NEWS: Jay-Z Has Begun Work On New Solo Record

Jay-Z has revealed he is two songs into his next solo record. The rapper who has been busy finishing up a collaborative album entitled Watch the Throne with fellow hip-hop star and producer Kanye West for a little over a year has apparently gotten his mojo back.

Working with West on Watch The Throne was so moving to Jay-Z, he decided to funnel some of those creative juices into his own solo release.

"I know exactly the tone and the whole feel of (my next) album," Jay-Z said at an exclusive listening session for Watch the Throne held in New York last week. "I think when you experience creativity, you should get it out as much as possible."

Jay-Z has had a busy 2011 thus far. He has spent most of his energy on collaborative efforts and promoting newly signed artists on his Roc Nation label like J. Cole and Jay Electronica. However the star will not let his own creative ambitions get in the way of the successes of artists on his label and will not allow his solo record to over shadow the work that his new signees have done.

“I don't play that. We're all competing for the same mind share,” said Jay-Z. “J. Cole and Jay Electronica are both making inspiring music."

Watch the Throne is rumoured to be released in early August, but the official date is still to be confirmed. Jay-Z’s new solo album will hopefully be released next year.