The latest trailer for Jay-Z’s upcoming HBO docuseries has officially arrived. Alongside the new footage, the HBO Original series JAŸ-Z in 8 has secured an official release date and unveiled key production details.
According to official updates, JAŸ-Z in 8 will premiere on Friday, September 18, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max. For cable viewers on HBO, the docuseries debuts at 8:00 PM ET with back-to-back episodes. HBO Max subscribers will also have access to stream both premiere episodes starting at 8:00 PM ET.
The official synopsis for the series reads, “30 years after his landmark debut album Reasonable Doubt, artist, icon, philanthropist, and entrepreneur JAY-Z sits down with longtime friend, producer, and director Rick Rubin for an intimate reflection on his storied career, revisiting the music together and unpacking his work and life through a shared listening and illuminating conversation. Featuring many of JAY-Z’s iconic tracks and album cuts, including ’99 Problems,’ ‘Brooklyn’s Finest,’ and ‘4:44,’ the eight-episode series offers a deeply revealing portrait of the artist and his work, exploring the influences and inspiration that shaped both the man and his music.”
Check out the JAŸ-Z in 8 trailer below.
What do we see in the trailer for JAY-Z in 8?
The trailer highlights candid conversations between the legendary rapper and Rick Rubin. In the opening shot, JAY-Z delivers his iconic line, “Allow me to reintroduce myself; my name is Hov,” before reflecting on how he became obsessed with writing at just nine years old. The 56-year-old hip-hop icon also elaborates on rap’s irresistible underdog energy and the true potential of the genre.
JAŸ-Z in 8 marks Rick Rubin’s directorial debut for a documentary series. Rubin also serves as executive producer alongside Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter and actor Daniel Kaluuya.
Across the eight episodes, JAY-Z breaks down tracks from eight pivotal projects. The double-episode series premiere will highlight songs including “Intro,” “Meet the Parents,” “Can’t Knock the Hustle,” and “What More Can I Say.” Subsequent episodes will explore iconic tracks such as “Brooklyn’s Finest,” “4:44,” “Can I Live,” “Politics as Usual,” “99 Problems,” “Dead Presidents II,” “Public Service Announcement (Interlude),” “The Story of O.J.,” and “No Church in the Wild.”
The docuseries will release two episodes weekly, culminating in a double-episode finale on October 9, 2026.