JAY-Z In 8 Series Premiere Review: A Deep Dive Into the Mind Behind the Lyrics

By Justin D Williams

After watching the first two episodes of JAY-Z In 8, I’m not entirely convinced I would call this a documentary series. HBO may be presenting it that way, but what I watched feels much closer to a filmed podcast. Jay-Z sits across from Rick Rubin and talks. There isn’t a constant narrator guiding us through his career, there isn’t an overwhelming amount of archival footage filling in every chapter of his life, and the series doesn’t seem particularly interested in giving us a traditional beginning-to-end biography. Instead, it allows Jay to sit down, pick apart his own work, and explain how some of those ideas came together. For me, that approach is actually what makes the series interesting. It also means JAY-Z In 8 is probably going to work considerably better for Jay-Z fans and hiphop fans than it will for someone casually looking for another celebrity documentary. These first two episodes spend a lot of time discussing lyrics, inspiration and the thought process behind the music. As someone who enjoys hearing artists break down why they wrote something a certain way, I found myself completely engaged by those conversations. Sometimes knowing the circumstances behind a lyric can completely change how you hear it, and there are several moments here where Jay provides that additional context.

What really works is how comfortable the conversation feels. Rick Rubin isn't constantly trying to steer Jay toward some dramatic revelation. He gives him room to talk, think and occasionally wander away from the original subject. That looseness is probably going to divide viewers because this isn't structured like a typical television interview. There are moments where it genuinely feels like someone simply turned on the cameras while these two were having a long conversation about music. I can understand why some viewers might consider that slow, but I found that natural quality refreshing. Jay also comes across differently when he's talking about the actual craft. We have heard his music for decades, but hearing him explain how he approaches a bar, where an idea originated or what he was thinking during a particular period gives you another perspective on the artist behind those records. That's where the first two episodes were strongest for me. I'm less interested in hearing another documentary tell me how successful Jay-Z became than I am in hearing Jay himself explain how his mind works when he's creating something.

That doesn't completely erase my issue with the documentary label. When I hear "documentary," I'm expecting a little more storytelling around the conversation. I expect footage, outside perspectives, historical context and some kind of narrative structure connecting everything together. JAY-Z In 8 isn't really giving me that so far. It's two highly influential people having an extended discussion, which isn't necessarily a criticism. I just think viewers should know what kind of series they're getting. Calling it an eight-part visual podcast honestly feels more accurate based on these opening episodes. And your enjoyment may ultimately depend on what you're looking for. If you don't have much interest in Jay-Z or the mechanics of hip-hop, I could easily see some of these conversations feeling extremely specific. The show isn't constantly trying to entertain you with dramatic editing or major revelations. It assumes that hearing Jay talk about lyrics, albums, influences and creative decisions is interesting enough on its own. For its target audience, I think it is.

I've only seen the first two episodes, so I'm reviewing the premiere rather than judging the complete eight-part series. The remaining episodes could expand the format or introduce elements that aren't as prominent at the beginning. But these opening chapters establish what JAY-Z In 8 wants to be, and I like what I've seen so far. It's relaxed, thoughtful and surprisingly focused on the actual creation of the music rather than simply celebrating the career. If you're coming into JAY-Z In 8 expecting the definitive documentary about Jay-Z's life, these first two episodes might not be what you're expecting. If you're a Jay-Z fan, a hip-hop fan, or simply someone fascinated by how artists turn experiences and ideas into lyrics, there's a lot more here to appreciate. I went in expecting a documentary and ended up watching what feels like an extended conversation about the craft of hip-hop. In this case, I don't think that's a bad trade at all.