Jay-Z Documentary Series Sets HBO Release Date

HBO has at last pulled back the curtain on the release strategy for “Jay-Z in 8,” its eagerly awaited docuseries that was initially announced back in June. The project centers on Shawn Carter—better known to the world as Jay-Z—sitting down for candid, extended discussions with Rick Rubin, the legendary producer and co-founder of Def Jam Records. Rubin, whose fingerprints are all over classics from the Beastie Boys and Red Hot Chili Peppers, guides the rapper through eight episodes that break down the writing, wordplay, and creative spark behind a handpicked assortment of songs from Jay-Z’s vast discography. The result is an unusually personal window into how one of hip-hop’s most celebrated minds approaches his craft.

Mark your calendars for Friday, September 18, when the first two episodes drop back-to-back at 8 p.m. ET on HBO, with the same installments hitting HBO Max simultaneously for streamers. From there, the network rolls out two new episodes every Friday, wrapping up with a finale on October 9. Each chapter pairs Jay-Z and Rubin in conversation, touching on everything from early anthems like “Brooklyn’s Finest” and “Can’t Knock the Hustle” to deeper cuts such as “This Can’t Be Life,” which features Beanie Sigel and Scarface, and the sharply titled “Ignorant Shit.” In the trailer, the two trade observations about hip-hop’s worldwide reach, with Jay-Z noting, “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.” It’s a sentiment that resonates with the genre’s rise from New York block parties in the 1970s to its current status as a global cultural force, a trajectory Jay-Z himself has embodied since his 1996 debut.

Behind the scenes, “Jay-Z in 8” is a Tetragrammaton production, with Rubin directing and a heavyweight executive producer lineup that includes Shawn Carter, Daniel Kaluuya—the Oscar-nominated actor from “Get Out” and “Judas and the Black Messiah”—and Rubin himself. Leila Mattimore and David Rohde produce, while Harlin Lawal and Will Mavronicolas serve as co-producers, and Bradford Young, the cinematographer behind “Arrival” and “Selma,” shapes the visual tone. On HBO’s side, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, and Sara Rodriguez executive produce. The series lands amid a packed year for Jay-Z, who hit the stage at Philadelphia’s Roots Picnic in late May and then delivered three historic performances at Yankee Stadium, celebrating the anniversaries of “Reasonable Doubt” and “The Blueprint.” Up next, he’s slated for shows in London, Paris, and Los Angeles, including two nights at SoFi Stadium in late October. For fans eager to track every detail, the full episode-by-episode song list is laid out below.

Chapter One kicks off on September 18 (8:00–8:42 p.m. ET/PT) with “Intro,” “Meet The Parents,” “Can’t Knock The Hustle,” and “What More Can I Say.” Right after, Chapter Two (8:45–9:22 p.m. ET/PT) spotlights “Brooklyn’s Finest,” “I Love The Dough” featuring JAŸ-Z and Angela Winbush, and “What More Can I Say.” On September 25, Chapter Three (8:00–8:41 p.m. ET/PT) explores “Lyrical Exercise,” “This Can’t Be Life” with Beanie Sigel, “You Must Love Me,” and “4:44,” while Chapter Four (8:50–9:51 p.m. ET/PT) spans “Where Have You Been,” “Allure,” “Where I’m From,” “Can I Live,” and “Don’t You Know.”

October 2 brings Chapter Five (8:00–8:42 p.m. ET/PT) with “U Don’t Know,” “Politics As Usual,” and “Regrets,” followed by Chapter Six (8:45–9:38 p.m. ET/PT), a packed installment featuring “Jail,” “Ignorant Shit,” “Hovi Baby,” “Kill Jay-Z,” “99 Problems,” “Threat,” “Dead Presidents II,” and “Public Service Announcement (Interlude).” The series closes on October 9 with Chapter Seven (8:00–8:47 p.m. ET/PT) and Chapter Eight (8:47–9:42 p.m. ET/PT), the latter including “New York (Concept de Paris),” “The Story Of O.J.,” “No Church In The Wild,” “Family Feud,” and “Legacy.” The decision to include later tracks like “4:44” and “The Story of O.J.” underscores how Jay-Z’s songwriting has matured over the decades, with critics pointing out that his recent output frequently grapples with racial injustice, family dynamics, and self-reflection—solidifying his legacy as more than just a rapper, but a sharp-eyed observer of the world around him.