'Watch The Throne': Jay-Z, Kanye West Drop Album, 'Lift Off' Is First Single

It took five release dates and a globe's worth of writing and recording sessions, but Jay-Z and Kanye West have finally, officially ascended to The Throne.

The twin kings of hip hop dropped their wildly anticipated duet album, "Watch The Throne," Monday at midnight, giving iTunes the exclusive release and the world a full taste of their powers combined. Put together over arduous months in far-flung locales such as London, Sydney, Abu Dhabi and New York, the album pushed the limits of the friendship and collaborative spirit between the two icons, who worked together previously when West was a producer.

First scheduled to drop in January, that date saw only a single, "H.A.M.," released; then, dates in March and June were missed before another single dropped in July. The whole thing features collaborations with producers and artists such as Frank Ocean, Otis Redding, Mr. Hudson, Swizz Beats, The RZA, Q-Tip, Curtis Mayfield and Jay's wife Beyonce, who pitches in for the first single, "Lift Off." It also gives a platform to young producers, such as Lex Luger and Southside.

Here are 30 second snippets from the album; the full track list is below:

1. No Church In the Wild (feat. Frank Ocean)
2. Lift Off (feat. Beyonce)
3. N*ggas In Paris
4. Otis (feat. Otis Redding)
5. Gotta Have it
6. New Day
7. That's My Bitch
8. Welcome to the Jungle
9. Who's Gon Stop Me
10. Murder to Excellence
11. Made In America (feat. Frank Ocean)
12. Why I Love You (feat. Mr. Hudson)

DELUXE BONUS TRACKS

1. Illest Motherf*cker Alive
2. H.A.M
3. Primetime
4. The Joy (feat. Curtis Mayfield)

Comments

[Jeffrey Janvier]

09:51 AM on 08/10/2011

Download Full Album "Watch The Throne": HipHopSurge.Com

[Jeffrey Janvier]

05:16 PM on 08/11/2011

Download Full Album ""WATCH THE THRONE" : HIPHOPSURGE.COM

[DesmondPro]

06:57 PM on 08/09/2011

My expectations for this album were much too high. I was expecting "Hip Hops Thriller", but received just another album that is marked by amazing production and mediocre rhymes. I thought that friendly competition between the two would make them both bring their "A game", but it's like they slacked, knowing that the production and their names on the cover would save them. I miss the days when collaborations actually resulted in better music (ex. Biggie and Method Man).

While I'm personally disappointed, it could have turned out much worse. The production was great, I was reminded (multiple times) how rich Jay and Ye are and I learned to never again pre-order an album.

[ontariogirl]

09:12 AM on 08/09/2011

Only 77 comments and its been here for days. I guess that accounts for epic.

[Solomon Moon]

10:51 PM on 08/08/2011

Album should be called Old (jay) meets gay (kanye)........honestly tho this was a terrible album. Jay is past his prime and should just stop. Kanye should stick to beat making.

[Mike Villela]

07:46 PM on 08/08/2011

At different points in each of their careers, I was a fan of both of these guys. But, this album is such a disappointment.

Each of them have literally made MILLIONS off of the fans who supported them throughout the years and the only reason this album sucks is because they don't give a damn anymore. We are already fans.

Hate 'em or love 'em, they are both extremely talented and could have made an epic album.

If they put their heads together 10 years ago, when they truly wanted to us feel their music, we might be comparing every duo to Jay & Kanye. This was just an opportunity to throw their names on some songs and buy a new G6. You owe us more...

[Jeffrey Janvier]

05:41 PM on 08/08/2011

Download Full Album (Watch The Throne): HipHopSurge.Com

[CitizenIndie]

04:44 PM on 08/08/2011

"Most Epic Rap Duo Ever?"

No. That would be Eric B and Rakim.

[Tim Moore]

04:52 PM on 08/08/2011

Seconded. Back when rap was more than just 'look at how rich I am'.

[getsemaneh]

06:13 PM on 08/08/2011

@Citizenindie...my friend...you are fanned and faved 1000000000000000000x times by yours truly.....thank you....

[Mr Sick Of Greed]

03:52 PM on 08/08/2011

this shi-t is garbage...jay-z was good 8 years ago,
and kanye west is quite possibly more overrated than lil wayne.....
this is pure commercial garbage......plain and simple.....a quick cash in on two bloated names

[MARY UNRESTRICTED]

02:42 PM on 08/08/2011

Great album, bought it this morning. Are they an epic duo - I wouldn't go that far. But if you want to talk Dead Prez and Black Star, then lets have a conversation.

[american-dolt]

02:28 PM on 08/08/2011

Do you mean today?

[blizzard man robot voice]

02:25 PM on 08/08/2011

Imma let you finish but Kid N Play were the best rap duo ever!!

[TheKingElroy]

02:05 PM on 08/08/2011

Jay Z is starting to think he is the second coming of Jesus with a beat and a microphone. Now he is throwing masonic imagines in his music videos.... who does this guy think he is? he's just some dim wit from the bricks.

And Kayne - please do us all a favor and come out of the closet. Just makes things a lot easier. And if you are not big enough to come out of the closet - please come out of the cupboard.

:D

[ms.understood]

06:25 PM on 08/08/2011

F&F! i was thinking the same thing about kanye. and jz has always called himself 'hova' as if he's christlike. both are sickening.

[Tim Moore]

01:23 PM on 08/08/2011

"Lift Off" the lid to the Throne before you let it "drop".

[BlindChance]

12:43 PM on 08/08/2011

This is a rare opportunity to directly juxtapose a negative article with a positive article involving the same subject. Guess which one has ten times more comments than the other?

[we-r-stardust]

12:48 PM on 08/08/2011

SPAM