No I.D. Hails Beyoncé’s “Genius-Level” Input Into JAY-Z’s 4:44
“I always call Bey our de facto A&R,” the producer said.
JAY-Z worked closely with Chicago-based producer No I.D. to craft his new album, 4:44. However, speaking to the New York Times, the producer suggested that nothing the pair created together made it onto the album until it had been met with Beyoncé's approval.
“I always call Bey our de facto A&R. Pillow talk is the strongest conversation on the planet,” he said in a new interview published following the release of the new album. “Every song has to get past her ears, in my eyes. She came by a lot and played a good part in helping us get over hurdles on certain records. Of course she’s genius-level with that.”
No I.D. also touched briefly on how much they focused on responding to Bey's Lemonade during the recording process. The album title track acts as a public apology for past indiscretions.
“We just wanted him to respond and then let it be and still touch on other things. I created that beat to box him into telling that story,” the producer explained.
In a separate interview No I.D. said that there are more songs from the 4:44 sessions, including tracks recorded with James Blake.