Kanye West To Release New Studio Album Before 2009

US rapper Kanye West will release his fourth studio album before the end of the year, according to the musician’s management company.

Although the album is currently untitled, West has previously referred to the record as ‘Good Ass Job’, in keeping with the collegiate theme of its predecessors.

A track entitled ‘Love Lockdown’, which the rapper has been performing live, is thought to be the first single and may appear online imminently, reports Billboard.

As previously reported on Gigwise, the rapper will close this years MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday (September 8th).

He appearance comes a year after he vowed never to appear on the channel again after missing out on all five of his nominations in 2007.

Britney Spears will open the show but will not perform. Instead she has vowed to “kick off” proceedings.

MTV president Van Toffler said he would be “rooting” for Spears, saying that it felt like her year.

This years VMAs will be presented by comedian Russell Brand and artists scheduled to perform live include T.I., Rihanna, Lil' Wayne and Paramore.