Jay-Z, Rick Rubin Reunite for HBO Doc Series
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- HBO is set to debut the eight-part documentary series "Jay-Z in 8" this fall, with Rick Rubin directing and interviewing Jay-Z about his music, lyrics, life experiences, and creative process.
- Rubin and Jay-Z have a long history — Rubin produced Jay-Z's "99 Problems" for The Black Album in 2003, giving the director unique standing to walk through the catalog.
- Tetragrammaton is producing the series, with executive producers Shawn Carter, Daniel Kaluuya, and Rubin, and producers Leila Mattimore and David Rohde.
- The announcement lands in a milestone year for Jay-Z, who is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Reasonable Doubt and the 25th anniversary of The Blueprint with shows and activations across the globe.
- Jay-Z made his grand return to the stage in May as a headliner at the Roots Picnic, revisiting hits and deep cuts alongside guests including Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Memphis Bleek, Jazmine Sullivan, Bilal, and Young Gunz.
- Jay-Z will take over Yankee Stadium for three nights in July — July 10 for Reasonable Doubt, July 11 for The Blueprint, and a July 12 finale revisiting the hits — and has announced "Jay-Z 30" concerts in Paris (September 10) and Los Angeles (October 23).
Why it matters: Jay-Z's HBO doc lands during a milestone year — the 30th anniversary of *Reasonable Doubt* and 25th of *The Blueprint* — and pairs him with Rick Rubin, who produced his 2003 hit "99 Problems." For HBO, it's a prestige music series timed to capitalize on Jay-Z's Roots Picnic return and Yankee Stadium anniversary run.
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