The Throne & Their Tour

Jay-Z and Kanye West have officially announced not only the release date for their highly anticipated LP, but they have also stated that they will now be known as "The Throne," when referencing their collaborations.

My guess is that this prevents the discussion about "Should it be 'Kanye West & Jay-Z' or 'Jay-Z & Kanye West'?" The latter leaving Kanye feeling like he's getting "little brothered", while the former makes Jay seem like a washed-up has been.

This is  a similar move to Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and Lupe Fiasco being known as  "Child Rebel Soldier." Or Eminem and Royce da 5'9" as "Bad Meets Evil." Or everyone who is a member of "All City Chess Club."

Regardless of how unoriginal the idea or uncreative the name may be, The Throne is going on tour and I will certainly do everything in my power to go see them. The tickets go on presale on July 28 and regular public sale on August 8. Unfortunately, there have not been many specifications as to what qualifies you for presale, other than a special date for Citi cardholders.

Anyhow, see the dates below and be sure to get yours as soon as possible...

Tour Dates
Oct. 28 – Atlanta, GA – Philips Arena
Oct. 29 – Atlanta, GA – Philips Arena
Oct. 30 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum
Nov. 1 – Baltimore, MD – 1st Mariner Arena
Nov. 2 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
Nov. 3 – Washington, DC – Verizon Center
Nov. 5 – East Rutherford, NJ – IZOD Center
Nov. 6 – East Rutherford, NJ – IZOD Center
Nov. 7 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Nov. 8 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Nov. 14 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – BankAtlantic Center
Nov. 15 – Miami, FL – AmericanAirlines Arena
Nov. 18 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
Nov. 19 – Atlantic City, NJ – Boardwalk Hall
Nov. 21 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Nov. 22 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
Nov. 23 – Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
Nov. 24 – Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
Nov. 26 – Detroit, MI – Palace of Auburn Hills
Nov. 27 – Pittsburgh, PA – Consol Energy Center
Nov. 29 – Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center
Nov. 30 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Dec. 1 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Dec. 3 – New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Arena
Dec. 5 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
Dec. 6 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
Dec. 9 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
Dec. 10 – San Jose, CA – HP Pavilion
Dec. 12 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
Dec. 13 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
Dec. 16 – Tacoma, WA – Tacoma Dome
Dec. 17 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
Dec. 18 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena

Jay-Z, Kanye West -- "Otis"

So, there has been some more progress on the Watch The Throne front. Not only did an official release date become available, but Jay-Z's Life + Times website posted the Otis Redding sampled track "Otis."

Both Jay and Kanye brag about their abilities in the game and the priviledged life that accompanies it. Jay saying that he created swag and he's too fly for jail. Kanye comes in after his big brother to remind the world that it's impossible for him to be sent to hell for his sins since he created "Jesus Walks." The sample gets a little screechy, but overall it's a solid track.

Check It Out -- "Otis"
Otis feat. Otis Redding

"Damn Yeezy and Hov! Where the hell you been?! ... They say I'm crazy; well I'm 'bout to go dumb again."

I'm more than ready for the album to drop. The digital version comes out on August 1st, 2011 and the physical disc will be available in stores on August 5th, 2011.
Have you pre-ordered your copy yet?

Jay-Z, Kanye West -- Watch The Throne

Cover Art, Tracklisting, and Pre-Order Link.


Official Tracklisting
Regular Album
1. No Church in The Wild (Feat. Frank Ocean)
2. Lift Off (Feat. Beyoncé)
3. Niggas in Paris
4. Otis (Feat. Otis Redding)
5. Gotta Have It
6. New Day
7. Prime Time
8. Who Gon Stop Me
9. Murder to Excellence
10. Welcome to The Jungle
11. Sweet Baby Jesus (Feat. Frank Ocean)
12. Why I Love You (Feat. Mr Hudson)

Deluxe Version Bonus Tracks
13. Illest Motherfucker Alive
14. H*A*M
15. That’s My Bitch
16. The Joy (Feat. Curtis Mayfield)

It Ain't Safe In The City. Watch The Throne!!!

Still Waiting... Soon to be Watching.

End of Summer 2010 - Jay-Z and Kanye do a series of collaborations for Mr. West's G.O.O.D. Friday music series.
Mid Fall 2010 - We got official confirmation of the Watch The Throne collaboration.
Jan. 11, 2011 - We received H*A*M. There's hope!
Mar. 8, 2011 - Possible release came and went.
Mid March - Possible release came and went.

... Months past and H*A*M has nearly been forgotten...

Jun. 5, 2011 - Possible tracklist leaks. May be this will happen afterall?!
Early July - Preorder available on Watch The Throne website.
Jul. 4, 2011 - Possible release came and went.
Jul. 5, 2011 - Possible single to be released in mid July.
Jul. 11, 2011 - Possible release came and went.

...And now mid-July is here.

The most elusive album of the year, Watch the Throne, still has yet to be given an official release date. It's been almost a year in the making. Now, with the pre-orders available, it's finally looking like the album may come to fruition. I will admit my faith waivered in Watch the Throne's existence, but I'm happier than ever to say I have pre-ordered it. Hopefully the August 2nd, 2011 rumors are true. Otherwise they just got me and my money...