On JAY-Z's new album, 4:44, he opens up to the public like we're Barbara Walters, offering insights into his personal and family life like no other Hov project prior. And of course, one of the biggest takeaways from the always-looking-for-some-tea sector is Jigga admitting to faults in his relationship with wife, Beyonce. No. I.D., who produced the entire project, recently sat down with The New York Times, and talked about the recording process, including how he got Jay to open up to the masses about his infidelities.

With rumors floating around a while back that Jay would put out a response album to Bey's Lemonade, No. I.D. confirmed that was never the point of the project.

"We never directly spoke about [Lemonade]," he said. "Mainly because if he talks about himself, it’s going to bleed into that regardless. But there’s a difference in talking about it for the sake of response and for the sake of honesty and the truth. The truth needs to explain why you are the way you are, why you did what you did. We know what happened. We got it. But what were the circumstances that led to this and how do you feel about it?"

No I.D. did go on so say he had a hand in getting Hov to address the issue by curating a sample for the song "4:44" that spelled everything out for the rapper. "We just wanted him to respond and then let it be and still touch on other things," he said. "I created that beat to box him into telling that story. I put the sample from the singer Hannah Williams — it starts off with, 'I find it so hard/When I know in my heart/I’m letting you down everyday.' I remember him hearing it and looking at me like, 'O.K., fine.'"

After debuting as a Tidal exclusive, 4:44 should be hitting iTunes and Apple Music next week.

 

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