Jay-Z has delivered his first original rap verse in four years on a newly released remix of Beyoncé’s track ‘Morning Dew (Donk)’, marking a return to the microphone.
A Rare Verse on a Surprise Release
Released on August 5, the fresh remix package arrived as part of a four-track collection that reimagines the original song. Beyoncé originally surprise-released the track on July 4, marking her first new song in two years. According to release details, the song dates back to the recording sessions for her second solo record, B’Day, and was written alongside Pharrell Williams, The-Dream, and Darius Dixon, with production handled by Beyoncé and Pharrell.
On the new remix, Jay-Z enters the mix following a reworked chorus and post-chorus. He uses his guest appearance to reference his marriage and wealth, dropping lines such as, “Bitch so bad, I had to give her my last name” and “We just makin’ love, we just gettin’ rich.” This verse breaks a four-year drought of original rap verses for the artist, whose last original rap verse was on DJ Khaled’s 2022 track ‘God Did’. While he subsequently contributed spoken-word vocals to D’Angelo’s 2024 piece ‘I Want You Forever’, this remix marks his first time laying down original rap bars since the God Did collaboration.
Celebrating B’Day and Expanding Tour Plans
The timing of the ‘Morning Dew (Donk)’ remix aligns with upcoming anniversary celebrations. The track is set to feature on the forthcoming 20th-anniversary reissue of Beyoncé’s B’Day, which is slated for release next month to coincide with the singer’s 45th birthday on September 4. Speculation surrounding Beyoncé’s next full-length project remains high as fans continue dissecting clues regarding the anticipated Act III, which is expected to complete the trilogy that began with 2022’s Renaissance and continued with 2024’s Cowboy Carter.
Meanwhile, the couple has kept busy on stage. Beyoncé recently joined Jay-Z during his three-night run at Yankee Stadium in New York. She appeared on the opening night to perform ‘Can’t Knock The Hustle’ and returned on the final night for ‘Drunk In Love’. Jay-Z’s live itinerary continues with two performances at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 4 and 5, followed by a date at Paris’ Stade De France on September 10, and a two-night stand at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium on October 23 and 24.
Future Collaborations and Album Rumors
Fans hoping for a full-length solo follow-up to Jay-Z’s 2017 album 4:44 will have to keep waiting. Although rumors have circulated regarding a new project, friend and collaborator Cash Cobain recently dispelled those hopes, noting in an interview with Variety that the rapper explicitly stated he is “absolutely not dropping an album” anytime soon.
Even without a solo LP on the immediate horizon, Jay-Z is still making selective contributions. He is slated to appear on an upcoming track alongside Eminem and Rakim. Set to land on Rakim’s forthcoming album due out on August 28, that partnership marks the first time the three have joined forces in 25 years, ensuring that Jay-Z’s rare verses continue to carry weight in the modern rap landscape.
