Exclusive: Jay-Z Breaks His Silence—“We Played Enough Defense, 2026 is All Offense”

“It’s been a minute,” says Jay-Z as he sits across from GQ’s Frazier Tharpe.

Thirty years on from his debut album—a milestone that will hit with the _Reasonable Doubt_ anniversary in June—Jay-Z, now 56, is more influential than ever before. But the journey hasn’t been without controversy, criticism, and challenges—most recently in the form of a civil lawsuit brought against him at the tail end of 2024.

The self-made billionaire (touching three times over) reflects on the tidal wave of turmoil that rippled through 2025, which was punctuated by the unwavering support of his wife, Beyoncé, alongside their tight-knit family. The pair also cover the evolution of hip-hop and Jay’s thoughts on the Kendrick vs. Drake beef, alongside him quarterbacking the Super Bowl’s halftime show within the kaleidoscopic nature of the zeitgeist.

Three decades into the game, Shawn Carter reintroduces himself. This is the GQ Video Cover Story with Jay-Z.

#JayZ #ShawnCarter #GQ

*Credits:*
Director: Nick Collett
Director of Photography: Carter Ross; AJ Young
Editor: Brady Jackson
Talent: Jay-Z; Frazier Tharpe
Producer: Sam Dennis
Senior Producer: Michael Beckert
Creative Producer: Kristen DeVore
Line Producer: Jen Santos
Production Manager: Evie Roop
Talent Booker: Dana Mathews
Camera Operator: AJ Young; Taylor Frontier; Brooke Mueller; Mike Maliwanag
Assistant Camera: Adam Lee; Ethan Smith; Molly White
Gaffer: Shay Eberle-Gunst
Grip: Dominik Czaczyk
DIT: Lauren Worona
Sound Mixer: Glo Hernandez
Production Assistant: Fernando Barajas; Hollie Ortiz; Hope Millner
Groomer: Hee Soo Kwon
Hairstylist: Nakia Rachon
Post Production Supervisor: Jess Dunn
Supervising Editor: Rob Lombardi
Assistant Editor: Justin Symonds

Still haven’t subscribed to GQ on YouTube? ►► http://bit.ly/2iij5wt
Subscribe to GQ magazine and get rare swag: https://bit.ly/2xNBH3i
Join the GQ Discord to talk men's fashion, watches, and more: https://discord.gg/gqmagazine

ABOUT GQ
For more than 50 years, GQ has been the premier men’s magazine, providing definitive coverage of style, culture, politics and more. In that tradition, GQ’s video channel covers every part of a man’s life, from entertainment and sports to fashion and grooming advice. Welcome to the modern guide to style advice, dating tips, celebrity videos, music, sports and more.

https://www.youtube.com/user/GQVideos