Since the music industry found itself in the post-internet world, bands have been struggling and experimenting with new and different ways to connect to their audience and sell their music.

Bands such as Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails popularized the pay-what-you-want model. Others attempted digital only distribution to avoid having to deal with labels or retailers.  Even others have turned to crowd-sourcing via KickStarter or Pledgemusic to have their fans fund the completion of an album.  Today is a new day, however, and Hova’s leading the charge.  Get ready for the corporately funded album release.

Jay-Z returns on July 7th with his first album in 4 years, Magna Carta Holy Grail. The follow up to The Blueprint 3 is full of the Jay-Z standard collaborators, such as Pharell Williams, Timbaland and Swizz Beats, but he’s got an unexpected one - Samsung.

Starting June 24th, an exclusive free Magna Carta Holy Grail app will be available to users of Samsung Galaxy S III, Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note II devices, and on July 4th at 12:01am, the first million people to download the app will get to listen to the album on their devices.  Word is this is a HUGE deal for Mr. Carter, worth nearly $20 Million.

We’ll have to see who signs up next. For more info on the album and the app, check out this video from Samsung’s official YouTube page or the official Magna Carta Holy Grail site, here.

Source: The Verge