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 of the artists who made the list was Jay-Z. The critic Jody Rosen met with @jayzslifeandtimes 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.
See the full list of 30 greatest American songwriters here:
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A Man and yes a Black Man admitting how he did or didn't know how to do things to make him successful and yet his God given Talent and God Blessed Ability gave him unlimited skills to add to others as well as his own life with up and downs and pains of success as well as failure to mature him into His Now Placement of History in a Industry that destroyed so many other Great Performers and Musicians. I have a Great appreciation for this young man and I never listen to rap music or Hip Hop on a constant as I guess my ear won't let me but this sit down gives me a better perspective of what they(Artist) want to convene and allow themselves the Freedom that exist in the Music Industry when you control your Art and not let the $#%@ J's run your life. That last part with the icons refers to them and we know who they are; from over the years were Black Artist and even white dudes and latins could get nothing cause of them(S#%@ J's) thought they were in charge of an Industry that broke away from their control. Plus I am so glad this brother is now Billionaire or is that a Trillionaire?
Jay cadence is Big Bone and Biggie feature imo
Bone say Big left the studio without recording, and it’s the same cadence Jay wrote for Dr Dre Now dayz with Dre and Em
There are no words… I'm utterly speechless. You are beyond the Stars❤❤❤
The artistic art form of the music with words ,similies and methopors finding the right adjectives and pronouns,verbs adverbs , telling a story realisticly or parodoxiy , with a present or a past feeling , with melodies to it , never gets old i,t's the epiphany of creating great materials ( music) 🎵🎶🎶
He is one of my greatest mentors.❤❤❤😊
I didn't realize Jay Z was so funny 🤣
🥉🥉🥉🥉
🇹🇿🤝🏽
1:56
Thanks for putting god first
Let's play the video of not made up a video if they made up a video is kind of like curiosity but I don't know what y'all meaning of a
Gaÿ-Z
Felt this one deep in my soul.
My Guy Hov 💰💰🗽🔥💯😂💨
Neat interview
I don't like him as a rapper, but he's been around since 1986. Biggie had no 'musical family' but had incredible musical instincts. better than you know who.
@THAT ONE
JAY Z THATS THE GREATEST
I hope he will go to back to not knowing what he's doing.
I’m starting to believe in that dinner with Jay-z or 500k dilemma
Legend
🙏💯
"Black and ugly as ever. However, I stay Gucci down to da socks"
JAY-Z SO GREAT ON POPCAST AND THE NEW YORK TIMES 2026 !!!!!
Mim before word is the best way to get a great melody. Michael Jackson said the same. Ask any extraordinary they say the same.
Thank you, Times (team). I appreciate it.
hip hop cancer
Blokes a genius
Jay-Z is honestly a master of communication. After listening to this in-depth interview, hearing him speak about his craft, and witnessing the respect and admiration he has for the peers who share his journey, I appreciate him even more—not just as an artist, but as a human being.
He has reached incredible heights of success while remaining true to himself throughout the process. This is an amazing interview that will undoubtedly stand the test of time.
I can listen to him, Kyambo (hip hop) and a few others discuss hip hop and their historical part of it all day. Great story tellers, intricate yet intriguing.
Lyrical exercise. Jay knows
NIce
It's cool to see how technical Jay thinks about making music. He's not just rapping. It's not a surprise though
This track deserves awards honestly.
wonder how many of these comments are Roc bots
He talking like he scared or nervous about somebody that's around and not on camera smdh
I LOVE MY DAD💎
Jay should have kept the locks
The Biggie “Jesus” opening line to “Only You” sounds more Jamaican to me than jazz. Great analogy tho
He speaking his truth 🔥🔥🔥🔥 growth is what we all tryimg to attain
His best rhymes aren't even his rhymes 😂
illuminati gat my mind soul and my body…ehhhh
Ive followed you thru my entire life and memorized every single lyric youve ever had. Bought a ticket to your NY ticket but now living in the west coast. Hook me up Sean
I don't like that this rhymebook is decomposing in a landfill somewhere or something
Wish he would’ve broke down dear summer
IT AMAZES ME TO WATCH MY FAVORITE RAP ARTIST REMAIN POSE IN HIS CRAFT AND CONTINUE TO MAKE THE BEST JUDGMENT IN GAINING SUCCESS. THE MAN WITH GROWN MAN BARS AND A UNIQUE WAY ON PAINTING A PICTURE. USING HIS EXPERIENCE IN LIFE TO HELP THE NEXT GENERATION MOVE IN THE BEST DIRECTION AS POSSIBLE.
Look more like a dreaded camel day after day
Looks like Ice Man convinced Jay Z to step out and have some fun! 😂😂😂
😂😂 no worry, you will be always king by billboards Lol😂
One of the best rap careers