Jay-Z Breaks Down the Stories Behind His Most Famous Songs | UNW

The New York Times Magazine polled more than 250 music insiders and gathered six Times critics to choose the 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters. One artist who made the list was Jay-Z. The critic Jody Rosen met with Jay-Z in Los Angeles to talk about his approach to rhythm, the stories behind his famous songs, the writing challenges he sets for himself and how he has sustained a hip-hop career for more than three decades.

Interview by Jody Rosen
Directed by Joshua Charow

Video Credits
Camera Operator: Daniel Hollis Diamond
Sound Mixer: Tessa Murphy
Gaffer: Michael Tellup
Editor: Abraham Howard
Colorist: Stephen Derluguian
Post Sound Mixer: Bobb Barito

Archival Image Credits
Jay-Z (1988): Timothy White; Jay-Z (2008): Michael Falco for The New York Times; Videos: YouTube