Beyoncé joins JAY-Z for star-studded premiere of his new HBO documentary series
TheGrio...
“JAY-Z IN 8” looks back at the rapper’s life, music and creative evolution three decades after his debut album.
JAY-Z, Beyoncé, Tina Knowles and some of hip-hop’s biggest names popped out on Sunday for the world premiere of JAY-Z’s new HBO documentary series, “JAY-Z IN 8”. Held in New York’s Metropolitan Opera House, the black-tie premiere brought out Fat Joe, DJ Khaled, Yo Gotti, Charlamagne tha God, Winnie Harlow and Gunna, among others.
As reported by USA Today, Beyoncé and her mother, Tina Knowles, attended the screening. However, neither walked the red carpet. The eight-part series puts JAY-Z in conversation with longtime friend and producer Rick Rubin, who also directed the project. Together, they revisit the rapper’s music, lyrics, childhood, creative process and the experiences that shaped his career.
The series arrives as JAY-Z marks 30 years since the release of his 1996 debut album, “Reasonable Doubt“. In the trailer, JAY-Z recalls discovering his obsession with writing as a child and describes the daily discipline that eventually became central to his career.
The documentary uses his music as a starting point for conversations about his life and evolution as an artist.The series explores songs spanning his catalog, including “Can’t Knock the Hustle,” “Brooklyn’s Finest,” “4:44,” “99 Problems,” “The Story of O.J.,” “Family Feud” and “Legacy.”
“JAY-Z IN 8” arrives during a major anniversary period for the Brooklyn-born rapper. JAY-Z has spent 2026 celebrating three decades since the release of his debut album, “Reasonable Doubt,” including three sold-out July shows at New York’s Yankee Stadium in The Bronx.
He recently performed in Paris as part of his concert celebrations, bringing Pharrell Williams and Justin Timberlake onto the stage. The documentary gives him an opportunity to look back at that journey through extended conversations with Rubin, whose production history with JAY-Z includes “99 Problems.”
Rubin’s involvement also gives the series a creative perspective beyond a conventional career retrospective. The episodes use individual songs to explore how JAY-Z’s writing, experiences and worldview developed over time.
The first two episodes of “JAY-Z IN 8” premiere Sept. 18 on HBO and HBO Max. Two new episodes air each Friday through Oct. 9.