S. Samuel
After recently hinting at his involvement on Jay-Z's forthcoming Blueprint III follow-up, SOHH asked singer/producer Verse Simmonds to open up about contributing to Hov's next solo album.
While keeping details to a minimum, Verse said he hopes his work on Jay’s LP and upcoming Watch the Throne joint project with Kanye West display the talents of his production team, the Jugganauts.
“I’m really antcipating [his new album] and I’m really excited about it because we’re really going to go hard and try to make sure we make a big stamp on that album as well,” Verse told SOHH when asked how excited he is to contribute to Jay’s upcoming solo LP. “I think when everybody listens to the [LP and the] Watch the Throne album and see our contributions to that too, it’s going to make a lot of people really pay a lot of attention to us. You know what I’m saying? I’m really excited about. It’s kind of been like, surreal almost because I think sometimes it’s not until after the situation you look and say, ‘Yo, we Jay and Kanye, we’re on the Rihanna album,’ you feel me? So it’s not until afterwards when you can really sit back and be like, ‘Yo, that’s crazy.'” (SOHH)
While talking to SOHH about producing Watch the Throne‘s “Who Gon Stop Me” track last month, Verse hinted at contributing to Jay’s solo effort.
“We also have another record of ours which is actually going to be on Jay’s next [solo] album coming out later on this year,” Simmonds added. “I’m super excited [about it coming out] because we’ve all been watching and seeing Jay-Z and Kanye and hearing what they’re doing and the classic music they’re doing. So to be a part of it and for me to be a part of the album that they’re getting ready to put out together for the first time, that’s like a dream come true.” (SOHH)
During a private Watch the Throne listening session last month, music publication Billboard claimed Jay said his next solo album is in the works.
“Jay-z said two songs already completed for his next solo album, and four concepts banked. Frank ocean appears on one already done. #WTT,” Billboard tweeted July 7th.
“Jay-z said wanted to make album for the music, not for sales/hits. Said he’s turned off hearing blatantly commercial/formulaic songs. #WTT”
“Jay-Z said began recording in england last year, then australia, NY, LA, Paris and NY again. Often in hotel rooms. #WTT” (Billboard’s Twitter)
In September 2010, rap veteran Q-Tip said he was working on Jay’s solo LP.
“You know, I hate to sound self-involved but I feel like I haven’t peaked yet. I have a lot to give still. I still look the part… I still got it. I’m getting ready to work on stuff for Mary J. Blige… Kanye and I are gonna continue to work together. We’re doing some stuff for Jay-Z’s new album that’s coming out in the spring, and then after Jay’s thing I’m gonna start recording my new album…Kanye should be working on that, too.” (XXL Mag)
Check out a recent Jay-Z interview below:
