Jay-Z's "Open Letter": Magna Carta's Bonus Track Is a Hipster Hat Tip

Culture

Jay-Z can do pretty much anything he wants these days. Seriously, anything. So after dropping an album release tactic previously unheard of in the game and going platinum before that album even hit shelves, Hov had to find a wild way to promote a bonus cut.

Jay will issue "Open Letter," an unused song with political subject matter, and let fans do exactly that: open a letter. He's partnering with Third Party Records, headed by Jack White, to produce a playable vinyl letter that could hit the market sometime soon. Not too much is known about how this is going to work, but after an interview with New York City radio station Hot 97, it's hard not to get a little hyped.

Jack White, vinyl, and some off-beat way to release a B-side? It's a hipster dream. Jay's no stranger to rock collaborations, be it relationships with White, Beck, Lenny Kravitz, or Chris Martin. "Open Letter" features a hook from Swizz Beatz and some pointed verses that trump other songs on Magna Carta. While the album's promotion and exclusive download with Samsung were a little gimmicky, this has the potential to be something worth buying. I guess it all depends on how much the vinyl resembles one of those singing birthday cards we all try so desperately to muffle after its third loop.

Perhaps other recent releases should see interesting vinyl designs. Would you buy Chance The Rapper's Acid Rap if it came in some sheet of downloadable tabs? What if Kendrick Lamar's "Swimming Pools" came in bottle-form? The possibilities are endless. Let's just hope this doesn't cost too much; it is, after all, just one song.