Jay-Z's highly anticipated The Blueprint 3 album has reportedly been moved from its original September 11th release date to the same day as Def Jam's The Blueprint Collector's Edition.
According to reports, the album will now drop three days earlier than expected.
Jay-Z's The Blueprint 3 becomes the latest superstar album release to shuffle its release date, according to date changes on Amazon.com, Rhapsody.com and WEA's distribution Web site. The Roc Nation set, originally scheduled for release on Sept. 11, has been pushed forward to Sept. 8. The title was intended to drop on Sept. 11, on the eighth anniversary of the first Blueprint's release. Representatives for Jay-Z and Roc Nation could not be reached for comment at deadline. (Billboard)
Def Jam will be re-releasing Hov's Blueprint and Blueprint 2 on the same day.
Now that Jay-Z has left Def Jam, Hov's former label is looking to cash in on Jay one last time. Def Jam will release The Blueprint Collector's Edition consisting of Jigga's first two classic albums, The Blueprint and The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse. Much like Mariah's collector's set, Jay-Z's edition will be packaged in a collectible slipcase with a poster. There will be space to insert a third CD. The Blueprint Collector's Edition releases September 8, three days before The Blueprint 3 arrives on Friday, September 11 through Atlantic Records. (Rap-Up)
Prior to the album leaking last week and Hov streaming it online for free via Rhapsody and MTV, the rapper spoke with DJ Drama earlier this summer about Blueprint 3's release.
"Yeah, pretty much [it's done]," Jay revealed last July. "You know I still tweak it. I made 'PSA' [and it] was the last record I made on The Black Album and 'Give It To Me' was the last record I made on Dynasty. So, I'm always open to recording new records. It's pretty much done, it could go out the door right now. September 11th, the first date, it's the anniversary of the original one, of course it's a tragedy as well so we're going to be doing a lot of great things with charities and everything." (Hot 107.9)
Although it will not be available at retail stores until Tuesday, Hov has provided fans with a free stream-only version of Blueprint 3.
Rhapsody and MTV are the exclusive places to hear the new Jay-Z album, The Blueprint 3, starting September 1, nearly two weeks prior to official release date -- Rhapsody will be the exclusive retailer for The Blueprint 3 from September 8-10, prior to official September 11 release date -- Two exclusive bonus tracks will be available from Rhapsody on September 8 -- Rhapsody collaborates with Jay-Z on TV advertisements promoting the new album -- Rhapsody to premiere a 60-second customized Jay-Z advertisement in 2009 MTV VMAs. (Hip Hop Press)
I honestly think it was pushed up cuz everyone is going ham bootlegging this masterpiece of an album
__________________
