Jay-Z Talks to Bill Maher About Life, Politics & Hip Hop

Jay-Z (older, wiser and ready to talk)

In the longest interview I’ve ever scene Jay-Z do on television, Jay-Z visited Real Time with Bill Maher on Friday for a casual conversation with Maher in which everything seemed to be “on the table” — from his early career, to the secret behind his longevity, to the state of hip hop to politics and everything in between.

One thing is abundantly clear from the interview: Bill Maher is a blushing fan. Usually, this would make for a syrupy sweet interview where watching the interview fawn over the guest would be barely tolerable (almost to the point of nausea). But Maher (@billmaher) manages to strike a fine, delicate line between showing Jay-Z (@jayzcalling) his obvious admiration (and clear a knowledge of the man and his music) and asking a few questions that, while not exactly “hard-hitting”, at least attempts to place some perspective on a lot of the hypocrisy in music on the whole and hip-hop in particular (like the fact that it has reached its limits of realness and needs to find new growth immediately if it’s going to survive).

Jay-Z (old school)

What is also clear from this interview is Jay-Z’s sharp wit, fierce intelligence and surprising sense of humor. He manages to not only quickly return Maher’s jokes and off-color references (particularly when it comes to women – which they both giggle about like two school boys) but he manages to throw Maher come-backs that actually throw him for a moment (there were actual expressions of confusion on Maher’s face numerous times before Jay-Z’s words settled into his brain cells and, finally, began to make sense — you can tell he appreciated the challenge). Jay-Z’s candor and the ease with which he answers the questions (clearly, at this age, having little to hide and little to prove – beyond still being able to sell CDs) is refreshing and endearing.

The most surprising (and dare I say touching) part of the interview comes when Maher presents Jay Z with a special gift made just for him: a leather-bound book featuring all of his published lyrics (on the cover of the book is a a big letter “B” signifying “Brooklyn” – Jay-Z’s hometown).

Bill Maher finds his comfort zone

This interview made me remember what I like about Maher (something that can easily be forgotten when he goes off on his occasional tirades against “stupid Americans” – as he says) and it offered unbelievable clarity into the brilliance behind Jay Z’s 20-year career and musical empire that shows no signs of crumbling any time soon.

This interview is a brilliant example of the art of talk and giving a great interview. Both men seem at once at ease with each other yet they are clearly moments of one-upmanship between the two (respectfully). By now, it’s no secret that Maher and Jay-Z have not only shared a love of hip hop, but they’ve been with the same woman. Karrine Steffans (@karrinesteffans) (former video model and author of several books about her sexual exploitations in hip hop) slept with both men and mentioned both in her book. There is a wicked joke that transpires between Maher and Ja- Z that is more than a nod to Maher’s long-standing reputation for dating black women (particularly video… (cough) models).

Below is the entire interview in three parts and as a bonus, Jay-Z’s classic video for Dead Presidents (with scenes of Brooklyn and the fallen Twin Towers back when they stood tall over New York City). Jay-Z’s new CD will be released on September 11.