‘JAŸ-Z in 8’ Review: Rick Rubin’s Handsomely Made HBO Docuseries Impresses and Exasperates in Equal Measure

Let’s keep this simple: Rick Rubin ‘s new eight-part HBO docuseries JAŸ-Z in 8 will be essential viewing for passionate fans of Shawn “ Jay-Z ” Carter, who is also an executive producer on the series.

For general appreciators, the series’ excesses and redundancies are likely to be frustrating, as are its frequent lack of focus and general sense of over-sanitization. But there’s still enough good stuff here to make it worthwhile, especially if you watch it on a weekly basis. (I put myself in the “appreciator” category. I’m a fan of his prodigious output up to The Black Album . Then… less so.) Related Stories TV Rafe Spall to Play Arthur Weasley in Season 2 of HBO's 'Harry Potter' Series TV Apple TV Reigns at Emmys With 'Widow's Bay' and 'Pluribus' Breakthroughs JAŸ-Z in 8 The Bottom Line Filled with great moments and frustrating choices. Airdate: 8 p.m. Friday, September 18 (HBO) Stars: Jay-Z, Rick Rubin Director: Rick Rubin

And if you aren’t a fan at all? Don’t watch! That’s fine. Nothing’s been lost here.

Oh, and if you’re allergic to irritating typographical choices, definitely steer clear of JAŸ-Z in 8 , which should more accurately be reproduced as JAŸ-Z in ∞ ; honestly, the line has to be drawn somewhere, no matter HOV’s personal preferences.

Think of JAŸ-Z in 8 as a companion piece to the 2021 docuseries McCartney 3, 2, 1 , in which Rubin and Paul McCartney discussed the former Beatles and Wings legend’s varied musical career for director Zachary Heinzerling. McCartney 3, 2, 1 wasn’t exclusively aimed at music nerds, but a certain measure of nerdiness was ideal for appreciating the six-episode deep dive, which featured thorough lyrical analysis and ruminations on a unique journey.