Premiering on HBO on September 18, the show’s first two episodes deliver on the promise of unprecedented access to a particularly introspective Jaÿ-Z
Premiering on HBO on September 18, the show’s first two episodes deliver on the promise of unprecedented access to a particularly introspective Jaÿ-Z. A barefoot Rubin stands in for the audience as Jaÿ-Z goes lyric by lyric—sometimes word by word—through songs from his catalog, including “Can’t Knock the Hustle,” “Brooklyn’s Finest,” “4:44,” “99 Problems,” “The Story of O.J.,” “Family Feud,” and “Legacy.” The pair goes deep on Jaÿ-Z’s life, digging into his childhood growing up in the Marcy Houses; his relationship with his mother, Gloria Carter; and even 4:44, his album detailing a rocky patch in his marriage to Beyoncé.
After the screening, the party continued for those lucky enough to have a blue sticker on their ticket. (A blue sticker for Jaÿ-Z and Beyoncé’s eldest daughter, Blue Ivy, perhaps?) Inside the private after-party, model Winnie Harlow graciously posed for photos with NYPD officers who were working the event. By this point, the 20-piece orchestra had been replaced by a single DJ. A solo, smiling Jaÿ-Z sipped Champagne by the DJ booth and greeted scores of adoring fans and friends, such as Dupri, Hamptons White Party thrower Michael Rubin, and billionaire Robert Kraft, who wore tennis shoes even though the event was black-tie.
“It’s always insightful to get inside the creative process, no matter who it is,” Neil deGrasse Tyson told Vanity Fair at the after-party. The astrophysicist and writer attended the Jaÿ-Z in 8 premiere with his son, Travis, and was bowled over by the show. When asked if he was interested in watching Alex Gibney’s nearly four-hour Elon Musk documentary—another novel project that digs into a singular mind—Tyson demurred. “I don’t know,” he said. “You’ll have to call me and find out.”
Literal stars twinkled over a large infinity sign—which, of course, looked like the numeral 8 turned on its side. As I left for the night, there were still hordes of fans waiting outside Lincoln Center to get a glimpse of the night’s attendees. Grammy Award–winning R&B artist SZA was among them, posing with screaming teenagers in front of their iPhones. “Took a long vacation / No makeup, just Jaÿ-Z,” sings SZA on her SOS track “Nobody Gets Me.” That song title may be true—but now, after watching Jaÿ-Z in 8, SZA might get Jaÿ-Z a bit more.
