Pitchfork

Welcome to the new Idlewild, folks! While we here at the 'Fork believe that Jay-Z's rumored "comeback" album will be more forthcoming than the finally-released Outkast album and film, it comes with the same monumental mystery and anticipation attached. (Perhaps even more) With all the rumors coming from musicians, industry people, and bloggers everywhere, this is probably the best worst kept secret in music. Then again, maybe the confused and conflicting nature of those rumors make this "secret" the worst best kept (think about it). Without further ado, let's get straight to the "facts."

The album is called Presidential Gala. Or just Presidential. Or maybe Kingdom Come. It depends on whether you trust, respectively, Nah Right and SOHH.com, AllHipHop.com, or Billboard.com more, but it will have a title. Unless it doesn't. But it does come out on Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam in November, according to Billboard.com. Unless it doesn't.

Based on this picture of a message shown on a screen during Jay's recent performance in Bratislava, Slovakia as part of his previously reported water crisis awareness-raising world tour, Nah Right and AllHipHop.com speculate that the specific release date will be November 21 (though if that's the curve of a "2," why not the 28th?). On the other hand, reports on SOHH.com and NME.com (as well as unconfirmed rumors of one in Rolling Stone, which makes it a rumor of a rumor. Seriously, WTF people?) list the release date as November 14. Also, the MTV documentary about the tour is supposed to air November 24, so maybe that's the date to which the message refers. Did we mention this is all pretty much completely unconfirmed?

Billboard.com, SOHH.com, NME.com, and Nah Right all report that Kanye West and the Neptunes will contribute to the record, with Billboard.com and Nah Right agreeing that Dr. Dre and Timbaland also appear behind the boards. Nah Right throws Scott Storch's name into the mix. SOHH.com names Cool & Dre and the Runners. NME.com names Beyonce. And, in what is probably the best/worst rumor of all, Billboard.com briefly mentions that the album will feature production from Chris Martin. Yes, that Chris Martin.

According to Billboard.com, SOHH.com, and NME.com, the first single from Presidential Kingdom Gala Come is called "Show Me What You Got", which SOHH.com pegs for an October release. Billboard.com and NME.com report that Hype Williams will direct the video for the track, though SOHH.com claims the actual director to be F. Gary Gray of Friday, The Italian Job, and Outkast video fame.

We have to go lie down now. We have a headache.