HBO Sets Release Schedule for ‘Jay-Z in 8’ Documentary Series

HBO has announced the release schedule for Jay-Z in 8, its upcoming eight-part documentary series featuring Jay-Z in conversation with legendary music producer and record executive Rick Rubin. The series will explore the stories, lyrics and creative ideas behind some of the rapper’s most influential songs.

The first two episodes will premiere back-to-back on HBO on Friday, September 18, beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Both episodes will also be available to stream on HBO Max at the same time. Two new episodes will follow each Friday, with the eight-part series concluding on October 9.

Throughout Jay-Z in 8, Jay-Z and Rubin revisit tracks spanning different stages of the rapper’s career. The selections range from early classics such as “Can’t Knock the Hustle” and “Brooklyn’s Finest” to deeper cuts including “This Can’t Be Life,” featuring Beanie Sigel, and “Ignorant Shit.”

A trailer for the series shows Jay-Z and Rubin discussing the rapper’s influence on hip-hop and the genre’s evolution into a global cultural force. Jay-Z reflects on the connection audiences have with rap, particularly its association with the underdog experience.

Tetragrammaton produces Jay-Z in 8, with Rubin directing. Shawn Carter, Daniel Kaluuya and Rubin serve as executive producers, while Leila Mattimore and David Rohde are producers. Harlin Lawal and Will Mavronicolas are co-producers, and Bradford Young serves as director of photography. HBO executive producers are Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller and Sara Rodriguez.

The documentary arrives during a major year for Jay-Z. The rapper returned to the stage at Philadelphia’s Roots Picnic in May before performing three nights at Yankee Stadium, where he celebrated milestone anniversaries for his landmark albums Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint. He is also scheduled to perform in London and Paris before heading to Los Angeles for two shows at SoFi Stadium in late October.

‘Jay-Z in 8’ Release Schedule

Chapter One — September 18, 8:00–8:42 p.m. ET/PT
Features “Intro,” “Meet The Parents,” “Can’t Knock The Hustle” and “What More Can I Say.”

Chapter Two — September 18, 8:45–9:22 p.m. ET/PT
Features “Brooklyn’s Finest,” “I Love The Dough (featuring JAŸ-Z & Angela Winbush)” and “What More Can I Say.”

Chapter Three — September 25, 8:00–8:41 p.m. ET/PT
Features “Lyrical Exercise,” “This Can’t Be Life (featuring Beanie Sigel),” “You Must Love Me” and “4:44.”

Chapter Four — September 25, 8:50–9:51 p.m. ET/PT
Features “Where Have You Been,” “Allure,” “Where I’m From,” “Can I Live” and “Don’t You Know.”

Chapter Five — October 2, 8:00–8:42 p.m. ET/PT
Features “U Don’t Know,” “Politics As Usual” and “Regrets.”

Chapter Six — October 2, 8:45–9:38 p.m. ET/PT
Features “Jail,” “Ignorant Shit,” “Hovi Baby,” “Kill Jay-Z,” “99 Problems,” “Threat,” “Dead Presidents II” and “Public Service Announcement (Interlude).”

Chapter Seven — October 9, 8:00–8:47 p.m. ET/PT

Chapter Eight — October 9, 8:47–9:42 p.m. ET/PT
Features “New York (Concept de Paris),” “The Story Of O.J.,” “No Church In The Wild,” “Family Feud” and “Legacy.”

With Jay-Z and Rubin examining the stories and creative decisions behind songs from across his catalog, Jay-Z in 8 will offer an in-depth look at the music and ideas that helped shape one of hip-hop’s most influential careers.