Jay-Z 'Magna Carta Holy Grail' Downloads Will Not Count In British Charts [VIDEO]

Jay-Z made headlines when he announced a new album last, just a few weeks before the otherwise unknown project was to launch.

"Magna Carta Holy Grail" was announced in a Samsung commercial during an NBA Finals broadcast. The three-minute promo video featured footage of Jay working in the studio with Rick Rubin, Pharrell Williams and producer Timbaland. The spot didn't just advertise Jay of course. Samsung announced that the album would be available as a free download for users of its Galaxy smartphone three days in advance of the album's official release on July 7.

In order to provide the album to its users, Samsung had to make sure it had the rights in advance, and that meant shelling out $5 a copy for one-million copies of "Magna Carta," essentially making the album platinum before it even debuted. But does it?

At least not in UK. A spokesperson for the Official Charts Company told NME that the free downloads would not be counted.

"Music which consumers receive free of charge, either as physical releases or downloads, have never counted towards the Official Charts and this release will be no different," they said.

Billboard hasn't indicated whether the downloads will count, but there's a good chance that they follow the same policy as the Official Charts Company. The Samsung ploy may actually throw off Jay-Z's sales status in a big way. From a fiscal perspective, the Roc Nation label head shouldn't mind, as he's getting paid for the albums (and his sponsorship) either way. Whether not technically reaching platinum status will bother the rapper is all a question of pride.