Whose Kickoff Is It Anyway?
On "Dead President$", strategic rollouts, and what may be brewing for RD30.
30 Years of “Dead President$”
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Jay-Z’s debut album Reasonable Doubt. On February 20, 1996, the promo single “Dead President$” was released; however, it’s not the version that made the final album cut.
Instead, the album featured a version with a new title—“Dead Presidents II”—and new verses, while the original, also known as “Dead Presidents I,” was used for the music video.
The morning of the anniversary, I posted the Note on the left. Some of you may have seen it, but ultimately, I felt I had too many typos, needed to clarify timelines, and didn’t say enough. Blah blah blah. Every time I edited it, I found something else wrong, so I decided to go to sleep and post in the morning. No biggie.
Well.
Here’s what happened right after I closed the laptop and joined the rest of my East Coasters for a half night’s rest:
“Dead President$” MV released on Jay-Z’s YouTube Channel
Album, clean, and instrumental versions are now available on streaming platforms
Cassette, CD, and vinyl available for purchase on RocNation.com
I’ll keep my eyes and ears open and update this post if I learn anything else. But I will say this makes me even more excited for the album’s anniversary this June 25th. As I mentioned on the Notes TL, Hov has done it pretty big to celebrate the album's 10th and 20th years, so I look forward to seeing what he has up his sleeve for RD30.
Jay-Z discusses RD10 at Radio City Music Hall (includes a few clips of the performance as well)
Watch JAY0Z:RD20 Documentary
This is one of those moments where I’m glad my perfectionism didn’t stop me from posting when I couldn’t get it “right,” because our suspicions about Hov since his Super Bowl appearance this year are inching closer to being confirmed.
The Game Needs Me
Whispers (wishes?) of a new project began after the mogul was spotted sporting a very Hov-esque, understated look— black hoodie, black pants, black gloves. Quiet, but loud to those paying attention.
The hoodie—black with white lettering across the chest—was a collaboration between Roc Nation, Paper Planes, and the NFL. A limited-edition drop from their “THE GAME NEEDS ME” capsule collection celebrating Roc Nation’s executive production of the halftime show.
And then you see it:
The. Game. Needs. Me.
What do you mean by that, sir? The literal game about to kick off? Or the rap game? Both of which you’ve been undeniable kindling for.
In true Hov fashion, he has us thinking—anticipating—and trying to decide whether this is just a clever callback or the beginning of a masterclass rollout tied to the upcoming career milestone. I’m voting for both.
Can’t leave rap alone; the game needs me.
-Izzo H.O.V.A)
Given Jay-Z’s track record, it’s not far-fetched to anticipate a stealthy and unorthodox rollout— he’s not new to this. And if I’ve learned nothing else over the years of being a huge supporter of both Beyoncé and Jay-Z, it’s that the Carters are strategic AF.
In 2013, Hov shifted the standard for album releases, leaving us all wondering who earns the right to drop an album, control access to it, and still protect the bottom line. In a pioneering $5 million partnership with Samsung, Jay-Z’s twelfth studio album, Magna Carta… Holy Grail was released exclusively to one million Galaxy users via a free app three days before its July 4th general release.
I actually remember commandeering my Dad’s Galaxy (S3?) and downloading the app to listen because, while I did have a Galaxy, I didn’t have Sprint—he did. I tied his phone up for the entire hour (approx.) What a time!
That same year, Beyoncé pushed even further past the traditional concept of an album rollout with the surprise release of her self-titled project. I remember that, too—finals week of my junior year of college. My roommate was bleaching her hair for the second time that night (it turned out beautifully, don’t ask me how), and I was sitting on the floor of our way-too-small bedroom, listening to music. Then I saw that bold pink lettering and committed to listening to the album that night— GPA be damned. Bey wasn’t lying when she said “world stop.”
In 2017, the campaign for 4:44 featured a series of cryptic teasers, including projections of the 4:44 title in various locations, followed by an exclusive release for Sprint customers and Tidal subscribers.
You see what I’m saying? They move like that.
And if we consider how Beyoncé hard-launched the Cowboy Carter era in 2024 at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas with a world-stopping, big-haired look that screamed BEEN COUNTRY— followed by a Verizon commercial and two singles: “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages,” maybe, just maybe, Jay is following suit.
No pressure or extreme guesses from me, though. Just a little pattern recognition.
I believe in artists taking as much or as little time as they need for their art and presenting it in the way they intended. But there are very few feelings that match the excitement of your favorite artists popping out, giving you a reason to keep your eye on them.
You won’t ever see me comin’ or goin’ but you’ll know whenever I’m here. (Beyoncé, “II Hands II Heaven”)
Bring back the celebrities who have a grounded, down-to-earth quality but still know how to do celebrity. I appreciate that.
Here’s to watching the story unfold over the next ~4 months.
So what do y’all think: was the kickoff kicking off more than the game?
How do you think Jay-Z will celebrate RD30? Or are you like me—just along for the ride?
🙌🏾🙌🏾