Jay-Z
Jay-Z artist page: interviews, features and/or performances archived at NPR Music
Interviews & Profiles
May 10, 2013 Between the Jazz Age and the hip-hop era, says music supervisor Anton Monsted, is a sliding door.
November 16, 2010 The rapper and record mogul discusses his childhood and the stories behind his most famous songs.
July 22, 2009 Jay-Z, like the U.S., is the dominant force, but has a lot to lose if he engages with a challenger.
October 15, 2008 Urban desi blends South Asian pop culture and American hip-hop.
April 11, 2008 A reported $150 million deal between the rap mogul and Live Nation is nothing if not high-stakes.
Discover Songs
December 31, 2009 Def Jam's box set contains some of the most amazing music released since the dawn of hip-hop.
November 18, 2009 The summer jam of 2007 can be summarized in seven syllables: "ella, ella, ay, ay, ay."
November 16, 2009 Our 50 most important recordings of the decade continues, from Kelly Clarkson to Jay-Z.
October 15, 2008 Urban desi blends South Asian pop culture and American hip-hop.
February 22, 2007 British singer Lily Allen writes infectious, bouncing pop music with wickedly biting lyrics. Alr...
News
August 12, 2011 We start listening and try to make sense of the year's most ambitious hip-hop release.
November 29, 2010 Sales and chart numbers, new reviews, and other news you may have missed while you were eating.
October 15, 2010 What is a song's "hook?" It's that part that sticks in your mind -- whether you want it to or not.
April 11, 2008 A reported $150 million deal between the rap mogul and Live Nation is nothing if not high-stakes.
December 17, 2007 Kanye West, Arcade Fire and Jay-Z place well in the magazine's list of 2007's top 50 records.
November 6, 2007 A look at new album releases from Jay-Z, Tokyo Police Club and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Reviews
August 9, 2011 Watch the Throne is one of the year's most anticipated albums. But does it live up to the hype?
September 9, 2009 Thirteen years after the release of his first album, Jay-Z proves he's still standing and striving.
December 17, 2007 Kanye West, Arcade Fire and Jay-Z place well in the magazine's list of 2007's top 50 records.
November 6, 2007 A look at new album releases from Jay-Z, Tokyo Police Club and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
December 6, 2006 Kingdom Come may speak more to older listeners than to college students.
November 21, 2006 Jay-Z's new album, Kingdom Come, is his first since he announced his "retirement."
More Stories
February 6, 2012 Ever feel guilty about not appreciating music you know you should?
December 5, 2011 The list of our 50 favorite albums includes Kanye West And Jay-Z and more artists from K to R.
Partner Content from KUT
July 11, 2011 Hear an eclectic mix of music born and raised in the Lone Star State.
Partner Content from KEXP
December 24, 2007 The best hip-hop CDs of 2007 helped push the boundaries of the genre.
