Jay-Z recently announced plans to drop an a cappella version of his American Gangsteralbum. The instrumental free American Gangster will be available on Hov’s born day – December 4 – the same date as releases from Ghostface Killa, Wyclef Jean and DJ Drama.

Hov previously released an a cappella version of 2003’s The Black Album which eventually helped launch Gnarls Barkley producer Danger Mouse into the spotlight. Danger Mouse was among a number of DJ’s and producers to use the acappella for a mashup – his project The Grey Album set Jigga’s vocals over unauthorized samples from The Beatles.

The a cappella version of The Black Album spawned numerous remix albums, including Hov’s collaboration with Linkin Park for Collision Course, the Mike Shinoda-produced set that remains the only Black Album remix to get an official stamp of approval from Jay-Z.

It’s still too early to guess how producers and DJ’s will put the American Gangster a cappella’s to use, but with December 4 right around the corner time will soon tell.