JAY-Z and Beyonce are keeping up a family tradition, dropping a surprise album before anyone knew it was coming. They called themselves The Carters in the album. In 2013, Beyonce released the self-titled album “Beyonce” without any notice.
The couple released a joint album that touches on the rapper’s disgust at this year’s Grammy Awards and features a shoutout from their daughter Blue Ivy to her siblings.
The nine-track album “Everything Is Love” dropped Saturday on the Tidal music streaming service that Jay-Z (real name Shawn Corey Carter) partially owns.
The album features Beyonce rapping on songs more than she has done on previous releases.
One song that has a profanity in its title includes Jay-Z lashing out at the Grammys. He was the top nominee at February’s awards show, but left empty-handed. The rapper also said he turned down the NFL Super Bowl halftime show, rapping that the league needs him more than he needs them.
An accompanying video was also released showing the couple at the Louvre singing and posing near the exhibit’s most famous works: Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace and the Mona Lisa.
On another track, Blue Ivy ends the song “BOSS” with a shout-out to her one-year-old sister and brother, Rumi and Sir.
The New York Times calls “Everything Is Love” a capstone of a trilogy that started with Beyonce’s “Lemonade” in 2016. While Beyonce never talked about her songs in the album, it mentioned cheating and forgiveness. Less than a year later, Jay-Z released “4:44,” which told a story of a man taking responsibility over a mistake.
Whether they are telling their story or just making money, it is for the public to opine. But both “Lemonade” and “4:44” received critical acclaim, Grammy nominations and fan adoration. (AP with JGA)