The Bert Show – Vault: Interview – Jay-Z

Original Air Date: October 31, 2025
Podcast Host: The Bert Show Crew (from Q100 studios, Atlanta)

Episode Overview

In this throwback "Vault" episode, The Bert Show sits down with iconic rapper and mogul Jay-Z during a visit to Atlanta. The conversation blends reflections on Jay-Z’s upbringing in Brooklyn, his musical legacy, brush with international celebrity culture, and his thoughts on fame, success, and musical evolution. With humor and openness, Jay-Z shares intimate stories about his origins, high-profile friendships, and creative process, making this a standout interview for fans and newcomers alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jay-Z’s Connection to Atlanta

[02:35]

• Jay-Z's fondness for Atlanta:
  • "Women, women and more women." (Jay-Z, 02:38)
  • Describes Atlanta as a city he’s visited for years and feels at home in.

Life Growing Up in the Marcy Projects

[03:29]

• Reflection on his roots:
  • “From where I come from... You gotta say, I'm from Marcy Projects. Brooklyn, New York is like the hood... It’s so many different personalities that you gotta attend with every day. And everyone's so close.” (Jay-Z, 03:29–04:35)
  • Vivid description of overcrowding, tension, and daily struggles in his formative environment.
• Motivation to leave:
  • “Every day is a test... That's too much tension for a person to live with their whole life.” (Jay-Z, 03:47)

Returning Home After Success

[04:53]

• Visited his old building for a “60 Minutes” film piece; touched when residents had planted his name in the garden.
  • “They had my name... in the grass. I think that was cool.” (Jay-Z, 04:58)

Principals for a Day and School Ties

[05:07]

• Role Model Moments:
  • In Atlanta as “principal for the day” at a local school: “Now I'm somebody's principal, could you believe that?” (Jay-Z, 05:10)
• High School Connections:
  • Attended school with Biggie and Busta Rhymes: “Me and Big and Busta Rhymes went to the same high school.” (Jay-Z, 05:18)

Career Reflections: Longevity & The “Black Album” Plan

[05:37]

• Thinking about retirement:
  • “Whenever you hear the Black Album is out, that's... when is the last one. I want to rap it out. That's the name of the last album.” (Jay-Z, 05:42)
• Creative vision for his final work:
  • “No artwork, just an album. Just blank... The last one is going to be just because I wanted to make it. Like, if you hear some Sambo in there, some calypso, anything that I want to do, I'm going to just do it. I ain't going to worry about it.” (Jay-Z, 05:52–06:13)

Life at the Top: Vacations, Celebrity Circles, and Surreal Moments

[06:29 – 08:46]

• First-ever vacation:
  • “I needed that one though. I went to south of France. Matter of fact, I landed in Rome. I took a helicopter to Capri... London for Wimbledon... I met Bono over in London, him and Quincy Jones...” (Jay-Z, 06:29–06:44)
• Mind-blowing celebrity encounters:
  • Tells a humorous story about Bono and exclusive parties:
    • “It's a gate to get in his town, into Bonneville. You understand what I'm saying, Bono? Town like... We had to put a thing just to drive down Main Street.” (Jay-Z, 07:17)
• Yacht parties with royalty:
  • On witnessing extreme wealth:
    • “It's the world's biggest bottle of Cristal ever... 300 foot yacht. It had a discotheque on the top... You just start to see different levels. Like, their money is different. They ain't not concerned with rims on the car. Boats. 300 foot yachts, homie.” (Jay-Z, 08:19–08:59)
• Reflecting on surreal experiences:
  • “I actually stayed up the first night... I seen the sun come up. I was just sitting on the back of the boat, drinking wine. Like, what am I doing here?” (Jay-Z, 09:05)

Discussion on Music: The Blueprint Legacy

[09:21 – 11:38]

• Album Release Timing:
  • Discusses the curious timing of the original “Blueprint” album, which released on 9/11:
    • “You're thinking... the last thing on people's minds here is buying CDs. And sure enough, you still sold about a half a million.” (Host, 09:32–09:39)
• Critical Acclaim:
  • Reference to media praise:
    • “With Blueprint, he became arguably the greatest living rapper.” (Host quoting AJC, 09:47; Jay-Z responds, “Wow. Yeah. Appreciate that.” 09:57)
• Jay-Z’s artist mindset:
  • “All rappers believe they're the greatest rapper. We arrogant... You have to be cocky. You need an edge.” (Jay-Z, 10:05)
• Shifts in Musical Style and Experimentation:
  • “I just wanted to go with so many different directions on this one [Blueprint 2]. It's hard to make it cohesive. When you got Lenny Kravitz on one track and Mop on the next one...” (Jay-Z, 11:14)
• Collaborating with Lenny Kravitz:
  • “He does everything. He writes, produces, arranges, and plays every instrument on all his albums. I had to work with him.” (Jay-Z, 10:40)

Dealing With Tough Feedback and Creative Control

[11:38–12:02]

• Jay-Z addresses having “tough love” advisors:
  • “Somebody told me Hard Knock Life was... the worst song he ever heard. Good thing I ain't listened to him.” (Jay-Z, 11:45)
• Host: “What's the harshest...?” Jay-Z: “The worst song he's ever heard?” (12:02)

Episode Wrap

[12:12]

• Host thanks Jay-Z for coming: “Welcome back to Atlanta. Thanks for stopping by... Whenever you're in town, please come on back.”
• Jay-Z: “My man.”
• They end the segment with appreciation and warmth.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On his environment in Marcy Projects:
  “It's so many different personalities that you gotta attend with every day... It's six floors and four families on each floor. And it's three buildings that's connected, and those three buildings is about 100 of them... so many people on top of each other.”
  — Jay-Z (04:35)

• On surreal success:
  “I actually stayed up the first night I got the boat... I seen the sun come up. I was just sitting on the back of the boat drinking wine. Like, what am I doing here?”
  — Jay-Z (09:05)

• On the competitive edge in rap:
  “I think all rappers believe they're the greatest rapper. We arrogant, like, you know, as far as recording, like, you know, in real life, I'm just a cool, regular person. But when I'm recording... you need an edge.”
  — Jay-Z (10:05)

• On advice he ignored:
  “Somebody told me Hard Knock Life was the worst song he ever heard. Good thing I ain’t listened to him.”
  — Jay-Z (11:45)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:16] – Interview with Jay-Z begins
• [03:29] – Jay-Z reflects on life in the Marcy Projects
• [04:53] – On returning home for a “60 Minutes” segment
• [05:10] – Discussing principal-for-a-day role & school days with hip-hop legends
• [05:42] – Talks about “The Black Album” and thoughts on retirement
• [06:29] – Describes his first real vacation, celebrity encounters (Bono, Quincy Jones)
• [08:19] – Yacht party stories and culture shock at extreme wealth
• [09:21] – The challenge of releasing the “Blueprint” album on 9/11
• [10:05] – Jay-Z explains the rapper’s mindset and competitive spirit
• [11:14] – Musical diversity in “Blueprint 2,” collaboration with Lenny Kravitz
• [11:45] – On creative control and ignoring harsh criticism
• [12:12] – Closing thanks and end of the interview

Tone & Style

The conversation is casual, warm, humorous, and authentic. Jay-Z mixes humility with trademark confidence, sharing self-deprecating stories alongside insightful looks at hip-hop, fame, and resilience. The Bert Show crew keeps a lively back-and-forth while giving Jay-Z plenty of space to reflect and entertain.

This episode is a revealing window into Jay-Z’s journey from Brooklyn’s projects to global stardom, filled with light-hearted anecdotes, moments of gratitude, and a testament to resilience and artistic vision. Perfect for listeners craving both story and substance from one of hip hop’s greats.