CBS's primetime special "JAY-Z and Gayle King: Brooklyn's Own", which debuted on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, featured a wide-ranging interview with hip-hop star, business mogul and activist JAY-Z.
The hour-long special, hosted by "CBS Mornings" Gayle King, is also streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers.). The special contained portions of King's recent three-hour interview with JAY-Z at the Brooklyn Public Library, where a new exhibit explores his life and legacy.
"CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King anchors the broadcast, which featured portions of her recent three-hour interview with JAY-Z at the Brooklyn Public Library, where a new exhibit explores his life and legacy. In the interview, JAY-Z — born Shawn Corey Carter — talks with King about growing up in the Marcy Houses in Brooklyn, and how some difficult experiences shaped his early life. The special also features footage from a 2002 "60 Minutes II" interview, where viewers will see a younger JAY-Z on the cusp of becoming the globally influential figure he is today.
Says King: "He's more than a musician, he's a mogul. He's more than a rapper, he's a visionary." JAY-Z has earned 24 Grammy Awards and a Peabody Award, and has investments worth millions of dollars and is a major proponent of criminal justice reform. Said Jay: "I think what matters most is, today, is, being a beacon and helping out … my culture. 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. 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."
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