Jay-Z Launches HBO Documentary Series ‘Jay-Z in 8’ Beginning September 18
Developed over time first seen 2 months ago
HBO has announced JAŸ-Z in 8, a documentary series in which Jay-Z reflects on his life, career and songwriting with producer Rick Rubin. The series revisits songs from across his catalogue and examines hip-hop’s appeal as an underdog-driven art form, while forming part of celebrations for the 30th anniversary of Jay-Z’s debut album, Reasonable Doubt.
The first two episodes premiered on 18 September, followed by two further episodes each Friday until 9 October. Directed by Rubin, the series covers tracks including “Can’t Knock the Hustle”, “99 Problems”, “4:44” and “The Story of O.J.”, alongside anniversary events such as concerts, pop-ups and Brooklyn Public Library commemorative cards.
- HBO series sees Jay-Z revisit his career with Rick Rubin
- Four episodes released between 18 September and 9 October
- Project marks Reasonable Doubt’s 30th anniversary
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Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, is an American rapper and businessman who became one of hip-hop’s most prominent figures after releasing his first album, Reasonable Doubt, in 1996. His music has often drawn on his upbringing in Brooklyn, New York, as well as themes including ambition, wealth, relationships and racial inequality.
Rick Rubin is a record producer known for working with artists across hip-hop, rock and other genres. A series built around discussions of selected songs offers a way to trace how Jay-Z’s writing and public career developed over three decades, while placing his work within the wider history of hip-hop.
Full account
HBO is set to begin airing Jay-Z in 8 on 18 September, an eight-part documentary series in which the rapper, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, reflects on his songwriting and recording career with producer Rick Rubin. The first two instalments will be shown consecutively, with further pairs scheduled each Friday until the final episodes on 9 October. They will also be made available for streaming on HBO Max at the time of broadcast.
The series is structured around discussions of individual songs from across Jay-Z’s catalogue. The opening programme is due to cover tracks including “Intro”, “Meet the Parents”, “Can’t Knock the Hustle” and “What More Can I Say”, while later episodes range from early recordings such as “Brooklyn’s Finest” and “Can I Live” to “4:44”, “99 Problems”, “The Story of O.J.” and “No Church in the Wild”. Rubin selected the songs used as prompts for the conversations.
A black-and-white promotional clip presents Carter discussing his early attachment to writing, saying that he began to take an interest in it as a child. It also returns to his view of rap’s appeal: that its identification with outsiders helped it connect widely and become an international cultural force. The programme therefore appears intended to combine close readings of particular lyrics with a broader account of his life and hip-hop’s development.
Rubin directs the Tetragrammaton production and is an executive producer alongside Carter and Daniel Kaluuya. The release forms part of a wider anniversary campaign centred on the 30 years since Reasonable Doubt, Jay-Z’s debut album. Reports point to recent New York performances and forthcoming appearances in London, Paris and Los Angeles, as well as related promotional events.
Where outlets differ
Source 1 supplies a more detailed broadcast timetable, production credits and a wider list of episode-by-episode song selections; it also highlights performances at Roots Picnic and Yankee Stadium. Source 2 concentrates more closely on the teaser, Carter’s childhood interest in writing and the anniversary campaign’s pop-up events and Brooklyn Public Library commemorative cards. Source 2 says Rubin selected the songs for discussion, whereas Source 1 describes the episodes more generally as conversations about tracks.
Coverage
- Variety — Jay-Z Documentary Series Sets HBO Release Date
- Rolling Stone — Jay-Z Reintroduces Himself Once More in New ‘Jay-Z in 8’ Trailer