Jay-Z - "American Gangster" release November 6th

Jay-Z will release a new album called "American Gangster" Tuesday November 6th. The album’s title is also the name of an up-coming movie starring Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington.

The first song from "American Gangster" entitled "Blue Magic" is expected to be released tomorrow (Sept. 20). The track is produced by the Neptunes Pharrell Williams. The song is said to have a 80s New York feel to it.

"American Gangster" is a brand new studio album and is the follow-up to Jay-Z’s previous release "Kingdome Come"

Jay-Z’s new album is certain to punctuate what had been a year of relatively slow sales for Def Jam until the huge chart debut this week of Kanye West’s CD “Graduation.” Jay-Z is said to be mulling whether to extend his three-year employment contract, return to recording and touring full time or explore other options. In the interview he deflected questions about his future. “I would love to work it out” and stay at Def Jam, he said, but he added that he was wavering and would do some “soul-searching” after finishing the album.

His decision to record “American Gangster” is a surprise, given that his last album was released less than a year ago. “Kingdom Come” sold about 1.5 million copies, his lowest figure for a full studio album since 1997. And its elaborate marketing campaign, including alliances with Budweiser and ESPN, prompted some suggestions that Jay-Z’s branching-out into other business endeavors, and taste for the jet-setting life, had begun to undermine his street credibility.

Source: NY Times