According to a recent New York Daily News report Jay-Z is secretly crafting a new album, in his private Chelsea, New York City studio, that may be released this November.

The president of Def Jam Recordings is reportedly conspiring with musical cohorts Timbaland and Dr. Dre, receiving beats from the latter, via email, and sending lyrics in return. Jay-Z "retired" in 2003, making 'The Black Album' his final solo LP. Since then he has released 'Collision Course', a mash-up album with rock/rap band Linkin Park, and appeared on remixes like Young Jeezy's 'Go Crazy' and Rick Ross's "Hustlin."

Even after Dipset front man Cam'ron dissed him last spring Jay-Z continued to quell rumors of a new album, shifting the focus to Def Jam's biggest new act, Nas. His former rival's Def Jam debut is tentatively scheduled for a September release.

However, beyond persistent rumors, in a recent interview with NBS, Jay-Z protégé Lupe Fiasco stated "he's working on his album you know?" "I guess he looking like the giants gotta come back and do they thing again. I don't know," he added.

Jay-Z served as executive producer for Fiasco’s 1st & 15th/Atlantic Records debut 'Food & Liquor', due out August 29. A November LP would make nine fresh solo albums in ten years for Jay-Z.

Taken from NobodySmiling.com