Magna Carta Holy Grail (also stylized as Magna Carta… Holy Grail) stands as the twelfth studio album from renowned American rapper Jay-Z. Initially, it was exclusively available as a free digital download to Samsung customers via the Jay-Z Magna Carta app on July 4, 2013. Subsequently, it was released for retail purchase on July 8, 2013, through Roc Nation, Roc-A-Fella, and Universal Music Distribution, marking the final release under Roc-A-Fella before the label’s closure.
The album features notable collaborations with Justin Timberlake, Nas, Rick Ross, Frank Ocean, and Beyoncé.
Leading producers include Timbaland, Jerome “J-Roc” Harmon, Boi-1da, Mike Will Made It, Hit-Boy, Mike Dean, No I.D., The-Dream, Swizz Beatz, and Pharrell Williams, among others. The album received promotions through Samsung commercials but did not have any retail singles preceding its release.
Magna Carta Holy Grail spawned three highly successful singles, namely “Holy Grail,” “Tom Ford,” and “Part II (On the Run)” featuring Beyoncé. Additional songs from the album, such as “FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt,” “Oceans,” “Heaven,” and “Picasso Baby,” achieved notable chart success. Jay-Z supported the album with three concert tours: Legends of the Summer (co-headlined with Justin Timberlake), Magna Carter World Tour, and On the Run Tour (co-headlined with his wife Beyoncé).
Upon release, the album garnered mixed reviews from music critics. While some praised its production and composition, others expressed disappointment with its overall theme and perceived repetition. Despite this, it debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling 528,000 copies in its first week, becoming Jay-Z’s 13th consecutive studio album to top the chart.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the album as double platinum, denoting shipments of two million copies. Additionally, Magna Carta Holy Grail received six nominations at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, securing the award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “Holy Grail” featuring Justin Timberlake.
Preceding the album’s announcement, rapper Q-Tip confirmed his involvement in Jay-Z’s twelfth studio album, initially expected for release in 2011. Collaboration with Roc Nation producer Jahlil Beats was also reported in May 2012. The album’s development was kept under wraps, though hints about a new Jay-Z album surfaced in April 2013 during an interview with The Dream.
Before the album’s release, Jay-Z served as an executive producer for the film “The Great Gatsby” and its accompanying soundtrack, “The Great Gatsby: Music from Baz Luhrmann’s Film,” in collaboration with film director Baz Luhrmann. Moreover, the opening song, “100$ Bill” by Jay-Z, featured a unique blend of chopped and screwed beats and electro-rap elements. It was co-written and produced by E*vax, one-half of the electronic rock duo Ratatat.
