Story time. A man drifts away from his family after his brother is killed. His estranged wife struggles to raise four kids alone. Their youngest son turns to the streets. A mix of genius and luck propels him from the jaws of death to superstar status. What can we learn from the life and times of Shawn Carter?

Warning: This episode contains some very strong language, language which may offend and adult themes.

Credits:

Written by George the Poet

With music from:

Nines - NIC (feat. Tiggs Da Author)

All original music is written by Benbrick and recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra.

We had the following guests:

The former DMC world champion DJ Blakey scratching those Jay-Z samples, and Sandra Makumbi.

Thank you to:

My team Sandra, Vidhu, and Birungi. Dylan Haskins and the team at BBC Sounds, BBC Concert Orchestra, Jay-Z's Mum, Ms Lowden, Torrie Maas, DJ Clark Kent speaking on DJ Vlad, Kareem Burke talking on the Reasonable Doubt Documentary, Andrew Marr, Evan Rogers, Tom Kelly & Adam Miller, my nephews.

Archive:

The clip of Jay-Z in the restaurant at 12:10 is taken from the Jay-Z record Only A Customer.

There are various clips between 15:12 and 15:27 introducing Jay-Z and these are taken from CNN’s Van Jones Show, Stephen A. Smith on ESPN, Jay-Z on Conan O’Brien, Jay-Z’s appearance on 106 & Park, and Canada’s Breakfast Television.

The clips of Jay-Z’s mum Ms Gloria Carter used at 17:18 are taken from the Jay-Z record December 4Th.

The clips of Jay-Z’s teacher Renee Rosenblum-Lowden used at 18:11 are taken from the Brut Media video “Jay-Z Credits Teacher With His love of Language”.

The Jay-Z acapellas used at 18:03, 18:57, 19:46 are taken from the Jay-Z record Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)

The clip of DJ Clark Kent used at 20:21 is taken from the DJVlad show titled “Clark Kent on Introducing Biggie to Jay Z, Biggie Best Rapper but Jay Z Best MC".

The clip of Kareem Burke used at 23:06 is taken from the Tidal documentary Reasonable Doubt.

The clip of Jay-Z used at 27:04 is taken from the BBC Andrew Marr show.

Soundtrack:

Nines - NIC (feat. Tiggs Da Author)

Benbrick - Young Intro

Jay Z - My First Song [Benbrick Remake]

Benbrick - Young

Benbrick - Back to the kid

Benbrick - All Aboard

Benbrick - All Aboard

Benbrick - Damon

Lonnie Liston Smith - A Garden of Peace

Jay-Z - Dead Presidents

Benbrick - Back to the kid

Jay Z - December 4Th (Benbrick Remake)

Benbrick - Dec 4

Benbrick - Back to the kid

Benbrick - Rodolfo

Jay Z - My First Song [Benbrick Remake]

Benbrick - Roc

Benbrick - Back to the kid

Jay Z - My First Song [Benbrick Remake]

Jay Z - My First Song

Have You Heard George’s Podcast? is a George the Poet production for BBC Sounds.

Commissioning Executive for BBC: Dylan Haskins