Who got the juice? Samsung apparently.
As we reported earlier Jay-Z will be releasing his 12th solo album, Magna Carta Holy Grail, on July 4. With a dream team of producers--Timbaland, Pharrell, Rick Rubin and Swizz Beatz--the album will be "released first to Samsung Galaxy users who download a customized mobile app. Only the first million downloaders gain access to the album for free on July 4. The album will then be released to the general public three days later."
And according to the Wall Street Journal, Samsung "paid $5 apiece for the albums" and it remains unclear whether Nielsen SoundScan will include Samsung’s purchases in its album sales.
For the mathematically inclined: That's $5 million upfront for Jay-Z ... FOR AN ALBUM THAT HASN'T EVEN SOLD YET.
Regardless, this is a smart move on Samsung's part. As the company continues to compete with Apple, its partnership with Jay-Z on the release of Magna Carta adds a certain cool to the company's brand. Real recognize real.
RELATED: Jay-Z Announces New Album "Magna Carta Holy Grail"
[via WSJ]
