A battle royal has broken out behind the scenes of Jay-Z and Kanye West‘s new album, “Watch the Throne.”

Sources say the rappers — who call themselves The Throne and are releasing their expected blockbuster collaboration Aug. 8 on iTunes and four days later everywhere else — are barely speaking to each other as they iron out the details of their upcoming tour.

Live Nation’s presale event on Thursday was delayed, but tickets for the tour are slated to go on sale today, with shows at the IZOD Center Sept. 27 and 28.

The sources say West wants flashy concerts with “next-level production,” which would cost more than $400,000 per show. Jay-Z is said to be meticulous about costs and already has a larger, long-term advance from Live Nation that he has to pay back.

“Jay-Z can’t deal with Kanye,” an insider told Page Six. “Jay is a stone-cold businessman. He wants to recoup all of his money from Live Nation. But Kanye wants to upstage rock stars with a blowout show. He doesn’t care about costs. He has a lot less to gain from the shows.”

West is expected to agree to the conditions of the tour next week, but the business brouhaha between the powerhouse artists might have affected their backstage relationship.

Industry insiders were shocked to see West and Jay-Z perform separately with Young Jeezy last Monday night at the Highline Ballroom. “We were expecting them to come out together to perform a track from the album,” a source said. “They didn’t even go out together after the show.”

“Jay-Z is fed up with West’s antics,” another source said. “He doesn’t even want to be around him.” However, the two are expected to perform together at a listening party tonight at The Rose Planetarium in Central Park, according to The Post’s Dan Aquilante. A Live Nation rep said, “No comment.” The rappers’ reps didn’t get back to us.

UPDATE:

Jay-Z paid a surprise visit to Angie Martinez’s radio show on Hot 97 today.  Jay-Z addressed his rumored feud with Kanye West, preventing the leaks of Watch the Throne, the “amazing” video for “Otis,” his Roc Nation roster, and upcoming tour with ‘Ye. Among the highlights…

On reportedly feuding with Kanye over creative differences:

“Kanye’s my brother… Yes, we get on each other’s nerves. We push each other to be greater. Of course, there are times when we’re in the studio and we’re yelling. I would never disrespect that man or put my hands on him.”

On Watch the Throne:

 “I think this album is the perfect album at the perfecttime.”

On what he keeps in his Maybach:

 Ace of Spades, Nerds candy, an Hermès throw blanket, a couple Yankees hats, and sunglasses.

On President Obama:

“The President is like the second coolest person in the world [next to me].”

On the Spike Jonze-directed video for “Otis”:

“It’s very simple and very amazing.”

On his film partnership with Will Smith:

“We did a co-venture between Overbrook and Roc Nation.”

On signing his Roc Nation artists including J. Cole, Jay Electronica, and Bridget Kelly:

“If you gon’ come sign to Roc Nation, just realize that it’s gon’ take a second. I’m into artists, I’m not really into putting a single out.”

 

Watch VEVO presents Kanye West & G.O.O.D. Music:

 

:: JR§