Jay-Z says Beyoncé is an underrated songwriter
Jay-Z says Beyoncé is an underrated songwriter
Caché McClay, USA TODAY NETWORKTue, April 28, 2026 at 5:44 PM UTC
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Jay-Z says his thirteenth studio album "4:44" was the most difficult project he's ever written. He said it during a recent interview with The New York Times, opening up about his songwriting process and the creation of some of his biggest hits.
The Grammy-winning rapper was included in the New York Times Magazine's recent list of 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters, compiled from a poll of more than 250 music industry figures along with input from six Times critics. In connection with the list, Jay-Z met with critic Jody Rosen in Los Angeles to discuss the inspiration behind some of his most famous songs, the creative challenges he sets for himself, and how he has sustained a music career spanning more than three decades.
During the interview, the music titan said "'4:44' was the toughest thing I had to write—and not lyrically, not the greatest metaphors I've ever created. But the vulnerability, the honesty, the transparency—that's hard. That's a difficult thing."
Jay-Z looks on prior to the start of Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.
He emphasized that opening up on difficult topics, such how his children are going to feel, made it the most difficult album to write.
On "4:44," released on June 30, 2017, through his label Roc Nation, Jay-Z touches on a wide range of topics such as hip-hop culture, his family, marriage, stereotypes, racism and more. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart—marking his 14th chart-topping release. It was widely praised by critics for its emotional depth and vulnerability.
Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, also discussed his early writing process when he wrote rhymes in a big green notebook, penning his debut studio album "Reasonable Doubt" (1996), as well as working with rap legends such as late rapper The Notorious B.I.G.
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In the interview, he also talked about his wife, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. He called her an underrated songwriter.
"I think she likes songwriting, and she loves producing," he said, adding what she does is "unbelievable." However, he admitted he never asked her the question about songwriting directly.
Jay-Z is set to make a major return to the stage this summer, in his hometown, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his debut album on July 10. He'll deliver a 25th anniversary concert for his 2001 album, "The Blueprint," on July 11. He also added an additional "extra innings show" anniversary concert scheduled on July 12 due to high demand for the first two shows.
Prior to the anniversary concerts, the "99 Problems" rapper, who recently changed the styling of his name to Jaÿ-Z to mirror his 1996 debut album "Reasonable Doubt," is set to take the stage with The Roots at the two-day Roots Picnic festival in Philadelphia on May 30 and May 31.
He last took the stage for surprise performances on Beyoncé's record-breaking Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour, which wrapped July 2025 in Las Vegas.Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Jay-Z on his songwriting secrets and Beyoncé's unique talent
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
