Jay-Z Documentary Directed By Rick Rubin Heading To HBO

Jay-Z is the subject of a new, eight-episode documentary series heading to HBO and its streaming service, HBO Max, later this year.

At the time of publication, no release date has been confirmed, just the announcement that the project is landing on HBO “this fall” – spring for Australian viewers.

The documentary, Jay-Z in 8, was directed by music producer Rick Rubin and, according to a HBO synopsis, is set to explore the rapper’s “music, lyrics, life experiences and creative process,” detailing how they all inspired his career.

Of course, Rubin produced Jay-Z’s seminal track, 99 Problems, from The Black Album in 2003. Deadline notes that Rubin executive produces the upcoming documentary with the rapper himself, Shawn Carter, and actor Daniel Kaluuya. They’re joined by producers Laila Mattimore and David Rohde.

The trailer for Jay-Z in 8 is out now. Check it out below.

In the black-and-white teaser, Jay tells his collaborator, “Everyone had this same experience, except I was the one who could stand on the soapbox and articulate what we were going through.”

Rubin replied, “Without the pain, you wouldn’t have done the work.”

Jay-Z added, “So the pain, you don’t say it’s necessary, you don’t say you need it, but if it’s there, use it.”

The rapper’s latest album, 4:44, arrived in 2017.

Jay-Z is one of the best-selling artists of all time, having sold over 125 million records. In terms of critical acclaim, he’s taken home 25 Grammy Awards – the eighth-most of all time and the second of any hip-hop artist – as well as three Emmy Awards and was nominated for a Tony Award.

He was the first rapper to ever be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and just the eighth hip-hop act to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.