland had grown apart after they worked on ''[[The Blueprint 3]]'', but reunited for this album. Timbaland ended up handling the majority of the production on ''Magna Carta Holy Grail''. In an interview with [[BBC Radio 1]], Jay-Z stated that while the two have recorded many songs in the past, it was not until ''Magna Carta Holy Grail'' that they got the chemistry to collaborate for a whole project.<ref name="bbc" /> Producer [[Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon|J-Roc]] described "Picasso Baby" as "just New York". He told ''XXL'' that him and Timbaland "were really just feeling the city, the energy that it gives out" and were inspired by the "numerous different cultures and different dialects or sounds."<ref name="xxl-5p" />
While working on Beyoncé's [[Beyoncé (album)|fifth studio album]], frequent collaborator [[Timbaland]] played Jay-Z the instrumental for what would become "[[Picasso Baby]]". According to Jay-Z, that song built the sound of the album. Jay-Z and Timbaland had grown apart after they worked on ''[[The Blueprint 3]]'', but reunited for this album. Timbaland ended up handling the majority of the production on ''Magna Carta Holy Grail''. In an interview with [[BBC Radio 1]], Jay-Z stated that while the two have recorded many songs in the past, it was not until ''Magna Carta Holy Grail'' that they got the chemistry to collaborate for a whole project.<ref name="bbc" /> Producer [[Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon|J-Roc]] described "Picasso Baby" as "just New York". He told ''XXL'' that he and Timbaland "were really just feeling the city, the energy that it gives out" and were inspired by the "numerous different cultures and different dialects or sounds."<ref name="xxl-5p" />


[[File:Justin Timberlake 2011 AA.jpg|thumb|right|160px|[[Justin Timberlake]] makes three appearances on the album.]]
[[File:Justin Timberlake 2011 AA.jpg|thumb|right|160px|[[Justin Timberlake]] makes three appearances on the album.]]
The instrumental for "[[FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt]]" was started by producer Vinylz, who was inspired by a [[Pimp C]] speech he found on [[YouTube]]. He sampled Pimp C's voice for the intro and then created the instrumental in a short amount of time. After fellow producer [[Boi-1da]] added to the production, the song was sent to [[Rick Ross]] who intended to use it for his upcoming album. Jay-Z was meant to add a guest verse to it, but when he heard the instrumental, he wanted the track for his album. Timbaland added additional changes to it before they mastered the final version.<ref name=xxl-5p>{{cite web|title='Magna Carta Holy Grail' Behind The Scenes: Five Producers Who Helped Craft The Album|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/07/magna-carta-holy-grail-behind-the-scenes-five-producers-who-helped-craft-the-album/|work=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|publisher=Harris Publications|access-date=July 16, 2013}}</ref>
The instrumental for "[[FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt]]" was started by producer Vinylz, who was inspired by a [[Pimp C]] speech he found on [[YouTube]]. He sampled Pimp C's voice for the intro and then created the instrumental in a short amount of time. After fellow producer [[Boi-1da]] added to the production, the song was sent to [[Rick Ross]] who intended to use it for his upcoming album. Jay-Z was meant to add a guest verse to it, but when he heard the instrumental, he wanted the track for his album. Timbaland added additional changes to it before they mastered the final version.<ref name=xxl-5p>{{cite web|title='Magna Carta Holy Grail' Behind The Scenes: Five Producers Who Helped Craft The Album|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/07/magna-carta-holy-grail-behind-the-scenes-five-producers-who-helped-craft-the-album/|work=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|date=July 11, 2013 |publisher=Harris Publications|access-date=July 16, 2013}}</ref>


In 2012, Jay-Z contacted [[GOOD Music]] producer [[Hit-Boy]] about working together on ''Magna Carta Holy Grail''. Hit-Boy created the instrumental for "Somewhereinamerica", a song that was initially supposed to appear on the debut album of Grand Hustle artist [[Travis Scott (rapper)|Travis Scott]]. While in the studio with Jay-Z, Scott played the instrumental for him and Jay-Z instantly liked it.<ref name=xxl-sia>{{cite web|title=Hit-Boy Says "SomeWhereInAmerica" Wasn't Intended For Jay-Z|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/07/hit-boy-says-somewhereinamerica-wasnt-intended-for-jay-z/|work=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|publisher=Harris Publications|access-date=July 16, 2013}}</ref> The instrumental for the song "Crown" was made by 16-year-old Canadian producer [[WondaGurl]]. She had collaborated with Travis Scott on his ''[[Owl Pharaoh]]'' mixtape and went on to produce another track for his upcoming album. Scott liked the instrumental and started to build upon it with [[Mike Dean (record producer)|Mike Dean]]. The two then gave it to Jay-Z who recorded "Crown" over it.<ref name="xxl-5p" />
In 2012, Jay-Z contacted [[GOOD Music]] producer [[Hit-Boy]] about working together on ''Magna Carta Holy Grail''. Hit-Boy created the instrumental for "Somewhereinamerica", a song that was initially supposed to appear on the debut album of Grand Hustle artist [[Travis Scott (rapper)|Travis Scott]]. While in the studio with Jay-Z, Scott played the instrumental for him and Jay-Z instantly liked it.<ref name=xxl-sia>{{cite web|title=Hit-Boy Says "SomeWhereInAmerica" Wasn't Intended For Jay-Z|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/07/hit-boy-says-somewhereinamerica-wasnt-intended-for-jay-z/|work=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|date=July 11, 2013 |publisher=Harris Publications|access-date=July 16, 2013}}</ref> The instrumental for the song "Crown" was made by 16-year-old Canadian producer [[WondaGurl]]. She had collaborated with Travis Scott on his ''[[Owl Pharaoh]]'' mixtape and went on to produce another track for his upcoming album. Scott liked the instrumental and started to build upon it with [[Mike Dean (record producer)|Mike Dean]]. The two then gave it to Jay-Z who recorded "Crown" over it.<ref name="xxl-5p" />


Overall, Jay-Z worked extensively on the album's production with producers such as [[Swizz Beatz]], Timbaland and [[Pharrell Williams]] who were also featured in the Samsung commercials promoting ''Magna Carta Holy Grail''. He had also worked on the album's production with [[Jahlil Beats]], Boi-1da, Mike Dean, [[Kanye West]] and [[Mike Will Made It]], among others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/01/xxl-presents-the-35-most-anticipated-albums-of-2013-3/#34 |title=XXL Presents... The 35 Most Anticipated Albums of 2013 |work=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]] |publisher=Harris Publications |date=January 14, 2013 |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1699660/most-anticipated-rap-albums-2013.jhtml |title=Jay-Z And Eminem Return With 2013's Most Anticipated Hip-Hop Albums |work=[[MTV News]] |publisher=[[Viacom Media Networks]] |date=January 4, 2013 |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/06/the-most-anticipated-summer-albums-of-2013/jay-z |title=2. Jay-Z, TBA — The Most Anticipated Albums of Summer 2013 |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |publisher=Complex Media |date=June 13, 2013 |access-date=March 1, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/06/jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail-tracklist |title=Jay-Z "Magna Carta Holy Grail" Tracklist |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|publisher=Complex Media |access-date=June 23, 2013}}</ref><ref name="mtvhive1">{{cite web |author=Sowmya Krishnamurthy |url=http://www.mtvhive.com/2013/07/03/mike-dean-producer-interview/ |title=Mike Dean Debunks 'Magna Carta Holy Grail' Tracklist, Talks "Sad State" of Rap Music |work=[[MTV Hive]] |publisher=[[Viacom Media Networks]] |access-date=July 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905125540/http://www.mtvhive.com/2013/07/03/mike-dean-producer-interview/ |archive-date=September 5, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He had also been seen in the studio with various recording artists such as [[Drake (rapper)|Drake]], [[The-Dream]], [[Raekwon]], [[Nas]], and Timberlake working on the album.<ref name=albumannouncement/><ref name=autogenerated2 /> The final track listing revealed guest appearances by Timberlake, Frank Ocean, Nas, Pharrell, Swizz Beatz, [[Rick Ross]] and Beyoncé among others.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cooper |first=Roman |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.24421/title.jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail-tracklist-cover-art-spotify-stream |title=Jay-Z "Magna Carta Holy Grail" Release Date & Updated Tracklist |work=[[HipHopDX]] |publisher=Cheri Media Group |access-date=June 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130711233538/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.24421/title.jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail-tracklist-cover-art-spotify-stream |archive-date=July 11, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Overall, Jay-Z worked extensively on the album's production with producers such as [[Swizz Beatz]], Timbaland and [[Pharrell Williams]] who were also featured in the Samsung commercials promoting ''Magna Carta Holy Grail''. He had also worked on the album's production with [[Jahlil Beats]], Boi-1da, Mike Dean, [[Kanye West]] and [[Mike Will Made It]], among others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/01/xxl-presents-the-35-most-anticipated-albums-of-2013-3/#34 |title=XXL Presents... The 35 Most Anticipated Albums of 2013 |work=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]] |publisher=Harris Publications |date=January 14, 2013 |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1699660/most-anticipated-rap-albums-2013.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106113100/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1699660/most-anticipated-rap-albums-2013.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 6, 2013 |title=Jay-Z And Eminem Return With 2013's Most Anticipated Hip-Hop Albums |work=[[MTV News]] |publisher=[[Viacom Media Networks]] |date=January 4, 2013 |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/06/the-most-anticipated-summer-albums-of-2013/jay-z |title=2. Jay-Z, TBA — The Most Anticipated Albums of Summer 2013 |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |publisher=Complex Media |date=June 13, 2013 |access-date=March 1, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/06/jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail-tracklist |title=Jay-Z "Magna Carta Holy Grail" Tracklist |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|publisher=Complex Media |access-date=June 23, 2013}}</ref> He had also been seen in the studio with various recording artists such as [[Drake (rapper)|Drake]], [[The-Dream]], [[Raekwon]], [[Nas]], and Timberlake working on the album.<ref name=albumannouncement/><ref name=autogenerated2 /> [[Mike Dean (record producer)|Mike Dean]] told [[Sowmya Krishnamurthy]] at MTV Hive that a preliminary leaked tracklist was only partially correct.<ref name="mtvhive1">{{cite web |author=Sowmya Krishnamurthy |title=Mike Dean Debunks 'Magna Carta Holy Grail' Tracklist, Talks "Sad State" of Rap Music |url=http://www.mtvhive.com/2013/07/03/mike-dean-producer-interview/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905125540/http://www.mtvhive.com/2013/07/03/mike-dean-producer-interview/ |archive-date=September 5, 2013 |access-date=July 4, 2013 |work=[[MTV Hive]] |publisher=[[Viacom Media Networks]]}}</ref> The final track listing revealed guest appearances by Timberlake, Frank Ocean, Nas, Pharrell, Swizz Beatz, [[Rick Ross]] and Beyoncé among others.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cooper |first=Roman |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.24421/title.jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail-tracklist-cover-art-spotify-stream |title=Jay-Z "Magna Carta Holy Grail" Release Date & Updated Tracklist |work=[[HipHopDX]] |publisher=Cheri Media Group |access-date=June 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130711233538/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.24421/title.jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail-tracklist-cover-art-spotify-stream |archive-date=July 11, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Release and promotion==
==Release and promotion==
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==Singles==
==Singles==
On April 11, 2013, Jay-Z released the first song from the album titled "Open Letter". The song was a response to the critics of his fifth wedding anniversary that took place in [[Cuba]]. This was due to the current [[United States embargo against Cuba]], which required them needing a permit to visit the country.<ref>{{cite web|author=Eric R Danton |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jay-z-addresses-open-letter-to-critics-of-cuba-trip-20130411 |title=Jay-Z Address Cuba Critics on 'Open Letter' |work=[[Rolling Stone]]|publisher=[[Jann Wenner|Wenner Media LLC]] |date=April 11, 2013 |access-date=June 23, 2013}}</ref> The song was produced by [[Swizz Beatz]], and was included on the album as a bonus track. On July 10, 2013, [[Third Man Records]] announced on their website that they had entered a deal to release ''Magna Carta Holy Grail'' on [[LP record|vinyl]], also confirming that "Open Letter" would be included as a vinyl-only bonus track and that there would be "something [else] very special planned for the vinyl edition."<ref name=thirdman>{{cite web|url=http://thirdmanrecords.com/news/view/jay-z-s-magna-carta-holy-grail|title=Jay Z's Magna Carta... Holy Grail|publisher=[[Third Man Records]]|date=July 10, 2013|access-date=July 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820123858/http://thirdmanrecords.com/news/view/jay-z-s-magna-carta-holy-grail|archive-date=August 20, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, the 'vinyl-only' appearance of "Open Letter" has been shown to not apply to all market areas.<ref name="AU CD">{{cite web|url=http://www.sanity.com.au/products/2227925/Magna_Carta_Holy_Grail|title=Magna Carta... Holy Grail|publisher=[[Sanity (music store)|Sanity]]|date=July 8, 2013|access-date=July 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926071824/http://www.sanity.com.au/products/2227925/Magna_Carta_Holy_Grail|archive-date=September 26, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Third Man Records is set to issue "Open Letter" in the form of a [[gramophone record|vinyl single]] designed as a playable letter.<ref name="Exclaim">{{cite journal |url=http://exclaim.ca/News/jack_whites_third_man_records_to_release_jay-zs_open_letter_on_vinyl |title=Jack White's Third Man Records to Release Jay-Z's 'Open Letter' and 'Magna Carta' on Vinyl |journal=[[Exclaim!]] |publisher=Ian Danzig|date=July 10, 2013 |access-date=September 1, 2013 |author=Hughes, Josiah}}</ref> In an interview with [[WQHT|Hot 97]], Jay-Z went into detail about the single's release, saying: "It's in a letter. You can play the letter. It's amazing... You open the letter, and you can actually play the card."<ref name="Exclaim"/>
On April 11, 2013, Jay-Z released the first song from the album titled "Open Letter". The song was a response to the critics of his fifth wedding anniversary that took place in [[Cuba]]. This was due to the current [[United States embargo against Cuba]], which required them needing a permit to visit the country.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Eric R Danton |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jay-z-addresses-open-letter-to-critics-of-cuba-trip-20130411 |title=Jay-Z Address Cuba Critics on 'Open Letter' |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|publisher=[[Jann Wenner|Wenner Media LLC]] |date=April 11, 2013 |access-date=June 23, 2013}}</ref> The song was produced by [[Swizz Beatz]], and was included on the album as a bonus track. On July 10, 2013, [[Jack White]]'s label, [[Third Man Records]], announced on their website that they had entered a deal to release ''Magna Carta Holy Grail'' on [[LP record|vinyl]], also confirming that "Open Letter" would be included as a vinyl-only bonus track and that there would be "something [else] very special planned for the vinyl edition."<ref name=thirdman>{{cite web|url=http://thirdmanrecords.com/news/view/jay-z-s-magna-carta-holy-grail|title=Jay Z's Magna Carta... Holy Grail|publisher=[[Third Man Records]]|date=July 10, 2013|access-date=July 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820123858/http://thirdmanrecords.com/news/view/jay-z-s-magna-carta-holy-grail|archive-date=August 20, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The 'vinyl-only' appearance of "Open Letter" was thought to have been shown to not apply to all market areas, but it was later discovered upon the vinyl's re-release in early 2015 that "Open Letter" was hidden as an [[Easter egg (media)|easter egg]] within the back flap of the packaging, which would require the buyer to cut open the back end of it to retrieve the single in the form of a [[flexi disc]], constructed like a "playable card".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-08-03 |title=Jay Z Re-Releases 'Magna Carta Holy Grail' in Vinyl With Hidden Bonus Track |url=https://hiphop-n-more.com/2015/08/jay-z-re-releases-magna-carta-holy-grail-in-vinyl-with-hidden-bonus-track/ |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=HipHop-N-More |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="AU CD">{{cite web|url=http://www.sanity.com.au/products/2227925/Magna_Carta_Holy_Grail|title=Magna Carta... Holy Grail|publisher=[[Sanity (music store)|Sanity]]|date=July 8, 2013|access-date=July 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926071824/http://www.sanity.com.au/products/2227925/Magna_Carta_Holy_Grail|archive-date=September 26, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Jay-Z - Magna Carta Holy Grail [Vinyl] {{!}} RECORD STORE DAY |url=https://recordstoreday.com/UPC/858936003479/Jay-Z_Magna-Carta-Holy-Grail-Vinyl |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=recordstoreday.com}}</ref> Third Man was originally set to issue "Open Letter" in the form of a [[Phonograph record|vinyl single]] designed as a playable letter.<ref name="Exclaim">{{cite journal |url=http://exclaim.ca/News/jack_whites_third_man_records_to_release_jay-zs_open_letter_on_vinyl |title=Jack White's Third Man Records to Release Jay-Z's 'Open Letter' and 'Magna Carta' on Vinyl |journal=[[Exclaim!]] |publisher=Ian Danzig|date=July 10, 2013 |access-date=September 1, 2013 |author=Hughes, Josiah}}</ref> In an interview with [[WQHT|Hot 97]], Jay-Z went into detail about the single's release, saying: "It's in a letter. You can play the letter. It's amazing... You open the letter, and you can actually play the card."<ref name="Exclaim"/>


The song "[[Holy Grail (Jay-Z song)|Holy Grail]]" features vocals from singer Justin Timberlake and served as the album's first single.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.tv/news/jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail-justin-timberlake |title=[FIRST LISTEN&#93; Jay Z Drops "Holy Grail" In Most Innovative Campaign Which Turned Out To Be A Flop&#124;JAY Z&#124; News &#124; MTV European |work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=[[Viacom Media Networks]] |date=July 4, 2013 |access-date=August 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/07/stream-jay-zs-magna-carta-holy-grail-on-hot-97/ |title=Stream Jay-Z's 'Magna Carta Holy Grail' On Hot 97 |work=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]] |publisher=Harris Publications |date=July 4, 2013 |access-date=August 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/07/jay-z-justin-timberlake-holy-grail |title=Jay-Z Justin Timberlake Holy Grail |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|publisher=Complex Media |date=July 4, 2013 |access-date=August 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fuse.tv/2013/07/listen-jay-z-holy-grail-justin-timberlake |title=Listen: Jay-Z's "Holy Grail" ft. Justin Timberlake – Fuse |publisher=[[Fuse (TV channel)|Fuse]] |date=July 5, 2013 |access-date=August 4, 2013}}</ref> It was produced by [[The-Dream]], Timbaland and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, with additional production from [[No ID]] and containing elements of [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]'s 1991 hit single "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]". Following the release of the album, the song debuted at number eight on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Grein |first=Paul |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-july-14-2013-albums-jay-z-030009697.html |title=Week Ending July 14, 2013. Albums: Jay-Z Back On The Throne |work= Chart Watch|publisher=[[Yahoo!]] |date=July 16, 2013 |access-date=August 4, 2013}}</ref> and number 24 on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/music-charts/ |title=Official UK Singles Top 100 – 20th July 2013 |publisher=[[UK Singles Chart]]. [[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=July 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210100326/http://www.officialcharts.com/music-charts/ |archive-date=February 10, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The song has since peaked at number four on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="SinglesUSPeaks" /> The music video was released on August 29, 2013, making social media history as the first time a clip from major artists debuted strictly on [[Facebook]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/08/29/video-jay-z-f-justin-timberlake-holy-grail/ |title=Video: Jay Z f/ Justin Timberlake – 'Holy Grail' |work=[[Rap-Up]]|publisher=Rap Up, LLC |date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=March 16, 2014}}</ref>
The song "[[Holy Grail (Jay-Z song)|Holy Grail]]" features vocals from singer Justin Timberlake and served as the album's first single.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.tv/news/jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail-justin-timberlake |title=[FIRST LISTEN&#93; Jay Z Drops "Holy Grail" In Most Innovative Campaign Which Turned Out To Be A Flop&#124;JAY Z&#124; News &#124; MTV European |work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=[[Viacom Media Networks]] |date=July 4, 2013 |access-date=August 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/07/stream-jay-zs-magna-carta-holy-grail-on-hot-97/ |title=Stream Jay-Z's 'Magna Carta Holy Grail' On Hot 97 |work=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]] |publisher=Harris Publications |date=July 4, 2013 |access-date=August 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/07/jay-z-justin-timberlake-holy-grail |title=Jay-Z Justin Timberlake Holy Grail |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |publisher=Complex Media |date=July 4, 2013 |access-date=August 4, 2013 |archive-date=October 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025142441/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/07/jay-z-justin-timberlake-holy-grail |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fuse.tv/2013/07/listen-jay-z-holy-grail-justin-timberlake |title=Listen: Jay-Z's "Holy Grail" ft. Justin Timberlake – Fuse |publisher=[[Fuse (TV channel)|Fuse]] |date=July 5, 2013 |access-date=August 4, 2013}}</ref> It was produced by [[The-Dream]], Timbaland and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, with additional production from [[No I.D.]] and containing elements of [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]'s 1991 hit single "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]". Following the release of the album, the song debuted at number eight on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Grein |first=Paul |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-july-14-2013-albums-jay-z-030009697.html |title=Week Ending July 14, 2013. Albums: Jay-Z Back On The Throne |work= Chart Watch|publisher=[[Yahoo!]] |date=July 16, 2013 |access-date=August 4, 2013}}</ref> and number 24 on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/music-charts/ |title=Official UK Singles Top 100 – 20th July 2013 |publisher=[[UK Singles Chart]]. [[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=July 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210100326/http://www.officialcharts.com/music-charts/ |archive-date=February 10, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The song has since peaked at number four on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="SinglesUSPeaks" /> The music video, directed by [[Anthony Mandler]], was released on August 29, 2013, making social media history as the first time a clip from major artists debuted strictly on [[Facebook]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/08/29/video-jay-z-f-justin-timberlake-holy-grail/ |title=Video: Jay Z f/ Justin Timberlake – 'Holy Grail' |work=[[Rap-Up]]|publisher=Rap Up, LLC |date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=March 16, 2014}}</ref>


On September 26, 2013, the album's second single "[[Tom Ford (song)|Tom Ford]]" was serviced to [[urban contemporary]] radio in the [[United Kingdom]] and then on October 15, 2013, to [[rhythmic contemporary]] in the United States.<ref name="USRadioRelease">{{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases |title=Top 40/Rhythmic-Crossover Future Releases |publisher=All Access Music Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012004014/http://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Prior to its single release, the song peaked at number 39 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name="SinglesUSPeaks">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/304305/jay-z/chart |title=Jay-Z – Chart history |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=Prometheus Global Media |access-date=November 26, 2013}}</ref> "[[Part II (On the Run)]]" featuring [[Beyoncé Knowles|Beyoncé]] was serviced to [[contemporary hit radio]] stations on February 18, 2014 as the album's third single.<ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases |title=Top 40 Mainstream Releases |publisher=All Access Music Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091024040128/http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases |archive-date=October 24, 2009 |access-date=January 31, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The song has since peaked at number 80 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="SinglesUSPeaks" />
On September 26, 2013, the album's second single "[[Tom Ford (song)|Tom Ford]]" was serviced to [[urban contemporary]] radio in the [[United Kingdom]] and then on October 15, 2013, to [[rhythmic contemporary]] in the United States.<ref name="USRadioRelease">{{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases |title=Top 40/Rhythmic-Crossover Future Releases |publisher=All Access Music Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012004014/http://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Prior to its single release, the song peaked at number 39 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name="SinglesUSPeaks">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/304305/jay-z/chart |title=Jay-Z – Chart history |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=Prometheus Global Media |access-date=November 26, 2013}}</ref> "[[Part II (On the Run)]]" featuring [[Beyoncé Knowles|Beyoncé]] was serviced to [[contemporary hit radio]] stations on February 18, 2014 as the album's third single.<ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases |title=Top 40 Mainstream Releases |publisher=All Access Music Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091024040128/http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases |archive-date=October 24, 2009 |access-date=January 31, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The song has since peaked at number 80 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="SinglesUSPeaks" />


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
Line 95: Line 94:
| rev7Score = 5.8/10<ref name="Cohen">{{cite web|last=Cohen|first=Ian|title=Jay-Z: Magna Carta Holy Grail: Album Reviews|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18247-jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail/|work=Pitchfork|publisher=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|access-date=July 8, 2013}}</ref>
| rev7Score = 5.8/10<ref name="Cohen">{{cite web|last=Cohen|first=Ian|title=Jay-Z: Magna Carta Holy Grail: Album Reviews|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18247-jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail/|work=Pitchfork|publisher=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|access-date=July 8, 2013}}</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev8 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev8Score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite journal|last=Vozick-Levinson|first=Simon|date=July 10, 2013|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/magna-carta-holy-grail-20130710|title=Jay-Z's 'Magna Carta... Holy Grail'|journal=[[Rolling Stone]]|location=New York|access-date=August 6, 2013}}</ref>
| rev8Score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Vozick-Levinson|first=Simon|date=July 10, 2013|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/magna-carta-holy-grail-20130710|title=Jay-Z's 'Magna Carta... Holy Grail'|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|location=New York|access-date=August 6, 2013}}</ref>
| rev9 = ''[[Spin Magazine|Spin]]''
| rev9 = ''[[Spin Magazine|Spin]]''
| rev9Score = 5/10<ref name="Sargent">{{cite web|last=Sargent |first=Jordan |url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail-samsung-july-4/ |title=Jay-Z, 'Magna Carta Holy Grail' (Roc-A-Fella/Roc Nation/Universal) |work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|publisher=[[Spin Media]]|date=July 7, 2013|access-date=July 7, 2013}}</ref>
| rev9Score = 5/10<ref name="Sargent">{{cite web|last=Sargent |first=Jordan |url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail-samsung-july-4/ |title=Jay-Z, 'Magna Carta Holy Grail' (Roc-A-Fella/Roc Nation/Universal) |work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|publisher=[[Spin Media]]|date=July 7, 2013|access-date=July 7, 2013}}</ref>
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===Accolades===
===Accolades===
''Magna Carta Holy Grail'' was met with many accolades and was named in multiple "Albums of the Year" lists by major publications. ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' ranked the album at number 23, on their list of the 50 best albums of 2013. They praised the "high-gloss production," and strong rhymes by Jay-Z, deeming it "very listenable".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/12/the-50-best-albums-of-2013/jay-z-mchg |title=23. Jay Z, Magna Carta... Holy Grail — The 50 Best Albums of 2013 |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |publisher=Complex Media |date=December 9, 2013 |access-date=March 1, 2014}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' named it the tenth best hip hop album of the 2013 saying, "The legendary MC explored of-the-moment sounds, textures and tempos in ways only he could [...] Even on a bit of an off day, Jay is still plenty impressive."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/20-best-hip-hop-albums-of-2013-20131217/jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail-19691231 |title=20 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2013: Jay Z, 'Magna Carta . . . Holy Grail' |work=[[Rolling Stone]]|publisher=[[Jann Wenner|Wenner Media LLC]] |access-date=March 1, 2014}}</ref> It was named the eighth best album of 2013 by ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/12/the-25-best-albums-of-2013/4/ |title=The 25 Best Albums Of 2013 - Page 4 of 6 |work=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]] |publisher=Harris Publications |date=December 23, 2013 |access-date=March 1, 2014}}</ref> The album was also nominated for a few awards. It was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2013 [[BET Hip Hop Awards]].<ref name="Here Are The BET Award Nominees">{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/08/bet-award-2013-nominees |title=Here Are The BET Award Nominees |work=Complex|publisher=Complex Media |date=August 22, 2013 |access-date=August 25, 2013}}</ref> At the [[56th Annual Grammy Awards]] in 2014, the album received a nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Album|Best Rap Album]].<ref name="56th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees">{{cite web|title=56th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees |url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees |publisher=[[National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences]] |access-date=December 7, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201232857/http://www.grammy.com/nominees |archive-date=December 1, 2011 }}</ref>
''Magna Carta Holy Grail'' was met with many accolades and was named in multiple "Albums of the Year" lists by major publications. ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' ranked the album at number 23, on their list of the 50 best albums of 2013. They praised the "high-gloss production," and strong rhymes by Jay-Z, deeming it "very listenable".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/12/the-50-best-albums-of-2013/jay-z-mchg |title=23. Jay Z, Magna Carta... Holy Grail — The 50 Best Albums of 2013 |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |publisher=Complex Media |date=December 9, 2013 |access-date=March 1, 2014}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' named it the tenth best hip hop album of the 2013 saying, "The legendary MC explored of-the-moment sounds, textures and tempos in ways only he could [...] Even on a bit of an off day, Jay is still plenty impressive."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/20-best-hip-hop-albums-of-2013-20131217/jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail-19691231 |title=20 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2013: Jay Z, 'Magna Carta . . . Holy Grail' |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=December 17, 2013 |publisher=[[Jann Wenner|Wenner Media LLC]] |access-date=March 1, 2014}}</ref> It was named the eighth best album of 2013 by ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/12/the-25-best-albums-of-2013/4/ |title=The 25 Best Albums Of 2013 - Page 4 of 6 |work=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]] |publisher=Harris Publications |date=December 23, 2013 |access-date=March 1, 2014}}</ref> The album was also nominated for a few awards. It was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2013 [[BET Hip Hop Awards]].<ref name="Here Are The BET Award Nominees">{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/08/bet-award-2013-nominees |title=Here Are The BET Award Nominees |work=Complex |publisher=Complex Media |date=August 22, 2013 |access-date=August 25, 2013 |archive-date=May 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517131031/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/08/bet-award-2013-nominees |url-status=dead }}</ref> At the [[56th Annual Grammy Awards]] in 2014, the album received a nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Album|Best Rap Album]].<ref name="56th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees">{{cite web|title=56th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees |url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees |publisher=[[National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences]] |access-date=December 7, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201232857/http://www.grammy.com/nominees |archive-date=December 1, 2011 }}</ref>


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
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==Commercial performance==
==Commercial performance==
''Magna Carta Holy Grail'' was certified [[RIAA certification|platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) on the day of its release due to a deal with Jay-Z and [[Samsung]], where they agreed to purchase one million copies of the album to offer to their users for free.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/07/jay-z-did-in-fact-go-platinum.html|title=Jay-Z Did in Fact Go Platinum|website=[[Vulture.com]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|author=Amanda Dobbins|date=July 10, 2013|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> The album ultimately debuted at No. 1 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart, selling 528,000 copies in its first week.<ref name="billboard-debut">{{cite web|title=Jay-Z's 'Magna Carta' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1924866/jay-zs-magna-carta-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-chart|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=July 17, 2013}}</ref> This became Jay-Z's 13th consecutive number one album in the US.<ref name="billboard-debut"/> It also bypassed its predicted debut in the range of 350,000 to 400,000.<ref name="billboard-debut"/> In its second week, the album remained at number one on the chart, selling an additional 129,000 copies.<ref name="Keith Caulfield">{{cite web|title=Jay-Z's 'Magna Carta' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/jay-zs-magna-carta-holds-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-for-second-4430137/|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|author=Keith Caulfield|date=July 24, 2013|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> It also became the first rap album to spend two consecutive weeks on top since [[Lil Wayne]]'s ''[[Tha Carter IV]]'' (2011), despite the 76% drop in sales.<ref name="Keith Caulfield"/> In its third week, the album dropped to number two on the chart, selling 77,000 more copies.<ref>{{cite web|title=Selena Gomez Earns First No. 1 on Billboard 200|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5315966/selena-gomez-earns-first-no-1-on-billboard-200|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|author=Keith Caulfield|date=July 31, 2013|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> In its fourth week, the album dropped to number three on the chart, selling 62,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web|title=Robin Thicke Gets First No. 1 Album On Billboard 200 Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5638317/robin-thicke-gets-first-no-1-album-on-billboard-200|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|author=Keith Caulfield|date=August 7, 2013|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> On September 5, 2013, the album was certified double platinum by the RIAA for shipments of over two million copies.<ref name="RIAA"/> By the end of 2013, the album sold 1,099,000 copies in the United States, making it the tenth best-selling album of the year.<ref name="sales 2013">{{cite web |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/music-news/chart-watch-top-10-albums-songs-2013-184702481.html |title=The Top 10 Albums and Songs of 2013 | author= Paul Grein |date=January 2, 2014 |work=Chart Watch |publisher=[[Yahoo!]] }}</ref> In 2013, ''Magna Carta Holy Grail'' was ranked as the 12th most popular album of the year on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Billboard 200 Albums - Year-End|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/top-billboard-200-albums|access-date=2020-08-06|website=Billboard}}</ref> As of February 2014, the album had sold 1,130,000 copies in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tardio |first=Andres |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27669/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-2-23-2014 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 2/23/2014 |work=[[HipHopDX]] |publisher=Cheri Media Group |date=February 26, 2014 |access-date=March 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427230253/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27669/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-2-23-2014 |archive-date=April 27, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
''Magna Carta Holy Grail'' was certified [[RIAA certification|platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) on the day of its release due to a deal with Jay-Z and [[Samsung]], where they agreed to purchase one million copies of the album to offer to their users for free.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/07/jay-z-did-in-fact-go-platinum.html|title=Jay-Z Did in Fact Go Platinum|website=[[Vulture.com]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|author=Amanda Dobbins|date=July 10, 2013|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> The album ultimately debuted at number one on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart, selling 528,000 copies in its first week.<ref name="billboard-debut">{{cite magazine|title=Jay-Z's 'Magna Carta' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1924866/jay-zs-magna-carta-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-chart|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=July 17, 2013}}</ref> This became Jay-Z's 13th consecutive number one album in the US.<ref name="billboard-debut"/> It also bypassed its predicted debut in the range of 350,000 to 400,000.<ref name="billboard-debut"/> In its second week, the album remained at number one on the chart, selling an additional 129,000 copies.<ref name="Keith Caulfield">{{cite magazine|title=Jay-Z's 'Magna Carta' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/jay-zs-magna-carta-holds-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-for-second-4430137/|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|author=Keith Caulfield|date=July 24, 2013|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> It also became the first rap album to spend two consecutive weeks on top since [[Lil Wayne]]'s ''[[Tha Carter IV]]'' (2011), despite the 76% drop in sales.<ref name="Keith Caulfield"/> In its third week, the album dropped to number two on the chart, selling 77,000 more copies.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Selena Gomez Earns First No. 1 on Billboard 200|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5315966/selena-gomez-earns-first-no-1-on-billboard-200|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|author=Keith Caulfield|date=July 31, 2013|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> In its fourth week, the album dropped to number three on the chart, selling 62,000 copies.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Robin Thicke Gets First No. 1 Album On Billboard 200 Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5638317/robin-thicke-gets-first-no-1-album-on-billboard-200|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|author=Keith Caulfield|date=August 7, 2013|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> On September 5, 2013, the album was certified double platinum by the RIAA for shipments of over two million copies.<ref name="RIAA"/> By the end of 2013, the album sold 1,099,000 copies in the United States, making it the tenth best-selling album of the year.<ref name="sales 2013">{{cite web |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/music-news/chart-watch-top-10-albums-songs-2013-184702481.html |title=The Top 10 Albums and Songs of 2013 | author= Paul Grein |date=January 2, 2014 |work=Chart Watch |publisher=[[Yahoo!]] }}</ref> In 2013, ''Magna Carta Holy Grail'' was ranked as the 12th most popular album of the year on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Billboard 200 Albums - Year-End|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/top-billboard-200-albums|access-date=2020-08-06|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> As of February 2014, the album had sold 1,130,000 copies in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tardio |first=Andres |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27669/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-2-23-2014 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 2/23/2014 |work=[[HipHopDX]] |publisher=Cheri Media Group |date=February 26, 2014 |access-date=March 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427230253/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27669/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-2-23-2014 |archive-date=April 27, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
Line 176: Line 175:


| title7 = Somewhereinamerica
| title7 = Somewhereinamerica
| writer7 = {{hlist|Carter|[[Hit-Boy|Chauncey Hollis, Jr.]]|Darhyl "Hey DJ" Camper, Jr.|[[Mike Dean (record producer)|Michael Dean]]}}
| writer7 = {{hlist|Carter|[[Hit-Boy|Chauncey Hollis, Jr.]]|[[DJ Camper|Darhyl "Hey DJ" Camper, Jr.]]|[[Mike Dean (record producer)|Michael Dean]]}}
| extra7 = {{hlist|[[Hit-Boy]]|Hey DJ Camper|[[Mike Dean (record producer)|Mike Dean]]}}
| extra7 = {{hlist|[[Hit-Boy]]|[[DJ Camper|Hey DJ Camper]]|[[Mike Dean (record producer)|Mike Dean]]}}
| length7 = 2:28
| length7 = 2:28


| title8 = Crown
| title8 = Crown
| writer8 = {{hlist|Carter|[[WondaGurl|Ebony Oshunrinde]]|[[Travis Scott|Jacques Webster]]|M. Dean|Kirk Bennett|[[Sizzla|Miguel Collins]]|Bobby Dixon}}
| writer8 = {{hlist|Carter|[[WondaGurl|Ebony Oshunrinde]]|[[Travis Scott|Jacques Webster]]|M. Dean|Kirk Bennett|[[Sizzla|Miguel Collins]]|Bobby Dixon}}
| extra8 = {{hlist|[[WondaGurl]]|[[Travis Scott]]|M. Dean}}
| extra8 = {{hlist|[[WondaGurl]]|[[Travis Scott]]|
|M. Dean}}
| length8 = 4:33
| length8 = 4:33


Line 227: Line 227:
}}
}}
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Vinyl edition bonus track<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soundscape.storenvy.com/collections/146181-12-vinyl-records/products/17114547-jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail-lp|title=Jay-Z – Magna Carta... Holy Grail LP|publisher=[[Storenvy]]|access-date=September 15, 2016}}</ref>
| headline = Vinyl edition bonus flexi-disc card track<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soundscape.storenvy.com/collections/146181-12-vinyl-records/products/17114547-jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail-lp|title=Jay-Z – Magna Carta... Holy Grail LP|publisher=[[Storenvy]]|access-date=September 15, 2016}}</ref>
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title17 = Open Letter
| title17 = Open Letter
| writer17 = {{hlist|Carter|K. Dean|Mosley|Harmon}}
| writer17 = {{hlist|Carter|K. Dean|Mosley|Harmon}}
Line 235: Line 234:
| length17 = 2:40
| length17 = 2:40
}}
}}

'''Notes'''
'''Notes'''
*<sup>{{note|a|a}}</sup> signifies a co-[[record producer|producer]].
*<sup>{{note|a|a}}</sup> signifies a co-[[record producer|producer]].
Line 272: Line 272:
* The-Dream – producer, vocals
* The-Dream – producer, vocals
* Chris Gehringer – [[Audio mastering|mastering]]
* Chris Gehringer – [[Audio mastering|mastering]]
* Chris Godbey – [[Audio engineer|engineer]]
* [[Chris Godbey]] – [[Audio engineer|engineer]]
* Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon – additional production, producer
* Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon – additional production, producer
* Hit-Boy – producer
* Hit-Boy – producer
Line 290: Line 290:
* [[WondaGurl|Ebony "WondaGurl" Oshunrinde]] – additional production
* [[WondaGurl|Ebony "WondaGurl" Oshunrinde]] – additional production
* Willo Perron – creative director
* Willo Perron – creative director
* Ramon Rivas – assistant engineer, engineer
* [[Lifeof9000|Ramon Rivas]] – assistant engineer, engineer
* Brian Roettinger – [[Art director|art direction]]
* Brian Roettinger – [[Art director|art direction]]
* Rick Ross – featured artist
* Rick Ross – featured artist
Line 389: Line 389:
|175
|175
|-
|-
!scope="row"| Canadian Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/top-canadian-albums?page=2 |title=Canadian Albums |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |access-date=January 7, 2014}}</ref>
!scope="row"| Canadian Albums Chart<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/top-canadian-albums?page=2 |title=Canadian Albums |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |access-date=January 7, 2014}}</ref>
|24
|24
|-
|-
Line 401: Line 401:
|70
|70
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/the-billboard-200?page=1 |title=2013 Year-End Charts – Billboard 200 Albums |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |access-date=December 13, 2013}}</ref>
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/the-billboard-200?page=1 |title=2013 Year-End Charts – Billboard 200 Albums |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |access-date=December 13, 2013}}</ref>
|12
|12
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/top-r-b-hip-hop-albums |title=R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: 2013 Year-End Charts |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |access-date=March 1, 2014}}</ref>
!scope="row"|US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/top-r-b-hip-hop-albums |title=R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: 2013 Year-End Charts |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |access-date=March 1, 2014}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|4
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|}
|}
Line 414: Line 414:
! scope="col"| Position
! scope="col"| Position
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/decade-end/billboard-200|title=Decade-End Charts: Billboard 200|work=Billboard|access-date=July 10, 2020}}</ref>
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/decade-end/billboard-200|title=Decade-End Charts: Billboard 200|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 10, 2020}}</ref>
| 121
| 121
|}
|}
Line 423: Line 423:
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|relyear=2013|title=Magna Carta... Holy Grail|artist=Jay-Z|type=album|award=Platinum|access-date=September 3, 2013}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|relyear=2013|title=Magna Carta... Holy Grail|artist=Jay-Z|type=album|award=Platinum|access-date=September 3, 2013}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|relyear=2013|title=Magna Carta... Holy Grail|artist=Jay-Z|type=album|award=Gold|id=12917|certyear=2023|access-date=September 23, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|relyear=2013|title=Magna Carta... Holy Grail|artist=Jay-Z|type=album|award=Gold|access-date=September 10, 2013|id=9790-1475-2|certyear=2013|certmonth=8}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|relyear=2013|title=Magna Carta... Holy Grail|artist=Jay-Z|type=album|award=Gold|access-date=September 10, 2013|id=9790-1475-2|certyear=2013|certmonth=8}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|relyear=2013|certyear=2023|title=Magna Carta|artist=Jay-Z|type=album|award=Platinum|number=3|accessdate=May 5, 2023|refname="RIAA"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|relyear=2013|certyear=2023|title=Magna Carta|artist=Jay-Z|type=album|award=Platinum|number=3|accessdate=May 5, 2023|refname="RIAA"}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}


==Release history==
==Release history==
Line 498: Line 499:
}}
}}
|-
|-
| United States<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/51466-jack-whites-third-man-to-release-jay-zs-magna-carta-holy-grail-as-7-box-set/|title=Jack White's Third Man to Release Jay Z's Magna Carta Holy Grail as 7" Box Set|work=Pitchfork}}</ref>
| United States<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/51466-jack-whites-third-man-to-release-jay-zs-magna-carta-holy-grail-as-7-box-set/|title=Jack White's Third Man to Release Jay Z's Magna Carta Holy Grail as 7" Box Set|work=Pitchfork|date=March 18, 2015 }}</ref><ref name=":0" />
| March 20, 2015
| March 20, 2015
| [[LP record|Vinyl]]
| [[LP record|Vinyl]]

Revision as of 14:19, 8 September 2024

Magna Carta... Holy Grail
Two statues of Alpheus and Arethusa behind a gray background. The artist's name (Jay-Z) is crossed out with a black bar.
Studio album by
ReleasedJuly 4, 2013 (2013-07-04)
Recorded2011 – June 2013
Studio
Genre
Length58:55
Label
Producer
Jay-Z chronology
Live in Brooklyn
(2012)
Magna Carta... Holy Grail
(2013)
4:44
(2017)
Singles from Magna Carta... Holy Grail
  1. "Holy Grail"
    Released: July 10, 2013
  2. "Tom Ford"
    Released: September 26, 2013
  3. "Part II (On the Run)"
    Released: February 18, 2014

Magna Carta Holy Grail (alternatively written and stylized as Magna Carta... Holy Grail)[3] is the twelfth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was made available at first for free digital download for Samsung customers via the Jay-Z Magna Carta app on July 4, 2013. It was released for retail sale on July 8, 2013 by Roc Nation, Roc-A-Fella, and Universal Music Distribution, as well as the final release by Roc-A-Fella before the label was shuttered. The album features guest appearances by Justin Timberlake, Nas, Rick Ross, Frank Ocean and Beyoncé. Most of the album was produced by Timbaland and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, while other producers included Boi-1da, Mike Will Made It, Hit-Boy, Mike Dean, No I.D., The-Dream, Swizz Beatz, and Pharrell Williams among others. The album was promoted through various commercials presented by Samsung and was not preceded by any retail singles.

The album spawned three successful singles, "Holy Grail", "Tom Ford" and "Part II (On the Run)" featuring Beyoncé. Multiple other songs on the album achieved chart success including, "FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt", "Oceans", "Heaven" and "Picasso Baby". Additionally, the album was supported by three concert tours: Legends of the Summer (co-headlined with Justin Timberlake), Magna Carter World Tour and On the Run Tour (co-headlined with his wife Beyoncé).

Upon its release, Magna Carta... Holy Grail was met with mixed reviews from music critics. Some complimented the album's production and composition, while others were disappointed with its overall theme and found many songs repetitive. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling 528,000 copies in its first week, making it Jay-Z's 13th consecutive studio album to top the chart. On September 2, 2013, it was announced that the album was certified double platinum by the RIAA, for shipments of two million copies. At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, the album was nominated in six categories, winning the award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Holy Grail" featuring Justin Timberlake.

Background

On September 23, 2010, rapper Q-Tip confirmed working on Jay-Z's twelfth studio album, with a tentative release in 2011.[4] By May 2012, reports arose that he was working on new music with Roc Nation producer Jahlil Beats. In an interview with XXL, Beats stated: "Me and Jay-Z been going back and forth. He picked a couple of my joints that he's working on. I don't even wanna say too much about Jay, but we definitely working on some stuff. I haven't even sent him a bunch of beats. I sent him my favorite stuff. He hit me right back like, 'Yo, I'ma go in on this,' or, 'I like this.'"[5] The album development was kept a secret, but The-Dream hinted about a new Jay-Z album in an April 2013 interview with Hot 97.[6]

Leading up to the album's announcement, Jay-Z served as an executive producer for both the film The Great Gatsby and its soundtrack, The Great Gatsby: Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film, which he and film director Baz Luhrmann worked together for two years .[7][8][9] The opening song, "100$ Bill" by Jay-Z contains a chopped and screwed beat, electro-rap elements and is written in the perspective of a modern-day Gatsby, it was both co-written and produced by E*vax one half of electronic rock duo Ratatat.[10][11][12]

Recording and production

Timbaland provided the bulk of the production on the album.

In late 2011, it was confirmed three songs had been recorded and one of which featured Frank Ocean which would end up being "Oceans", the oldest song that appeared on the album.[13] The recording for "Oceans" and production for "Holy Grail" were completed in 2011, during the recording sessions for Jay's collaborative album with Kanye West, Watch the Throne. West wanted the two songs to appear on Watch the Throne, however Jay-Z chose to keep them for Magna Carta Holy Grail.[14] After Watch the Throne was released, Jay-Z chose to go on a worldwide concert tour instead of devoting more time for the album. Following the end of the tour, the main bulk of recording sessions for Magna Carta Holy Grail took place at Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz' Jungle City Studios in New York, where Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé Knowles were also working on their albums at the time. Jay-Z described the recording process as having a "minimalist approach" to give Magna Carta Holy Grail a "1990s feel".[15]

While working on Beyoncé's fifth studio album, frequent collaborator Timbaland played Jay-Z the instrumental for what would become "Picasso Baby". According to Jay-Z, that song built the sound of the album. Jay-Z and Timbaland had grown apart after they worked on The Blueprint 3, but reunited for this album. Timbaland ended up handling the majority of the production on Magna Carta Holy Grail. In an interview with BBC Radio 1, Jay-Z stated that while the two have recorded many songs in the past, it was not until Magna Carta Holy Grail that they got the chemistry to collaborate for a whole project.[15] Producer J-Roc described "Picasso Baby" as "just New York". He told XXL that he and Timbaland "were really just feeling the city, the energy that it gives out" and were inspired by the "numerous different cultures and different dialects or sounds."[16]

Justin Timberlake makes three appearances on the album.

The instrumental for "FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt" was started by producer Vinylz, who was inspired by a Pimp C speech he found on YouTube. He sampled Pimp C's voice for the intro and then created the instrumental in a short amount of time. After fellow producer Boi-1da added to the production, the song was sent to Rick Ross who intended to use it for his upcoming album. Jay-Z was meant to add a guest verse to it, but when he heard the instrumental, he wanted the track for his album. Timbaland added additional changes to it before they mastered the final version.[16]

In 2012, Jay-Z contacted GOOD Music producer Hit-Boy about working together on Magna Carta Holy Grail. Hit-Boy created the instrumental for "Somewhereinamerica", a song that was initially supposed to appear on the debut album of Grand Hustle artist Travis Scott. While in the studio with Jay-Z, Scott played the instrumental for him and Jay-Z instantly liked it.[17] The instrumental for the song "Crown" was made by 16-year-old Canadian producer WondaGurl. She had collaborated with Travis Scott on his Owl Pharaoh mixtape and went on to produce another track for his upcoming album. Scott liked the instrumental and started to build upon it with Mike Dean. The two then gave it to Jay-Z who recorded "Crown" over it.[16]

Overall, Jay-Z worked extensively on the album's production with producers such as Swizz Beatz, Timbaland and Pharrell Williams who were also featured in the Samsung commercials promoting Magna Carta Holy Grail. He had also worked on the album's production with Jahlil Beats, Boi-1da, Mike Dean, Kanye West and Mike Will Made It, among others.[18][19][20][21] He had also been seen in the studio with various recording artists such as Drake, The-Dream, Raekwon, Nas, and Timberlake working on the album.[6][20] Mike Dean told Sowmya Krishnamurthy at MTV Hive that a preliminary leaked tracklist was only partially correct.[22] The final track listing revealed guest appearances by Timberlake, Frank Ocean, Nas, Pharrell, Swizz Beatz, Rick Ross and Beyoncé among others.[23]

Release and promotion

On June 16, 2013, during the fifth game of the 2013 NBA Finals, Jay-Z was featured in a new commercial by Samsung where he announced that his twelfth studio album would be titled, Magna Carta Holy Grail and would be released on July 4, 2013. He was seen speaking to producer Rick Rubin in the studio about the album saying, "[It] is about, like this duality of how do you navigate through this whole thing, through success, through failures, through all this and remain yourself." The commercial featured producers that are confirmed to be on the album including Timbaland, Swizz Beatz and Pharrell Williams. The album was made available for free download on July 4, 12:01 a.m. EST, to the first one million Samsung Galaxy S III, Samsung Galaxy S4 and Samsung Galaxy Note II users of a new app.[6] Shortly after, Billboard said that the Samsung deal would not count towards the sales figures used by Nielsen SoundScan to compile their charts.[24] The album was then released for retail sale three days later, on July 7, 2013.[25]

Leading up to the release of the album, Jay-Z released selected lyrics of each song daily, via the Samsung app. This included "Holy Grail", "Heaven", "Oceans", "Part II (On the Run)", "BBC", "Jay Z Blue", "Versus", "La Familia", "Tom Ford", "Beach Is Better", "Crown", "Picasso Baby", "F.U.T.W.", "Nickels & Dimes" and "SomewhereInAmerica" in order.[26][27][28] On July 3, 2013, the cover art of the album was revealed in a photo where it was placed next to the one of the four surviving copies of album's namesake (the 13th-century English charter) in Salisbury Cathedral, England, and it remained on display there until the end of July.[29][30] The logo for the album was inspired by an art piece by Be Andr from 2009 named 'Untitled (art)'.[31]

During the 2013 Grammy Awards, Timberlake and Jay-Z performed their hit single "Suit & Tie".[32] Following their appearance on Grammys, rumors of a stadium tour between the artists were raised as a result of Jay-Z's posts on his Life + Times website; he posted series of venues with the note "#LegendsOfSummer this week".[33] The Legends of the Summer Stadium Tour was officially announced on February 22, 2013.[32] The tour begun on July 14, 2013 in London, England.[32] Starting in October 2013, Jay-Z toured Europe on the Magna Carter World Tour. It began on October 3 at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England and concluded on October 29 at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, Netherlands.[34] The North American leg followed that, and it ended on January 31, 2014.[35]

Singles

On April 11, 2013, Jay-Z released the first song from the album titled "Open Letter". The song was a response to the critics of his fifth wedding anniversary that took place in Cuba. This was due to the current United States embargo against Cuba, which required them needing a permit to visit the country.[36] The song was produced by Swizz Beatz, and was included on the album as a bonus track. On July 10, 2013, Jack White's label, Third Man Records, announced on their website that they had entered a deal to release Magna Carta Holy Grail on vinyl, also confirming that "Open Letter" would be included as a vinyl-only bonus track and that there would be "something [else] very special planned for the vinyl edition."[37] The 'vinyl-only' appearance of "Open Letter" was thought to have been shown to not apply to all market areas, but it was later discovered upon the vinyl's re-release in early 2015 that "Open Letter" was hidden as an easter egg within the back flap of the packaging, which would require the buyer to cut open the back end of it to retrieve the single in the form of a flexi disc, constructed like a "playable card".[38][39][40] Third Man was originally set to issue "Open Letter" in the form of a vinyl single designed as a playable letter.[41] In an interview with Hot 97, Jay-Z went into detail about the single's release, saying: "It's in a letter. You can play the letter. It's amazing... You open the letter, and you can actually play the card."[41]

The song "Holy Grail" features vocals from singer Justin Timberlake and served as the album's first single.[42][43][44][45] It was produced by The-Dream, Timbaland and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, with additional production from No I.D. and containing elements of Nirvana's 1991 hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit". Following the release of the album, the song debuted at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100[46] and number 24 on the UK Singles Chart.[47] The song has since peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.[48] The music video, directed by Anthony Mandler, was released on August 29, 2013, making social media history as the first time a clip from major artists debuted strictly on Facebook.[49]

On September 26, 2013, the album's second single "Tom Ford" was serviced to urban contemporary radio in the United Kingdom and then on October 15, 2013, to rhythmic contemporary in the United States.[50] Prior to its single release, the song peaked at number 39 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[48] "Part II (On the Run)" featuring Beyoncé was serviced to contemporary hit radio stations on February 18, 2014 as the album's third single.[51] The song has since peaked at number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100.[48]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?5.4/10[52]
Metacritic60/100[53]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[54]
The A.V. ClubC−[55]
The Daily Telegraph[56]
Los Angeles Times[57]
MSN Music (Expert Witness)B+[58]
NME6/10[59]
Pitchfork5.8/10[60]
Rolling Stone[61]
Spin5/10[62]
The Times[63]

Magna Carta Holy Grail received generally mixed reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 60, based on 42 reviews.[53] In The New York Times, Jon Pareles wrote that Jay-Z was trying to transition from his pop sensibilities but had not yet found a "reliable alternative" on Magna Carta Holy Grail, where his raps were often mismatched with rigidly produced tracks.[64] AllMusic's Andy Kellman believed the record was hastily produced and despite occasionally impressive lyrics, Jay-Z's pop culture references sounded reflexive.[54] Spin magazine's Jordan Sargent said the songs sounded at once overly elaborate and unfinished, along with similar but less momentous themes in comparison to Watch the Throne.[62] Jesse Cataldo from Slant Magazine deemed it a self-important album marred by shallow name-dropping, while accusing Jay-Z of becoming disinterested creatively because of his increased success.[65] Evan Rytlewski of The A.V. Club felt the rapper had exhausted the end of his rags to riches narrative and was unable to reinvent himself beyond gloating superficially about his riches.[55] The Daily Telegraph's Helen Brown found his boastful references heavy-handed and the album unchallenging, albeit enjoyable for "the lazy listener".[56] Greg Kot wrote in the Chicago Tribune viewed that, apart from well-written moments on "Oceans", "Jay-Z Blue", and "Nickel & Dimes", most of the album was inconsequential.[66]

In a generally positive review, Randall Roberts from the Los Angeles Times was impressed by the production's energy and samples, even though he thought the album was not as intellectual or adventurous as its title suggests.[57] Uncut wrote that it mostly succeeded as an attempt by Jay-Z to "balance his great wealth, tough history and news responsibility while retaining his grit."[67] NME critic Louis Pattison said it lacked a radical presence such as Kanye West to complement Jay-Z's mature ruminations, but nonetheless showed him as a sagacious lyricist comparable with Bruce Springsteen or Bob Dylan.[59] In The Observer, Kitty Empire believed that while the diverse production would appeal to listeners at first rather than Jay-Z's predictably "umpteenth retelling" of his rags-to-riches story, the topics become more interesting on subsequent listens because of his surprisingly concerned takes on fatherhood and charity.[68] Robert Christgau from MSN Music said he was won over after several listens by the familial songs, which he found amusing on a record that pits "black man as artistic rebel versus black man as family stalwart".[58]

Accolades

Magna Carta Holy Grail was met with many accolades and was named in multiple "Albums of the Year" lists by major publications. Complex ranked the album at number 23, on their list of the 50 best albums of 2013. They praised the "high-gloss production," and strong rhymes by Jay-Z, deeming it "very listenable".[69] Rolling Stone named it the tenth best hip hop album of the 2013 saying, "The legendary MC explored of-the-moment sounds, textures and tempos in ways only he could [...] Even on a bit of an off day, Jay is still plenty impressive."[70] It was named the eighth best album of 2013 by XXL.[71] The album was also nominated for a few awards. It was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards.[72] At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in 2014, the album received a nomination for Best Rap Album.[73]

Year Ceremony Kategorie Result
2013 BET Hip Hop Awards[72] Album of the Year Nominated
2014 Billboard Music Awards[74] Top Rap Album Nominated
56th Annual Grammy Awards[73] Best Rap Album Nominated

Commercial performance

Magna Carta Holy Grail was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on the day of its release due to a deal with Jay-Z and Samsung, where they agreed to purchase one million copies of the album to offer to their users for free.[75] The album ultimately debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 528,000 copies in its first week.[76] This became Jay-Z's 13th consecutive number one album in the US.[76] It also bypassed its predicted debut in the range of 350,000 to 400,000.[76] In its second week, the album remained at number one on the chart, selling an additional 129,000 copies.[77] It also became the first rap album to spend two consecutive weeks on top since Lil Wayne's Tha Carter IV (2011), despite the 76% drop in sales.[77] In its third week, the album dropped to number two on the chart, selling 77,000 more copies.[78] In its fourth week, the album dropped to number three on the chart, selling 62,000 copies.[79] On September 5, 2013, the album was certified double platinum by the RIAA for shipments of over two million copies.[80] By the end of 2013, the album sold 1,099,000 copies in the United States, making it the tenth best-selling album of the year.[81] In 2013, Magna Carta Holy Grail was ranked as the 12th most popular album of the year on the Billboard 200.[82] As of February 2014, the album had sold 1,130,000 copies in the United States.[83]

Track listing

On June 22, Jay-Z held a viral scavenger hunt around Brooklyn, New York as part of his "#NEWRULES" venture with Samsung. The 100 winners of the hunt were given a binder that revealed the track list.[84][85]

No.TitelWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Holy Grail" (featuring Justin Timberlake)5:38
2."Picasso Baby"
  • Timbaland
  • J-Roc
4:05
3."Tom Ford"
  • Carter
  • Mosley
  • Harmon
  • Timbaland
  • J-Roc
3:09
4."Fuckwithmeyouknowigotit" (featuring Rick Ross)
4:03
5."Oceans" (featuring Frank Ocean)
  • Pharrell
  • Timbaland[b]
3:58
6."F.U.T.W."
  • Carter
  • Mosley
  • Harmon
  • Timbaland
  • J-Roc
4:02
7."Somewhereinamerica"2:28
8."Crown"
4:33
9."Heaven"
  • Timbaland
  • J-Roc
4:03
10."Versus"
0:51
11."Part II (On the Run)" (featuring Beyoncé)
  • Timbaland
  • J-Roc
5:33
12."Beach Is Better"
0:55
13."BBC"
Pharrell3:12
14."JAY Z Blue"
  • Timbaland
  • J-Roc
  • Timberlake[b]
3:50
15."La Familia"
  • Carter
  • Mosley
  • Harmon
  • Timbaland
  • J-Roc
3:33
16."Nickels and Dimes"
  • Hip Hop
  • M. Dean[b]
5:03
Vinyl edition bonus flexi-disc card track[86]
No.TitelWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
17."Open Letter"
  • Carter
  • K. Dean
  • Mosley
  • Harmon
  • Swizz Beatz
  • Timbaland[b]
  • J-Roc[b]
2:40

Notes

Samples credits

Personnel

Credits are adapted from AllMusic.[90]

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[126] Platinum 80,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[127] Gold 10,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[128] Gold 100,000*
United States (RIAA)[80] 3× Platinum 3,000,000

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Label Edition
Worldwide[6] July 4, 2013
Standard
Australien July 8, 2013 Digital download[129]
CD[39] Bonus track
Germany[130]
  • Digital download
  • CD
Standard
United Kingdom[131] Digital download Virgin EMI
Canada[132] July 9, 2013
  • Digital download
  • CD
  • Roc Nation
  • Roc-A-Fella
  • Universal
United States[133][134]
  • Digital download
  • CD
United Kingdom[135] July 22, 2013 CD
  • Roc Nation
  • Roc-A-Fella
  • Virgin EMI
Canada[136] July 23, 2013 CD
  • Roc Nation
  • Roc-A-Fella
  • Universal
United States[137][40] March 20, 2015 Vinyl Third Man Bonus track

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