Roc-A-Fella Records recently stopped co-founder Damon Dash from selling his own (non-fungible token) NFT of Jay-Z’s 1996 “Reasonable Doubt” album. Now the billionaire Hip-Hop icon has announced that he will be making the sale himself.

Variety reports that in honor of the album’s 25th anniversary, Jay-Z has partnered with artist Derrick Adams to create a one-of-a-kind animated digital artwork of the famous album’s cover, which is set to be auctioned off as an NFT in a special single-lot auction.

“Over the years Jay has collected and supported my work, and so this collaboration is particularly fulfilling,” Adams said in a statement. “With this NFT project, we jointly embrace the opportunity to further the conversation about how artists of different mediums contribute to a more inclusive society. My portraits aim to capture the sensibility, optimism and beauty of urban life, and in Jay’s work I’ve found tremendous kinship.”

According to Variety, this collaboration will be the first NFT that either party has created and offered for sale. A portion of the proceeds from the auction will go toward The Shawn Carter Foundation to help support those facing financial hardships and further their higher education at postsecondary institutions.

The NFT — which is titled “Heir to the Throne,” the original title of the album — is described as a digital image in which “Adams creates a fresh and contemporary visual representation of ‘Reasonable Doubt,'” according to an announcement.

JAY-Z (@sc) x @Sothebys x @DerrickAdamsny 'Heir to the Throne' 6.25.96 #ReasonableDoubt https://t.co/Zd2dslWNxE pic.twitter.com/gaA2LNVqgc

— Shawn Carter Foundation (@ShawnCarterSF) June 25, 2021

“Featuring his singular aesthetic style of bright colors, geometric forms, multi-layered textures, and flat surface dimensions, Adams has made a cinematic visual experience that channels not just the spirit and impact of the music, but also the aspirational impulses of a young musician at the dawn of his career,” it continues. “Emphasizing the symbolic relationship between success and a cigar, Adams makes the work come to life through animated glowing red embers and a stream of smoke that rises from the end of JAY’s iconic cigar, and transforms into the number 25 in honor of the album’s anniversary.”

Bidding for the NFT will be starting at $1,000 and is open now until July 2. An announcement shares that the digital artwork can also be viewed in Sotheby’s York Avenue Galleries now through July 1 and virtually at Sotheby’s gallery in the Voltaire Art District in Decentraland.

News of Jay-Z’s NFT comes on the heels of reports stating that Dash has made an attempt to sell his own NFT-version of “Reasonable Doubt.” As previously reported by AfroTech, the rap legend sued his former business partner for trying to put the NFT up for sale without his permission.

In addition to the NFT announcement, TIDAL wants to offer fans a chance to rediscover the debut album, uncover interactive credits, watch videos, hear commentary, and more.

To celebrate 25 years with Jay-Z, click here.

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