10 Most Anticipated Albums Still To Come In 2017

2. 4:44 - Jay-Z

There's quite a bit to unpack with regards to new JAY-Z album 4:44. After being teased for a few weeks, the album was officially confirmed just a few weeks ago and will be released on 30th June. Not bad if you're an impatient hip-hop fan.

Well, it might actually be a little frustrating if you can't stand the wait. The record will be initially exclusive to Tidal, the JAY-Z owned streaming service, with customers of Sprint also being granted access. There's no word on a general release yet but we do know there will be a movie to accompany the album, starring Danny Glover, Lupita Nyong'o and Mahershala Lily, all of whom appeared in the teaser clips for the album.

This all follows the model of Beyonce's Lemonade, which went down the “visual album” route and was a Tidal exclusive when it first dropped. JAY-Z fans who aren't signed up to the streaming service will be hoping that it mimics 'Yonce even further though, as that became available via iTunes the day after it first came out.

All the mystery does make it difficult to know what to expect, unless you can deconstruct the thirty seconds of the track Adnis that we've been treated to. You could take it a step further though and attend one of the many listening parties that are taking place across the U.S in selected Sprint stores, the night before 4:44 starts streaming. If that doesn't scream “anti-establishment” then I don't know what does.