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As September is only around the corner and anticipation could be at an all time max for the Brooklyn MC, the cover art for Jay-Z’s upcoming Blueprint III has been released. With white instruments serving as a backdrop, the cover is highlighted by three red vertical stripes which could serve as the emblem for the upcoming project. To eradicate any rumors of this being an unofficial cover, it is reported that the image was first placed on Jigga’s own site to serve as confirmation.

The cover in itself seems to stand out as a message not only for where he has gone in his music, but also the steps ahead he has taken as a man as it shies away from the usual Hip-Hop cover and would mainly be something that would be expected from the likes of his little brother Kanye West who is highly into imagery. It works for Hov, however, in the sense that he has been highly influenced with the idea of live bands as he has utilized them for the past few years in his concerts.

Fueled by the controversial street single, “D.O.A.”, it sent warning shots to those that continue to overuse and over rely on the technology best used by the likes of Kanye West, T-Pain and Lil Wayne in Hip-Hop music. The actual single being “Run This Town” featuring Kanye West and Rihanna may not have come off as hard as his previous single, but serves more of an intro to his Roc Nation label as he proclaims that they will run things once again as he had back when Roc-A-Fella was the place to be.

Along with the artwork, a track listing has been leaked.

Although done with Def Jam, his old label also has decided to re-package the other works in The Blueprint series as sell them as one unit, releasing it on the same day.

September 11th is coming and with it will be the eighth anniversary of The Blueprint. Everyone get ready.

Here is the tracklisting. (Sadly, if this is official, fans may be missing out on the rumored sequel to Swagga Like Us that was reported to feature the likes of Young Jeezy, Nas and Andre 3000.)

1. What We Talking About (Produced by Kanye West)

2. D.O.A. (Produced by No I.D.)

3. Weigh Me Down (Feat. Kid Cudi) (Produced by Kanye West)

4. Unforgiven (Produced by Kanye West, Co-produced by MGMT)

5. Run This Town (Feat. Rihanna & Kanye West) (Produced by Kanye West)

6. Empire State Of Mind (Feat. Nas) (Produced by Kanye West & No I.D.)

7. When It Comes To This (Produced by Timbaland)

8. Always (Feat. Drake) (Produced by Kanye West)

9. Scenes From The Past (Produced by No I.D., Co-produced by Kanye West)

10. Everyday A Star Is Born (Feat. Mr. Hudson) (Produced by Kanye West)

11. Already Home (Produced by Kanye West)

12. Forever Young (Feat. Mr. Hudson) (Produced by Kanye West)

13. Thank You (Produced by No I.D.)

14. Sound Of The 70s (Produced by Kanye West) (Bonus Track)

15. We Made History (Produced by Kanye West) (Bonus Track)