Jay-Z’s New YouTube Channel: Top 10 Facts You Need to Know

He’s a business, man. And launching a new YouTube channel is just the latest venture for hip-hop’s most accomplished entrepreneur. Here’s what you should know about Jay-Z’s new franchise.

1. It’s Called ‘Life+Times’

jay-z youtube channel

That pretty much sums up the whole universe, of which Jay-Z is the ruler. So it’s an appropriate name for his new YouTube channel.

2. It Launches at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, October 6

3. It Kicks Off with His Concert

jay-z new youtube channel barclays

The new channel will live-stream the last of Jay-Z’s eight sold-out concerts at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

4. It’s a Collaboration with IconicTV

jay-z new youtube channel iconic tv

IconicTV founder Michael Hirschorn described the channel’s aspirations to USA Today:

We’re approaching this channel and programming it, not at the level of an MTV or a BET — at least, not yet — but really programming it as a real channel that will have regular content, some featuring him, some under his creative direction, but that when he wants to reach his audience, he’s no longer going to have to go through an intermediary to get to that audience.

5. It’s Been a Busy Year for Jay-Z

Jay z new youtube channel blue ivy

His daughter was born, he helped move the Nets to Brooklyn, he opened the Barclays Center, he’s funding Obama’s re-election campaign, and now he’s launching his own TV channel.

6. The Channel is an Offshoot of His Blog

jay-z new youtube channel blog

The channel takes the name of his personal blog/website, Lifeandtimes.com.

7. He Joins a New Wave of Stars Pushing Digital Content
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ynPgHHI7oo&feature=plcp
Jay-Z is the latest megastar to wade into the surging waters of web-only content. Tom Hanks just launched Electric City on Yahoo, Jerry Seinfeld has Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee on Crackle, and Shaq has a new comedy channel on YouTube.

8. It Will Host a Show About the Nets

jay z youtube channel nets

The channel will be home to a new documentary series about the Brooklyn Nets, called The Road to Brooklyn. Sweet, Chris Humphries is back on reality TV!

9. It Will Also Host a Show About this Hot Chick (on right)

jay z new youtube channel jourdan dunn

Well Dunn, another reality program, will tag along with insanely sexy British supermodel Jourdan Dunn as she gets dressed and undressed and does whatever else she does.

10. This is the Future of YouTube


More than 100 original channels have launched on YouTube in the past 12 months. It’s just the beginning of a new era.