httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR4svt_632I
To accompany the release of his new album 4:44, Jay-Z released an animated video for standout track “The Story of O.J.”.
Jaybo – the protagonist modeled off Sambo – raps “Light nigga, dark nigga, faux nigga, real nigga / Rich nigga, poor nigga, house nigga, field nigga Still nigga, still nigga” as trenchant images of cotton fields, burning crosses, slave ships and lynchings appear on-screen.
Speaking on the song to iHeartRadio, Jay-Z said, “‘The Story of OJ’ is really a song about we as a culture, having a plan, how we’re gonna push this forward.
The rapper released his new album – his first since 2013’s Magna Carta Holy Grail – as a Tidal exclusive on June 30th. It’s unclear how long the album will remain exclusive to the streaming service, or if a physical release is planned.
The new album comes weeks after mysterious “4:44” subway posters and banner ads started cropping up without explanation.
Beyoncé, The-Dream and Blue Ivy Carter all appear on the album.