NEW YORK (Island Def Jam) - On October 26th 2004, to coincide with the BEST OF BOTH WORLDS TOUR, reigning kings of R&B and Hip-Hop, R.
Kelly and Jay-Z, will release worldwide BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: UNFINISHED BUSINESS. The album features 11 previously unreleased songs and will feature special packaging including a lenticular cover featuring the artists' faces. The album is being released on Jive/Roc-a-fella/Def Jam in the United States and Canada. It will be available on Jive/BMG everywhere else in the world.
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: UNFINISHED BUSINESS is launching with the singles; "Big Chips" and "Don't Let Me Die." Both singles will be added at radio on October 4th.
September 29th will mark the opening night of "The Best Of Both Worlds," the most anticipated tour of 2004, when the multi-platinum duo of Jay-Z and R. Kelly join forces on stage for a 40-plus city tour. The consumer demand rose to unprecedented heights when fans were treated to a taste of the superstars' on-stage performance together at Jay-Z's sold-out 2003 Madison Square Garden concert. The nation-wide tour will kick off in Chicago, Illinois and end November 28th in Phoenix, Arizona.
Jay-Z has released 10 consecutive multi-platinum albums since 1996 and has sold over 33 million units. Jay-Z has been nominated for Grammy Awards as well as Billboard Music Awards and Radio Music Awards. This year alone, Jay-Z won 4 MTV Video Music Awards for his groundbreaking video "99 Problems," was honored with a Lifetime Achievement award by Prince Charles at the 1st Annual Prince's Trust Urban Music Festival, received ASCAP's Golden Note award for excellence in songwriting, and has received 2 American Music Award nominations for his critically acclaimed Black Album.
In addition to his success as a musical artist, Jay-Z has multiple businesses including 40/40 restaurants, Roc-A-Fella Records, Roc-A-Wear, and Roc-A-Fella Films. He is also responsible for the Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund (a scholarship fund for high school students in Brooklyn), The Annual Jay-Z Toy Drive, and Team Roc.
R. Kelly has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. In 1997, he won three Grammy Awards for his inspirational hit "I Believe I Can Fly" from the motion picture "Space Jam." In addition, he won Billboard Music Awards in several categories, including Hot 100 and R&B, in 1994, 1996, 1999, 2001, and 2003. In 1999, R. Kelly won an American Music Award for R&B/Soul Favorite Male Artist, and in 2003 he won both a Vibe and a BET Award. Just last month, he won seven R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at the 5th annual Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards show.
In addition, on August 27, 2004, R. Kelly won 3 BMI Awards for Urban Producer, Song and Most Performed Song of the Year for "Bump, Bump, Bump" and "Ignition."
One of the most sought after songwriters and producers of this era, R. Kelly has written and/or produced for Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Kelly Price, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Toni Braxton, Joe, Mary J. Blige, Maxwell, B2K, Jay-Z, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Nick Cannon and Twista.
