Jay-Z Enlists Kanye West, Daft Punk, Coldplay for NBA Video Game Soundtrack (Video)

5:16 PM PDT 7/31/2012 by Sophie Schillaci

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“It was really a pleasant surprise to see someone that was so passionate about this project,” 2K Sports’ VP of Marketing Jason Argent said of the music mogul’s involvement.

Jay-Z is enlisting the help of a few famous friends for his latest project, 2K Sports’ forthcoming NBA 2K13 video game.

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The rapper, who also co-owns the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, announced Monday that he would be serving as executive producer on the basketball game, curating the entire soundtrack as well as lending a hand to its overall aesthetic and video content. On Tuesday, 2K Sports released the official list of featured songs including tracks from Kanye West, Coldplay, Daft Punk, Meek Mill, U2 and, of course, Hov himself.

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“There’s an element of celebrity and an element of music and culture. The NBA, as an entity, transcends the sport itself, and we’re trying to reflect that,” Jason Argent, VP of Marketing for 2K Sports told The Hollywood Reporter. In addition to incorporating Jay-Z unique views into the game itself, Argent notes that the element of gameplay will take “another enormous leap forward” with the franchise’s 13th installment.

“This has been a unique opportunity to collaborate with 2K Sports and be a part of one of the best sports video games in history,” said Jay-Z in a press release. “NBA 2K13 will be the next evolution in sports and basketball culture, and I’m ready to usher in the new era of the franchise.”

Argent assures that the music mogul did his fair share of legwork for the forthcoming project, refusing to merely lend his name to a project without putting his official stamp of approval on the game.

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“He said when we first approached him, ‘I love this franchise and I’d love to be involved, but if I’m involved, I’m involved for real and in all aspects,’” Argent recalled. “’I want to sit and collaborate and contribute. I’m not going to just put my name on a game, I want to actually help you guys make it better.’”

“It was a really pleasant surprise to see someone that was so passionate about this project when he’s got so many other ones that he’s involved with,” he added.

Find the complete soundtrack for the game, due out Oct. 2, below.

The Hours "Ali in the Jungle"
Too Short "Blow the Whistle (Main)"
Eric B. and Rakim "I Ain't No Joke"
Phoenix "1901"
Jay-Z "Pump it Up (Freestyle)"
Puff Daddy and the Family "Victory (feat. Notorious B.I.G. & Busta Rhymes)"
Daft Punk "Around The World (Radio Edit)"
Santigold "Shove It (feat. Spank Rock)"
Kanye West "Amazing"
Jay-Z "Run This Town"
The Dirty Projectors "Stillness is the Move"
Nas "The World is Yours"
Coldplay "Viva La Vida"
Roy Ayers "We Live in Brooklyn, Baby"
Justice "Stress"
Kanye West "We Major (feat. Nas & Really Doe)"
Mobb Deep "Shook Ones, Pt. II"
Meek Mill "Ima Boss - Instrumental"
Kanye West "Mercy (feat. Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz)"
U2 "Elevation"
Jay-Z "On To The Next One"
Jay-Z "Public Service Announcement"
Jay-Z "H.A.M. (Instrumental)"