KANYE WEST AND JAY Z FORM NEW GROUP

Music icons and pop culture visionaries JAY-Z and Kanye West have joined their extraordinary talents to form the group ‘THE THRONE’ and confirm the most anticipated album and touring event of the year, WATCH THE THRONE. On Monday, August 8 ‘THE THRONE’S’ extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Recordings/Roc Nation/Universal Music Canada album collaboration, WATCH THE THRONE, will be available exclusively at iTunes®.

The lead track from WATCH THE THRONE, “Otis” is available now when fans pre-order the deluxe album exclusively at iTunes®. The album will be available at additional physical and digital retailers from August 12. Also on August 8, 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 at <a href="Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com. All fans who purchase their tickets online will receive a digital copy of the album. Beginning July 28, fans that visit www.LiveNation.com/WatchTheThrone , will have access to presale tickets, which includes a digital copy of the album. The Live Nation produced tour will begin on September 22 with 24 dates confirmed thus far, including Canadian stops in Toronto (Sep 24), Montreal (Sep 25) and Vancouver (Oct 14).

The longtime friends and music innovators inspired each other to new heights with their collaboration on WATCH THE THRONE which was recorded in person 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. Though shrouded in secrecy, the album has already been heralded as a ‘masterpiece’ by those who have heard it, and 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 has just been serviced to radio, brilliantly weaves Otis Redding’s “Try A Little Tenderness.”

The production is classic Kanye West soul, with the two MCs trading couplets over a sample manipulated the way only West can. ‘Sounds so soulful, don’t you agree?” intones JAY-Z, and the two launch into a treatise on swagger, claiming their rightful place at the top. Since the track’s release, the flood of praise for the track has been nothing short of deafening. Entertainment Weekly declares the track “the most well-executed rap song of the year.” “Otis” can be streamed at www.watchthethrone.com/otis .

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
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


OFFICIAL SEQUENCE

1. No Church In the Wild (feat. Frank Ocean)
2. Lift Off (feat. Beyoncé)
3. N---as In Paris
4. Otis (feat. Otis Redding)
5. Gotta Have it
6. New Day
7. That’s My Bitch
8. Welcome to the Jungle
9. Who’s Gon Stop Me
10. Murder to Excellence
11. Made In America (feat. Frank Ocean)
12. Why I Love You (feat. Mr. Hudson)

**** AVAILABLE ON THE DELUXE VERSION
13. Illest M----------r Alive ****
14. H.A.M ****
15. Primetime ****
16. The Joy (feat. Curtis Mayfield) ****

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