Hip-hop/RnB producer The Dream has confirmed that rapper Jay-Z is indeed back in the studio and recording ‘grittier’ material.

In an interview with MTV-owned ‘RapFix’ The-Dream was asked whether he felt becoming a father had mellowed out Jay-Z’s lyrics, to which the producer replied “Nah, I think he’s gotten a little bit more gritty.”

The Dream also teased that he has been working on something ‘a little bit special’ with Jigga, however declined to give any further details. The producer said: “It’s so hard because on one hand, I’m really always anxious and excited about new music with everybody that I’m working with. On the other hand, they’re always A-List, high-profile, so nobody really wants them to know,” he said. “So it’s hard for me to actually explain what I’m working on, when it’s coming.”

This is exciting news – The Dream has worked on some of the biggest tracks of the past decade (including co-writing Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’); a grittier Jay-Z combined with The Dream’s fluid production could be a match made in heaven. Roll on PSA II if you ask me!

To whet your appetite, watch Jay-Z perform some of his greatest back catalogue from his phenomenal Hackney Weekend set below: