Gayle King spent three hours interviewing the historically private rapper and mogul Jay-Z for a primetime, hour-long special that will air on Nov. 14 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT). The interview, dubbed “Jay-Z And Gayle King: Brooklyn’s Own,” will follow the series premiere of “NCIS: Sydney” on the CBS Television Network and also stream on Paramount+.
Jay-Z spoke with King about the displays of his three-decade career in celebration of his new Book of HOV exhibit at the Brooklyn Library. He touched on growing up in the Marcy Houses in Brooklyn, which have now turned into de facto tourist locations, and opened up about his business and musical ventures.
“I think what matters most is, today, is, being a beacon and helping out … my culture,” Jay-Z states in one clip. “People of color. I think I pull the most satisfaction from that. Like making music earlier was, like – my first love. I could sit there for hours. It consumed me. Just finding words and figuring out words and how to say this and different ways to say that and different pockets and melodies and how to write this song… That consumed me. That’s why my pace was so fast. I had so much material … And I think now, you know, the idea of, of taking that platform and, you know, reproducing it for others or doing something like Reform … I think I derive the most joy from that.”
Pieces of the interview aired in two parts on CBS in late October, though this special includes never-before-seen moments from King’s interview with Jay-Z, as well as some archival footage of the performer talking with the late Bob Simon from 2002.
“He’s more than a musician, he’s a mogul,” King says in the trailer. “He’s more than a rapper, he’s a visionary.”
Watch a teaser from the interview below.
JAY-Z and Gayle King: Brooklyn's Own, Tuesday, 11/14 at 9/8c on CBS.
