Samsung to Give Away 1 Million Copies of Jay-Z’s New Album

By Hannah Karp

Getty Images

Jay-Z on February 17, 2013 in Houston, Texas.

As the Miami Heat faced off against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA finals Sunday night, a curious TV ad aired near the end of the second quarter featuring rap star Jay-Z in a studio, riffing with a cast of characters including producer Rick Rubin and artist Pharrell Williams. At one point, a member of the posse is shown taking notes on a tablet device. More than two minutes into the three-minute video Samsung Electronics Co. 005930.SE +0.51%’s tagline flashes across the screen: “The Next Big Thing.”

The connection: Samsung has purchased 1 million copies of Jay-Z’s coming album, entitled “Magna Carta Holy Grail,” slated for release July 4, and plans to give them to Samsung Galaxy smartphone users for free – 72 hours ahead of the release. The users are to receive the music through an app they’ll receive later this month. (Recipients won’t be able to share it until the official release date.)

Samsung paid $5 apiece for the albums, according to a person familiar with the matter. It wasn’t immediately clear if Nielsen SoundScan will count Samsung’s purchases in its sales tallies.

The partnership could help Samsung compete with Apple Inc. AAPL -1.36%, which recently announced the launch of iTunes Radio – an online radio service bundled onto Apple devices that promises to offer listeners access to certain tracks before they’re available elsewhere.

For Jay-Z, the deal is a precious advertising opportunity and gives him $5 million in sales before the album is even released. The agreement signals the increasing importance of corporate sponsors to the music industry, which has seen sales tank over the past decade.

Jay-Z hinted at the partnership on Twitter two days ago with a photo of a Samsung smartphone displaying text telling fans to “tune in” to the game.

Neither Samsung nor Jay-Z could immediately be reached for comment.

Pharrell's Secretly Engaged?

Superproducer Pharrell Williams was spotted at the premiere forThe Dark Knight Rises with his girlfriend Helen Lasichanh, and there are rumors buzzing that the Neptunes frontman and his lady may be more than dating. Williams hasn't confirmed anything himself, but the word on the street is the two have long been engaged.

It is being reported in some circles that he and Lasichanh have been engaged for a year, actually.

Lasichanh was sporting a sizeable (engagement?) ring at the premiere. The two have a son named Rocket.

Pharrell Discusses "Pink Slime"

Superproducer Pharrell Williams and hip hop upstart Mac Miller have been prepping a collaborative project called "Pink Slime," which is slated to be released later in June. The Grammy Award-winning producer spoke to MissInfo TV about the release and the approach that the two artists took to working together.

“It’s crazy and I know Mac is going to do great things,” Pharrell told Miss Info. “I’m happy for him. I was just looking at his movement and what he’s doing online. I feel like I haven’t linked with enough independent kids that are doing it for themselves.”

“I watched what he did on his own and thought that as interesting," he continued. "I just felt like I had to do something with him. 'Pink Slime' is his project, and I’m producing it but none of the records go on unless we’re both feeling it. Mac’s like a concert, festival centric kid. And we got them records, man, it’s that hype sh*t. I missed music so much. I was away for so long on the road. But I’m back in the studio now and wait until you see the artwork. Me and Mac did, like, 10 records.”

Mac Miller Teams With Pharrell

Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller has a new project in the works alongside superproducer Pharrell Williams. Having only recently released his mixtape "Macadellic," Miller shared via Twitter that he and Pharrell are working on a new EP called "Pink Slime."

While not sharing too many details about the release, Miller attempted to get "Pink Slime" trending on Twitter.

"Pink Slime = Mac Miller x Pharrell," Miller tweeted. "Can yall please get #pinkslime trending so me and pharrell can drop this song?"

Teyana Taylor Talks G.O.O.D. Music

Teyana Taylor announced last week that she'd join Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music imprint. With the deal finalized, the rapper/singer says now she is focused on kick-starting her career. Hopefully, she will make the most of the opportunity--after several false starts in the past.

"I had been actually working with the whole G.O.O.D. Music family for quite a while," she explained. "Around the time we did the 'Dark Fantasy' song, I was still in my contract with Star Trak/Interscope Records, and I asked for release because I wanted to find myself as an artist. I had options to go to different labels, but I felt like G.O.O.D. Music was where I wanted to be, where I fit in."

"This is the second go 'round for me, and hopefully, the second time's the charm," the 21-year-old continued. "I signed to Star Trak with Pharrell when I was 15, and now I'm at a new chapter in my life where I'm signed to G.O.O.D. Music, and I'm blessed and happy to be part of the team."

"Being signed to G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam has opened more doors now that I finally have a team behind me that can push me to work harder," she said.

Pharrell Williams Presents i am OTHER Video Features KRT Curran J. Swint

“I am different, I am weird, I don’t fit into your world”- Pharrell Williams 

The wait is finally over! Back in December I took a trip to Los Angeles, California with my good friend Shaheed to be apart of a video for musician, producer and entrepreneur Pharrell Williams‘ new media group called i am OTHER, which has finally launched. i am OTHER is a cultural movement geared towards thinkers, innovators and outcasts bringing these likeminded individuals together to create and share on one platform.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Pharrell and his artists Leah LaBelle & Maxine Ashley and they all received some K.R.T. apparel. Pretty dope right? Well regardless if they wear it or not the experience was worth it within itself. Check out the video below as you will see the Young King at the 15 second mark. - K.R.T.

Teyana Taylor Joins G.O.O.D. Music

Teyana Taylor has officially joined Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music roster. The singer/rapper inked a deal with the imprint, joining acts like Big Sean, Q-Tip and Pusha T on the eclectic hip hop imprint.

The 21-year old had previously been signed to Pharrell Williams' Star Trek imprint.

There are no official details on her upcoming debut album as of yet. Taylor's most recent release was the "Misunderstanding of Teyana Taylor" mixtape.

Pharrell Discusses the State of Music

Pharrell Williams explained in a recent interview with Miss Info exactly why he's slowed down from his earlier days with the Neptunes. The hitmaking producer hasn't been quite as high-profile lately, and he says its because he felt music had become stagnant.

"Things just click and you just know what you’re supposed to do. And for me, I was honestly bored by music," he said. "If you turn on the pop station and everything, it was like one long ass dance song. And when you turned to the urban stations, everything felt like one long ass emo Hip Hop, quasi R&B record. It just kind of felt that way. I wasn’t mad at it, but there were also incredible things like Little Dragon and Yuna."

"I’m not knocking the music of the last four or five years. I’m just saying things needed to progress a little bit before I felt like I missed myself. There was a time where I was like, okay, can’t get away. But I’m very thankful that music is where it is right now, because it’s inspiring. There is a battery."

Pharrell Breaks Down "Glory"

Superproducer Pharrell Williams decided to share some facts about "Glory," Jay-Z's tribute song to his baby daughter Blue Ivy. Pharrell, who produced the track, says that the idea was premeditated and intended to also be a nod to Stevie Wonder's 1976 classic "Isn't She Lovely"--which was also a tribute to his newborn daughter.

"It was something we had planned before it happened, so we were basically waiting," he said. "That was like our nod and homage to when Stevie [Wonder] did it for his baby, Asia [on 'Isn't She Lovely']. And we weren't trying to make the same song at all, it was like we wanted to capture a moment in time to commemorate the birth of his baby. I did the same thing with [my baby] Rocket, I'm just more quiet and private about my life."

"But he and his beautiful wife, they live a different lifestyle and for him it was important for him to stop everything that he had going on and just sort of make statement to his baby and his wife," he said. "I was honored to be a filmmaker for that beat."

Pharrell On "Project Runway All-Stars"

Pharrell Williams is set to be a guest judge on "Project Runway All-Stars." The superproducer has been announced as a celebrity participant in an upcoming episode of the show. No stranger to the fashion world, Pharrell has co-founded the fashion brands Billionaire Boys' Club clothing and Ice Cream footwear lines.

Williams will reportedly be judging a portion of the show devoted to the contestant's use of lighting technology.

The episode is scheduled to air this March 1.

Pharrell Possibly Working With Jay-Z

Superproducer Pharrell Williams could be working with hip hop superstar Jay-Z. Williams hinted at a possible collaboration in a recent interview with MTV, without giving away too many details.

"We're working on something, it's crazy," he said. "We — I say 'we' because I'm in Throne mode — we're in a great place creatively. You might see a Jay, then Kanye and a Throne album next year. You know, we're really in a great place creatively. We really found our zone."

Jay and Pharrell have collaborated frequently in the past, most notably on the hits "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)" and "Change Clothes."

Pharrell Possibly Working With Jay-Z

Superproducer Pharrell Williams could be working with hip hop superstar Jay-Z. Williams hinted at a possible collaboration in a recent interview with MTV, without giving away too many details.

"We're working on something, it's crazy," he said. "We — I say 'we' because I'm in Throne mode — we're in a great place creatively. You might see a Jay, then Kanye and a Throne album next year. You know, we're really in a great place creatively. We really found our zone."

Jay and Pharrell have collaborated frequently in the past, most notably on the hits "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)" and "Change Clothes."

Pharrell Crowns Rick Ross

Pharrell explained in a recent interview why he felt Miami superstar Rick Ross was the most appropriate rapper to be titled 'The Hottest MC In the Game.' MTV is prepping its annual "Hottest MC" show for later this month, and Skateboard P put his vote in for Ricky Rozay.

"Rick Ross is on his way, he's working his way. He's been doing it for a minute, and he's been really consistent," Pharrell told MTV.

"He and I have something special too. We have a special record too, but we're still working," the multiplatinum producer said. "I'm happy to be a part of it."

Pharrell On Working With Jay-Z

Superproducer Pharrell Williams discussed his recent busy schedule working with the Oscars and producing Jay-Z's ode to his newborn daughter. Pharrell shared some of the ins-and-outs of working with Oscars musical producer/composer Hans Zimmer.

"We have to reinterpret some of the music for the nominees," Pharrell explained. "We have to do other music as well that is at times new and original and at others borrowing from movie scenes."

"It's an honor for me because I get to be mentored, creative, and credited for learning under the auspices of somebody like him," he continued. "I'm always honored when he takes my direction and to have direction come from him. It's really been this interesting collaborative thing. But for me, secretly, it's still like school and I love it."

On working on Jay-Z's song "Glory," Pharrell said, "[T]hat was another covert operation. Everything was by design. That's all I'll say."

Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell, Mac Miller, & Busta Hit Studio

Superproducer Pharrell Williams, upstarts Mac Miller and Kendrick Lamar, and legendary rhymer Busta Rhymes are working together. Though it isn't yet known what they were recording, a star-studded quartet have been in the studio--and are keeping mum about exactly what they have coming up.

The foursome posted pictures on BBCleeCream of all of them in the studio, alongside singer Leah Labelle.

Labelle is recording her debut album with Williams and superproducer Jermaine Dupri. But the photo was enough to get the Web's attention, with fans wondering what music could possibly come from such an interesting group.

Lupe Fiasco Goes Gold

Lupe Fiasco has earned gold status for his 2011 album Lasers. The project, which had been delayed for years, was released on March 8th, 2011 after much wrangling between Lupe and his label. It finally crosses the 500,000 sales mark 10 months after its release.

The album sold 204,000 copies in its first week and debuted atop the Billboard 200. The album had the best-selling first-week sales of his career and second top 10 album on the chart.

Lupe revealed last week that he's working on an upcoming project with superproducer Pharrell Williams.

Glory - Jay-Z feat. Blue Ivy Carter Production By Pharrell

Glory - Jay-Z feat. Blue Ivy Carter

New Mixtape: Rick Ross Rich Forever

Here’s the album before the album with features from Drake, Nas, 2 Chainz and more. Tracklist and download below. While you’re downloading, peep the inside look of the project here.

Download here l Alternate Download

New Video: T.I. x Pharrell “Here Ye, Hear Ye”

Get More: T.I., Here Ye, Hear Ye, Here Ye, Hear Ye, Free Music Videos

Pharrell On Academy Awards Gig

Pharrell Williams was named musical consultant for the 2012 Academy Awards last week. The superproducer will be working alongside famed orchestrator Hans Zimmer, and Williams has issued a statement voicing his excitement over the gig.

"As always, I'm thankful," Pharrell says. "It's something I watched since I was a kid and I never [dreamed] as a child that I'd be working on the show," he said. "It's especially an honor to work with my mentor, Hans Zimmer."

The 84th Academy Awards will take place at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles on February 26th, 2012.