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Thirty years after his landmark debut album, artist, icon, philanthropist, and entrepreneur JAŸ-Z sits down with longtime friend, producer, and director Rick Rubin for an intimate reflection on his storied career.
“Life. Lyrics. Music.”
JAŸ-Z
Self
Rick Rubin
Self
2026
Rapper JAŸ-Z delves into his songs "Intro," "Meet the Parents," and "Can't Knock the Hustle" with longtime friend and music producer Rick Rubin, expanding on how his childhood in Brooklyn and teenage years in New Jersey influenced his creative process.
JAŸ-Z discusses the pitfalls of early fame, the East Coast-West Coast rap beef, and his relationships with The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac.
Rubin probes JAŸ-Z on his lyrical choices and storytelling through excerpts from "Lyrical Exercise," "This Can't Be Life (featuring Beanie Sigel)," and "You Must Love Me." Later, JAŸ-Z reveals the vulnerabilities of making his 13th studio album, "4:44."
Through his songs "Where Have You Been," "Allure," "Where I'm From," "Can I Live," and "Don't You Know," JAŸ-Z talks about reconnecting with his late father as a teenager and how his plans for retirement informed "The Black Album."
While discussing "U Don't Know," "Politics as Usual," and "Regrets," JAŸ-Z shares the realities of paving the way for others, allowing for multiple interpretations of his work, and acknowledging the effect of celebrity on his life.
Through the songs "Jail," "Hovi Baby," "Kill Jay-Z," "99 Problems," "Threat," "Dead Presidents II," and "Public Service Announcement (Interlude)," JAŸ-Z and Rubin discuss the politics of the music industry and life as an artist after "The Black Album."
With decades spent in the music industry, JAŸ-Z discusses the process of working with friends and big name collaborators, finding solace in his evolving relationship with spirituality and therapy, and continuing to challenge himself in the studio.
JAŸ-Z expresses the importance of his role as an artist to challenge racism and inequality while discussing his songs “New York (Concept de Paris),” “The Story of O.J.,” “No Church in the Wild,” “Family Feud,” and “Legacy.”
