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英語記事に慣れる「サクっと読む英文」

2017.8.15

Jay-Z releases new album, 4:44

Read the article to find out what the songs are about on Jay-Z’s new album.
Jay-Zの最新アルバムにはどのような曲が収録されているのか、記事を読んでみましょう。

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Jay-Z is one of the most famous and successful people working in hip-hop today. He has won many awards for his songs and performances and is also a founder of several businesses. He married the singer Beyoncé in 2008. They both usually manage their images and protect their private lives carefully. However, when audiences heard Jay-Z’s new album, titled 4:44, released on June 30, 2017, they were surprised. Compared to his previous work, Jay-Z’s songs seem to share personal details about his private life.

For many, Jay-Z’s new album appears to be a direct response to Beyoncé’s album Lemonade, which she released in April 2016. Several of the songs on Lemonade are about anger and cheating partners. There have been stories about Jay-Z cheating on Beyoncé for many years. Many people believed that Beyoncé was singing about her real feelings and experiences. People said that she was confirming that Jay-Z really did cheat on her.

However, Jay-Z did not respond to the stories in interviews or on Twitter. He is known for carefully controlling his image. That’s why the new album was shocking for many. One of the most surprising and personal songs is also called 4:44. Jay-Z explained the name of the song in an interview with iHeartRadio. He said he woke up at 4:44am just to write the song. In the song, he seems to be saying sorry to Beyoncé for cheating. He also says he is worried that his daughter will learn about his cheating and be angry at him in the future.

He also appears to give more details about things that Beyoncé’s album only mentioned briefly. He even deals with more recent news. He seems to confirm that he and Beyoncé had twins. Many people believe that the twins were born earlier in June this year, but neither Beyoncé nor Jay-Z has officially announced it.

The album is not only about Jay-Z’s relationship with Beyoncé. One song, Smile, is about his mother. Other songs deal with his interest in business. He also comments on modern hip-hop and politics. The final song on the album is a message to his oldest daughter and black communities, asking them to support each other.

Some people think that the personal stories in 4:44 and Lemonade are a way to get attention. They say Beyoncé and Jay-Z are performing, like actors in a TV show, to sell their music. Most reviewers, though, liked the album because it is personal and frank.
Jay-Z first released the album on his own app, Tidal. Now it’s available on iTunes as well. After it came out on iTunes, it became the best-selling album in 38 countries.

Jay-Z is one of the most famous and successful people working in hip-hop today. He has won many awards for his songs and shows. He also created several businesses. He married the singer Beyoncé in 2008. They don’t usually talk about their private lives. However, when people heard Jay-Z’s new album, they were surprised. The album is called 4:44 and came out on June 30 this year. The new songs seem to share personal information about his private life.

For many, Jay-Z’s new album seems to be a clear response to Beyoncé’s album Lemonade. Lemonade came out in April 2016. Several of the songs on that album are about anger and people cheating. There have been stories about Jay-Z cheating on Beyoncé for many years. Many people believed that Beyoncé was singing about her real life and feelings. People said her album shows that Jay-Z really did cheat on her.

However, Jay-Z did not talk about the stories in interviews or on Twitter. That’s why the new album was surprising for many. One of the most personal songs is also called 4:44. Jay-Z explained the name of the song in an interview with iHeartRadio. He said he woke up at 4:44am just to write the song. He seems to be saying sorry to Beyoncé for cheating. He also says he is worried that his daughter will learn about his cheating in the future. He is afraid that she will be angry at him.

He also seems to give more information about things that Beyoncé’s album talked about only a little. He even deals with more recent news. He seems to say that he and Beyoncé had twins. Many people believe that the twins were born earlier in June this year. However, Beyoncé and Jay-Z have not told any newspapers or magazines about it.

The album is not only about Beyoncé and their children. One song, Smile, is about his mother. Other songs deal with his interest in business. He also comments on hip-hop today. The final song on the album is a message to his oldest daughter and black communities. He asks them to help each other.

Some people think that the personal stories in 4:44 and Lemonade are just a way to sell music. They say Beyoncé and Jay-Z are just creating a story to make people interested. Many people, though, liked the album because it is personal and honest. The album came out first on Jay-Z’s own app, Tidal. Now it’s available on iTunes as well. After it came out on iTunes, it became the best-selling album in 38 countries.

キーフレーズ

founder 設立者
manage / control one’s image イメージ(印象)を管理する ・操る

人物や出来事などが、世間に対してどのように描かれるか(表現されるか)を管理する、という意味です。通常、有名人など公衆の目に触れる機会のある人物に使われます。

例:I hired a PR expert to help me manage my public image.
(世間に認識されている自分のイメージを管理するため、PRの専門家を雇った。)

compared to ~と比べると

2つ以上のものを互いに比較するときに使われます。

例:This city is huge compared to my hometown.
(私の故郷に比べるとこの都市は巨大だ。)

many  多くの人

記事中では ”many” は形容詞ではなく、代名詞として使われています。この場合、前後の文脈や状況から判断されるものを示して、多くの人(物)、という意味で使われます。

例:For many, his art was offensive.
(多くの人にとって彼の作品は不快であった。)

confirm 裏付ける
cheat on (someone)  (人)を裏切って浮気する

決まったパートナー以外の相手と隠れて関係を持つことを意味します。

例:She realized her husband was cheating on her when she found texts on his phone from another woman.
(彼の電話に他の女性からのメールを見つけた時、彼女は夫が浮気をしていると気がついた。)

briefly 簡潔に
deal with 取り上げる、扱う
black community 黒人社会、黒人のコミュニティー
frank 率直な
come out  売りに出される

▼こちらもCheck!
使いこなす句動詞 “come out”

こちらのコーナーでは、Gabaマンツーマン英会話の受講者様向け学習コンテンツ、「myRead」で取り上げた記事についてご紹介しています。日本語訳については、本記事における意味になりますのでご了承ください。
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