Jay-Z Returns To Instagram To Post Trailer For ‘Book Of Clarence’ Bible-Era Film

Jay-Z’s official Instagram account is usually… not there. The superstar rapper rarely posts on the ‘gram or provides content in any social media space — but today was an exception. The Grammy-winning rapper posted a 2:03-minute movie trailer for Book of Clarence and let the mic drop.

“I’m Clarence. I’m not a man without faults. I played the cards I was dealt.” That’s according to Clarence, the title character portrayed by Lakeith Stanfield at the beginning of the trailer, which posted on both YouTube and Jay-Z’s Instagram early Tuesday.

Book of Clarence showcases a down-on-his-luck man attempting to capitalize on the influence of the Messiah. The Jeymes Samuel-directed film is coming out January 24, 2024, and features Stanfield, Alfre Woodard, and David Oyelowo. It is produced by Samuel, Shawn Carter, James Lassiter and Tendo Nagenda.

The film trailer showcases a multicultural cast of characters in AD Jerusalem, looking on wistfully as the masses turn to Jesus of Nazareth for healing. Clarence, portrayed by Stanfield, tries to scam himself in on the popularity of magical blessings. Just before an unidentified someone’s foot starts to possibly appear to walk on water? The trailer ends.

The cast includes Omar Sy, Anna Diop, RJ Cyler, David Oyelowo, Micheal Ward, Teyana Taylor, Caleb McLaughlin, Eric Kofi-Abrefa, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, James McAvoy and Benedict Cumberbatch.

The release generated thousands of comments as the rapper lent his star power to the pre-release campaign.

As DJ Dnice noted on the post: “HOV pops on to promote and then bounce. Gotta love it!”