Jay-Z in 8 review – the rapper’s interminable interview show should have been a podcast

Published 1w ago · Updated 1w ago

Covered in 2 countries

AI summary41s readMixed

While rich in hip-hop history, the unstructured interview series on Mubi struggles with its meandering format.

Rick Rubin has released an eight-part interview docuseries titled Jay-Z in 8 on Mubi, featuring extensive conversations with the iconic rapper reflecting on his career. Directed by Rubin in black and white, the freeform series explores the artist's upbringing in Brooklyn and his three decades in the music industry. However, critics argue that the unstructured format often feels meandering and would have functioned better as an audio podcast.

The docuseries is distributed through the streaming platform Mubi.
Rick Rubin directed the project and conducted all the interviews himself.
The episodes were filmed entirely in a black-and-white visual style.
Discussion topics include early collaborators like Biggie and Jaz-O alongside memories of the Marcy Projects.

By the numbers

8episodes in the docuseries

30years in music celebrated by the artist

Why it matters

Docuseries capturing rare, in-depth reflections from major musical figures offer unprecedented archival value for hip-hop history, though stylistic execution often divides critics.

What outlets agree on

The outlets report on the release of an eight-part interview documentary series titled Jay-Z in 8, featuring conversations between Rick Rubin and the rapper.

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In this story

Jay-ZRick RubinJay-Z in 8Mubi

Covered by 2 outlets

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