Jay-Z Readies Second Post-Retirement Release

Much like the death of a comic book character, the retirement of a rapper is rarely permanent. It wasn’t long after Jay-Z called it quits that a new song popped up on a Budweiser commercial, leading to his first “comeback” album, Kingdom Come, which was pretty much a dud. Now, the New York Times is reporting the 37-year-old rapper/mogul is readying his second post-retirement release. The forthcoming album, American Gangster, is inspired by the yet-to-be released Denzel Washington film of the same name. Though Jay-Z had nothing to do with the film, nor do these songs appear in American Gangster, the album will be released in conjunction with the movie in early November.

In an hourlong telephone interview, Jay-Z, 37, who has spoken of spending his early years in Brooklyn both rapping and drug dealing, said that the movie had tremendous resonance for him and had sparked a burst of creative activity that even he found surprising. He has already recorded nine tracks, almost every one prompted by a specific scene.

“It was like I was watching the film, and putting it on pause, and giving a back story to the story,” he said.