Jay Z rumoured to be working on new album after years of silence
Cash Cobain, Alchemist and Memphis Bleek Hint at Jay-Z’s Return to Music
Elohim Nyame 
Hip-hop legend and Roc Nation mogul Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter may be preparing to break his long musical silence with a new album, according to industry chatter from fellow artists.
On 3 September, New York rapper-producer Cash Cobain sparked speculation during an appearance on Billboard Unfiltered. While debating the kings and queens of New York rap, he hinted at a major surprise. “I heard Jay-Z ’bout to drop some sht that’s gon’ shake the world,”* he said.
Cobain is not the only one fuelling the rumour mill. Renowned producer The Alchemist also raised the possibility of new Jay-Z material during a recent interview on the Drink Champs podcast. “Imagine some new Jay-Z sht right now?”* he teased.
Adding to the speculation, Jay-Z’s longtime collaborator Memphis Bleek suggested on Drink Champs two weeks earlier that Hov was quietly “working” on fresh music. Bleek later revealed on his own podcast that Jay personally called to ask where he had gotten the information, jokingly wondering if engineer Young Guru had been leaking details.
Jay-Z has not released a solo album since 2017’s critically acclaimed 4:44, a deeply personal project that explored themes of family, legacy, and growth. Since then, the billionaire entrepreneur has focused on expanding his Roc Nation empire, business ventures, and philanthropic initiatives, occasionally appearing as a guest artist but steering clear of full-length projects.
If the rumours prove true, a new Jay-Z album would mark almost a decade since his last body of work — and, as many in the industry suggest, could “shake the world” of hip-hop once again.
