Music News

Kanye West and Jay-Z form The Throne and hit the road

By Patrick Luce Jul 25, 2011, 15:28 GMT

Rap icon Jay-Z has teamed with music superstar Kanye West to form new group ‘The Throne’ and announced plans for a new album and tour.

On Monday, August 8th ‘THE THRONE’S’ extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime Roc-A-Fella / Def Jam Recordings / Roc Nation album collaboration, ‘Watch the Throne,’ will be released worldwide exclusively on iTunes. 

On the same day, tickets will be made available to the public for the once-in-a-lifetime pairing of two of music’s greatest performers on one stage, with the “Watch The Throne Tour” (powered by VoyR) at Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com.

Fans who purchase their tickets online will receive a digital copy of the album. The Live Nation produced tour will begin on September 22nd in Detroit with 24 dates confirmed thus far.

The duo has released the album’s lead track, “Otis,” and has made it available instantly when fans pre-order the DELUXE album exclusively at iTunes at http://idj.to/watchthethronedlxit.  The album will be available at additional physical and digital retailers on August 12th.

Beginning Thursday, July 28th, fans that visit www.LiveNation.com/WatchTheThrone, will have access to presale tickets, which includes a digital copy of the album.   Citi® card members will have access to presale tickets beginning Friday, July 29th at 10AM local time through Citi's Private Pass® Program. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com.

The longtime friends and music innovators recorded the album at various locations around the world. Over a year in the making and a truly global affair, the duo recorded in London and Bath in the UK, Abu Dhabi, Sydney, Paris, and New York City.  It features production from The RZA, The Neptunes and Kanye’s longtime collaborator Mike Dean.

The short list of featured vocals includes Frank Ocean, Beyoncé, Curtis Mayfield and Mr. Hudson.  The lead track, “OTIS,” which premiered over New York radio waves on Wednesday, July 20th night during HOT 97’s FunkMaster Flex show, brilliantly weaves Otis Redding’s “Try A Little Tenderness.”

Both JAY-Z and Kanye West have each appeared as guests on the other's stage, and now they come together for never-before-seen performances not only from their collaboration, WATCH THE THRONE but also songs from their classic catalogue.  Fans should stay tuned: several key dates will offer unique opportunities to become a part of the WATCH THE THRONE movement.

WATCH THE THRONE TOUR (Powered By VoyR) dates include:

9/22/11            Detroit, MI                Palace of Auburn Hills
9/24/11            Toronto, ON              Air Canada Centre
9/25/11            Montreal, QC             Bell Centre
9/27/11            East Rutherford, NJ    Izod Center
9/28/11            East Rutherford, NJ    Izod Center
9/29/11            Washington DC          Verizon Center
10/4/11             Philadelphia, PA        Wells Fargo Center
10/6/11            Chicago, IL               United Center
10/7/11            Chicago, IL               United Center
10/8/11            Minneapolis, MN        Target Center
10/10/11          Denver, CO                Pepsi Center
10/13/11          Tacoma, WA             Tacoma Dome
10/14/11          Vancouver, BC           Rogers Arena
10/16/11          San Jose, CA             HP Pavilion
10/17/11          Sacramento, CA        Power Balance Pavilion
10/19/11          Los Angeles, CA        Staples Center
10/20/11           Los Angeles, CA       Staples Center
10/21/11          Las Vegas, NV           MGM Grand Garden Arena
10/25/11          Dallas, TX                 American Airlines Center
10/26/11          Houston, TX              Toyota Center
10/29/11          Atlanta, GA               Philips Arena
10/30/11          Greensboro, NC          Greensboro Coliseum
11/1/11            Baltimore, MD             1st Mariner Arena
11/3/11            Boston, MA               TD Garden