After announcing the documentary series in June, HBO has revealed the release schedule for “Jay-Z in 8,” which will feature the rapper sitting down with music producer and record executive Rick Rubin to discuss the lyrics and ideas for songs across eight episodes.
The first two episodes of “Jay-Z in 8” will debut back-to-back on HBO on September 18 at 8 p.m. ET. Both episodes will be available to stream on HBO Max at 8 p.m. ET. Following the premiere date, two new episodes will be released every Friday until the finale on October 9.
Each episode sees Jay-Z and Rubin sitting down to talk about various tracks from his discography, from early songs like “Brooklyn’s Finest” and “Can’t Knock the Hustle” to deeper cuts like “This Can’t Be Life” with Beanie Sigel and Scarface and “Ignorant Shit.”
In a trailer for “Jay-Z in 8,” the rapper and Rubin go back and forth about the impact that he had on hip-hop culture and why it’s become such a global force. “The reason why rap is so loved, that feeling of that underdog… That’s why people were listening, that’s why it hit them somewhere,” says Jay.
“Jay-Z in 8,” a Tetragrammaton production, is directed by Rubin and executive produced by Shawn Carter, Daniel Kaluuya and Rubin. Producers include Leila Mattimore and David Rohde. Co-producers are Harlin Lawal and Will Mavronicolas, and director of photography is Bradford Young. HBO executive producers are Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller and Sara Rodriguez.
