Magna Carta Holy Grail cover art

  Studio Album · No. 12

Magna Carta Holy Grail Songwriting Credits by Jay-Z

2013 Roc Nation 16 tracks 59 min

Produced by The-Dream, Timbaland, J-Roc, No I.D., Boi-1da, Vinylz, Pharrell, Hit-Boy, Hey DJ Camper, Mike Dean, WondaGurl, Travis Scott, Swizz Beatz, Mike Will Made It, Marz, Hip Hop  ·  Engineered by Demacio "Demo" Castellon, Chris Godbey, Ken "Duro" Ifill, Jaycen Joshua, DJ Swivel

Roc Nation Hip-HopEast Coast Hip-Hop
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 16 of 16 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 16 / 16 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 16 tracks with documented writers, by whether Jay-Z carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
16 trackswritten by Jay-Z 0 tracksoutside writers
Jay-Z's roles on this album

Share of the 16 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer0%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

16
Tracks
7
Lyricists
17
Producers
3 million
US Copies Sold
2013
Released

Awards & Recognition 1

Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (2014, 'Holy Grail')
Data Insight

Magna Carta Holy Grail keeps Jay-Z's lyricist-only model while loading the album with marquee sung collaborators. He wrote every verse, but the hooks from Justin Timberlake, Frank Ocean, and Beyoncé put those names in the lyricist column beside him, and the composer column runs through Timbaland and J-Roc plus a Nirvana interpolation on 'Holy Grail.' It is a luxury-rap blockbuster where his words sit atop one of his most expensive guest and production rosters.

Magna Carta Holy Grail is the twelfth studio album by Jay-Z, released in July 2013 and notable for a Samsung deal that gave away a million copies to phone owners, certifying it platinum before its public release. Themed around fame, luxury, and the burdens of wealth, it is built largely on dense Timbaland and J-Roc production. Jay-Z wrote every verse, while the music and sung hooks come from a star-studded cast, with Justin Timberlake on 'Holy Grail,' Frank Ocean on 'Oceans,' and Beyoncé on 'Part II (On the Run).' The composer credits include a Nirvana interpolation on 'Holy Grail.' The album debuted at number one, was certified three-times platinum, and won a Grammy for 'Holy Grail.'

Track Listing & Credits 16 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Holy Grail #4
Jay-ZThe-DreamJustin Timberlake Timothy MosleyJerome HarmonErnest WilsonKurt CobainDavid GrohlKrist Novoselic The-DreamTimbalandJ-RocNo I.D. Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Justin Timberlake (Featured Vocals)
2
Picasso Baby
Jay-Z Timothy MosleyJerome HarmonAdrian Younge TimbalandJ-Roc Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)
3
Tom Ford #39
Jay-Z Timothy MosleyJerome Harmon TimbalandJ-Roc Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)
4
Fuckwithmeyouknowigotit
Jay-ZRick Ross Matthew SamuelsAnderson Hernandez Boi-1daVinylzTimbalandJ-Roc Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Rick Ross (Featured Vocals)
5
Oceans
Jay-ZFrank Ocean Pharrell Williams PharrellTimbaland Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Frank Ocean (Featured Vocals)
6
F.U.T.W.
Jay-Z Timothy MosleyJerome Harmon TimbalandJ-Roc Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)
7
Somewhereinamerica
Jay-Z Chauncey Hollis Jr.Darhyl Camper Jr.Michael Dean Hit-BoyHey DJ CamperMike Dean Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)
8
Crown
Jay-Z Ebony OshunrindeJacques WebsterMichael DeanKirk BennettMiguel CollinsBobby Dixon WondaGurlTravis ScottMike Dean Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)
9
Heaven
Jay-ZThe-DreamJustin Timberlake Timothy MosleyJerome HarmonWilliam BerryPeter BuckMichael MillsJohn StipeAdrian Younge TimbalandJ-Roc Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Justin Timberlake (Featured Vocals)
10
Versus
Jay-Z Timothy MosleyKasseem DeanJerome HarmonJonathan DavisFrederick HubbardMuhammad JonesMalik Taylor TimbalandSwizz Beatz Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)
11
Part II (On the Run) #80
Jay-ZJames Fauntleroy Timothy MosleyJerome Harmon TimbalandJ-Roc Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Beyoncé (Featured Vocals)
12
Beach Is Better
Jay-Z Michael Williams IIMarquel Middlebrooks Mike Will Made ItMarz Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)
13
BBC
Jay-ZNasJustin Timberlake Pharrell WilliamsTimothy MosleyKasseem Dean Pharrell Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Nas (Featured Vocals)Justin Timberlake (Featured Vocals)Pharrell Williams (Featured Vocals)
14
JAY Z Blue
Jay-Z Timothy MosleyJerome HarmonJustin TimberlakeCarlos BroadySean CombsDarryl McDanielsNashiem MyrickChristopher Wallace TimbalandJ-RocJustin Timberlake Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)
15
La Familia
Jay-Z Timothy MosleyJerome Harmon TimbalandJ-Roc Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)
16
Nickels and Dimes
Jay-Z Kyambo JoshuaMichael DeanSumach Valentine Hip HopMike Dean Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 59 contributors

More from Jay-Z

Frequently Asked Questions Magna Carta Holy Grail

Did Jay-Z write Magna Carta Holy Grail?
Yes. Jay-Z wrote all of his own verses. The sung hooks were co-written by guests like Justin Timberlake and Frank Ocean, with most production from Timbaland and J-Roc.
How did Magna Carta Holy Grail go platinum before release?
Samsung bought a million copies and gave them away to Galaxy phone users, and the RIAA counted those toward a platinum certification before the public release date.
Who is featured on Holy Grail?
Justin Timberlake sings on 'Holy Grail,' which interpolates Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit,' so Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl, and Krist Novoselic are credited as writers.
Is Frank Ocean on Magna Carta Holy Grail?
Yes. Frank Ocean is featured on and co-wrote 'Oceans,' which was produced by Pharrell.
Did Magna Carta Holy Grail win a Grammy?
Yes. 'Holy Grail' won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 2014 Grammy Awards.
Who produced most of Magna Carta Holy Grail?
Timbaland and his partner J-Roc produced the bulk of the album, with Pharrell, No I.D., Mike Dean, and others on individual tracks.

Sources