Jay-Z's Magna Carta Holy Grail album artwork on display next to real Magna Carta

Jay-Z's Magna Carta Holy Grail album artwork on display next to real Magna Carta

This might be the one and only time an 800-year-old historical document is ever referenced in 3am...

But Jay-Z shocked music fans in sleepy Wiltshire when he chose Salisbury Cathedral as the surprise global reveal of his new album artwork, Magna Carta Holy Grail, on Wednesday.

Tying in with the title of his 15th studio album, Jay, 43, chose the venue as it holds one of the four actual 1215 Magna Carta documents, a 63-clause charter setting out the origins of English liberty, law and democracy.

But you remembered that from GSCE History, right?

Just a normal album launch then

 

The framed art-work - which depicts two black-and-white statues - will be on display until the end of the month, and the Cathedral setting will surely have his God-complex mate Kanye “Yeezus” West kicking himself he didn’t think of it first.

Now fans are eagerly waiting to see if the man himself will make a visit when he visits the UK to perform at Wireless festival in just over a week’s time.

A source says: “Jay-Z’s never even visited Salisbury but he loved the idea of the alignment of his work of art with this historical document in such a spiritual setting, he thinks it will be good karma for the album.

“He’s not confirmed all his plans for his UK visit yet, but it’s not out of the question that he will want to see the installation in person - it’s an incredible stage for it, and like nothing he’s ever done before.”

The Dean of Salisbury, the Very Re vd June Osborne, said she was “delighted” that the rapper had arranged for the collaboration with the Cathedral and added “the ideals the Magna Carta embodies are still relevant today and with Jay-Z, through his album.”

Salisbury Cathedral - at least Jay-Z is using his imagination

 

Who knew he was such a history buff?

Meanwhile, he’s dropped his tuff-man persona for a bit and admitted it’s a little bit scary being a first-time daddy.

He revealed: “My pop left when I was young. He didn’t teach me to be a man, nor how to raise a child, or how to treat a woman. Of course my karma, the two things I need, I don’t have. And I have a daughter.

“It’s the paranoia of not being a great Dad.”

I’m sure you’re doing a great job Jay-Z.

But maybe now you could get the Salisbury choirists to sing Blue Ivy your songs as lullabies?

Jay-Z recently opened up about his fears of being a good father to Blue Ivy in the promo for his album - watch below.