JAY-Z IN 8

Rick Rubin Puts the Records on the Table

JAŸ-Z IN 8 is an eight-part conversation between Jay-Z and producer Rick Rubin, built around shared listening sessions rather than a conventional narrated biography. Thirty years after Reasonable Doubt, the pair revisit the writing, memories, and decisions inside a career that changed the scale of hip-hop.

The Lyrics Lead Back to the Life

Each chapter uses key songs to open a different part of the story. "Can't Knock the Hustle," "Brooklyn's Finest," "99 Problems," "4:44," and "The Story of O.J." are among the tracks examined, connecting specific lines to Jay-Z's childhood, personal experience, and changing perspective. The format leaves room for craft and autobiography to meet in the same conversation.

Eight Chapters, Two at a Time

The series marks Rubin's feature directorial debut and uses cinematography by Bradford Young. Jay-Z, credited as Shawn Carter, executive produces alongside Rubin and Daniel Kaluuya, giving the project substantial creative involvement from its subject.

The first two episodes debut on HBO and HBO Max September 18 at 8 p.m. Eastern. Two more arrive each Friday through October 9, letting the listening session unfold in measured pairs rather than one long catalog overview.