Jay-Z and Kanye West (The Throne) make iTunes History

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Making history is nothing new for Jay-Z and Kanye West. Before Jay-Z, rappers waited on record deals. Before Kanye West, rappers were afraid to speak their minds. Kanye West went his entire career having his mentor by his side at Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam. However, Jay-Z left the label in 2008.

It was during this time when Kanye West established himself as a force, without the help of Jay-Z. During this time, Kanye West battled a media backlash, among other things. Last year, Kanye West returned with a critically-acclaimed album and returned to the top of the game. Days after the release of his comeback album, it was announced that he and Jay-Z would be releasing a collaboration album.

Watch the Throne was billed as the first time Jay-Z and Kanye West would share the mic as equals. After numerous delays, the album was released last week. With the exception of Tha Carter IV, this album was the highest-anticipated album of 2011. One week after the release, the sales are in and The Throne has broken another record. Today, it was revealed they sold 290,000 copies off iTunes, alone, destroying the previous record set by Coldplay in 2008 at 155,000.

The final sales, of all outlets, will be announced on Wednesday.