Jay-Z opens up on feeling 'cringe' about family watching 'Jay-Z in 8'

Jay-Z is bracing for a little family embarrassment ahead of the premiere of his new eight-part HBO documentary series, Jay-Z in 8. 

Speaking to E! News at the show's world premiere in New York City on September 13, the rapper admitted he's both excited and a bit shy about having his wife, Beyoncé, and their three children, Blue Ivy, 14, and 9-year-old twins Rumi and Sir, watch the deeply personal project. 

"I'm really excited," he said. "They know these things. We talk all the time. It'll be fascinating to see on a big screen and at times, I know it'll be, like, cringe." 

He added, "You know, when you put yourself out there like that, you get embarrassed but it's honest, and it's a beautiful piece. So, I'm very proud of it."

The docuseries, which premieres on HBO and Max on September 18, finds Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, sitting down with legendary producer Rick Rubin to reflect on his life and 30-year music career. 

The release lands in the middle of his ongoing Jay-Z 30 Tour, an eight-show run that kicked off in his native New York. 

His family has already shown up in a big way for that tour, both Beyoncé and Blue Ivy made surprise appearances onstage during his July 10 Yankee Stadium show, with Beyoncé giving him a kiss before exiting the stage and telling him, "I love you so much."

Separately, speaking with Extra TV at the same premiere, Jay-Z opened up about the nerves that come with watching Blue Ivy step further into the spotlight herself. 

Blue has become an increasingly prominent public figure in her own right, serving as a principal dancer on both her mother's Renaissance and Cowboy Carter tours, becoming one of the youngest Grammy winners in history, making her Met Gala debut this year, and even playing piano during her father's recent Yankee Stadium shows. 

"I'm more nervous for her than I am for myself," Jay-Z said, "but she's put in the work and she's a student." He also gushed over her musical talent, noting she plays entirely by ear. 

"Blue is a crazy pianist, but she won't let us get her a teacher. She doesn't want it to be a job. But she has perfect pitch. If she hears a song, she'll be like 'Play it again' and then she'll teach herself." 

He added, "That's just talent, she doesn't work at that. She worked at this, and it makes me proud that she fought for something that she really wanted to do. I don't think we're going to be able to get her off that stage now."