Jay-Z announces new album ‘Magna Carta Holy Grail’

Leave it to Jay-Z to sell a million copies of a new album even before he announces its existence to the world.

The rapper and mogul debuted the news of a new LP, “Magna Carta Holy Grail,� in a Samsung-partnered commercial during Game 5 of the NBA finals Sunday. The clip showed him trying on beats with producers such as Rick Rubin and Pharrell Williams and talking new business models. Indeed, “Magna Carta� comes with a novel one for its July 4th release.

The electronics company Samsung reportedly pre-bought the first million copies of the album, which it will distribute free to users who sign up June 24 for a specialized app for its Galaxy phones and tablets, with the album landing July 4. The Wall Street Journal reports that the company paid $5 per advance copy, giving Jay a considerable payday for an album no one outside his circle had even heard of. The album gets a traditional release three days later.

The release strategy comes at a potent time for Jay and for the intersection of music and tech. News of the album comes just days after the new album by his “Watch the Throne� partner Kanye West was leaked ahead of its Tuesday release date, and days after Samsung rival Apple announced iTunes Radio, a streaming service that will also offer exclusive advance tracks.

One detail still being hashed out -- whether or not these corporate pre-sales will count toward the Soundscan tally for “Magna Carta Holy Grail.� The sales-tracking service has recently tweaked its rules to prevent fire sale price cuts of albums at online retailers such as Amazon to guarantee higher sales figures.

ALSO:

Kanye West’s ‘Yeezus’ leaks, Internet goes crazy

L.A.’s biggest nightclub owner bets big on Vegas casino

Elliott Smith to be celebrated with tributes in L.A., elsewhere