Surprise, surprise. It looks like JAY-Z will score his 14th No.1 album on the Billboard 200 charts for his brilliant 4:44 release. The album has already been certified platinum by the RIAA.

Undoubtedly, 4:44 has been the talk of hip-hop since dropping, and it's been the biggest release in terms of the overall social media responses since Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. Just think about it, Jay's new album has opened up an entirely new discussion in hip-hop about relationships, family and finances and it's truly unprecedented.

People have been breaking down his rhymes left and right, and a few of those verses have some of the younger rappers extremely tight. Remember how Boosie Badazz and Future responded to that holding-money-to-your-ear line in the song "Kill Jay Z?"

Anyway, based on predictions from industry insiders, the album is slated to sell over 200,000 in the week ending July 13. If 4:44 does go No.1 — which would be shocking if it doesn't — it'll cement Hall of Fame Hov's place as the artist with the most chart-topping albums behind The Beatles who have 19. After Jay, stands Bruce Springsteen and Barbra Streisand who each have 11.

Meanwhile, 4:44 has already went No. 1 in 39 countries through iTunes, and the rapper just announced a new tour, so it's clear he's in show mode.

In addition, if you haven't seen it already, be sure to check out Jay's 4:44 Footnotes, where people like Kendrick Lamar, Meek Mill, Will Smith and hoop star Chris Paul talk about the challenges of being in a relationship. It's a definite must see for both single folk and couples alike.

So what's next for the Brooklyn wordsmith after dropping this musical opus? Who knows but hip-hop owes him a collective thanks for 4:44, not only for the incredible rhymes but for what he's brought to the table of discussion.

Congrats to Jay on potentially having the No.1 album too.

 

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