Jay-Z’s ‘Magna Carta’ Hitmaker Speaks: “He Was Like, ‘Man, Let’s Do Something So Effortless'”

Written By S. Samuel

Rap mogul Jay-Z's Magna Carta Holy Grail contributing producer Mike Will Made It recently discussed his in-studio sessions with the Roc Nation CEO and how their "Beach Is Better" track came together.

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According to Mike, Hov emphasized putting together a quick record with the least amount of effort.

“[Jay] was like, ‘Man, let’s do something so effortless,’ and that just stuck with me when he said ‘effortless,’ ” Mike Will told MTV News in Los Angeles. “When I went up there, I just cooked up a beat real fast and he just went in on it. Jay-Z is a legend, man, so you already know how that feeling is going in the studio with a legend — it’s dope. Just like when I went into the studio with Future, he was a legend. It’s like the same, but this is somebody who already paved his way and got his stripes and sold countless records and did countless hits. I mean sh–, it was an honor to be in the studio with him.” (MTV)

A few days ago, Def Jam co-founder Rick Rubin analyzed Jay’s new LP’s sound.

When we recently caught up with Rick over the phone, he explained: “The point of me being in the commercials was that he was filming a documentary and he asked me–I imagine he’s just comfortable talking to me–to come listen to the songs with him and just talk about the songs. Just listen to it and talk about it, and that’s what we did. It was fun.” He went on to divulge what he initially thought of Magna Carta, saying, “I liked what I heard, but it was a little difficult–after just coming from the Kanye sessions–to listen to Jay’s album, because they’re so different. I was in a very alternative and progressive headspace, and Jay’s record is a more traditional hip-hop record.” (XXL Mag)

Earlier this week, the project’s cover surfaced across the Internet.

Jay Z’s highly anticipated 12th studio album, Magna Carta Holy Grail, is days away from dropping and the cover art has been released. It’s a simple design. His labelmate and friend Kanye West recently released an album with simple cover art as well. Thought West’s cover looks like an intricate design when compared to Jay Z’s album cover. (Fansided)

A finalized tracklisting for the new album has also turned up.

01. Picasso Baby 02. Heaven 03. Versus 04. Tom Ford 05. Beach Is Better 06. FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt f. Rick Ross 07. Oceans f. Frank Ocean 08. F.U.T.W. 09. Part II (On The Run) f. Beyoncé 10. BBC f. Nas, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell, Swizz Beatz & Timbaland 11. La Familia 12. Jay-Z Blue 13. Nickles & Dimes 14. Holy Grail f. Justin Timberlake) [Bonus Track] 15. Open Letter [Bonus Track] (Magna Carta Holy Grail)

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Written by S. Samuel

Steven Samuel is the co-founder of SOHH.com.

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UPDATE: Jay-Z Ups The Ante, Unveils Official “Magna Carta” Cover

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