HBO Announces Jay‑Z Documentary Series Directed by Rick Rubin

HBO will release an eight‑part documentary series titled “Jay‑Z in 8” in the fall, streaming on HBO Max. The series is directed by producer and Def Jam co‑founder Rick Rubin, who also serves as an executive producer alongside the rapper and actor Daniel Kaluuya. Rubin will interview Jay‑Z about his music, lyrics, life experiences and creative process across the eight episodes.

The debut coincides with major anniversaries for the rapper: the 30th anniversary of his debut album Reasonable Doubt and the 25th anniversary of The Blueprint. These milestones are being marked with three sold‑out shows at Yankee Stadium, plus upcoming performances in Los Angeles and Paris. Rubin previously directed a similar music documentary, “McCartney 3,2,1.”

In a teaser, Jay‑Z told Rubin, “Everyone had this same experience, except I was the one that could stand on the soapbox and, like, articulate what we were going through,” to which Rubin replied, “Without the pain, you wouldn’t have done the work.”