When Oprah makes a decision, she tends to go bigger than anyone before her. For her newest venture, Oprah introduced the New Year with a new television network, OWN, that features round-the-clock programming. The station kicked off with a brand new show called 'Master Class' that focuses on various inspirational people and their rise to success. The first 'Master Class' guest? Well, it was none other than Jay-Z.

The program finds both Oprah and Hov back in the Marcy Projects as the A-list rapper and entrepreneur shows the host around his childhood haunts and recounts stories of his gritty, urban upbringing. Another reason we love him: Jigga says his mom bought him his first boombox. The show demonstrates how Jay broke into the rap game and then eventually used his success as leverage to enter an exclusive socialite society that's usually reserved for politicians, heads of international banks and other people of such stature.

Rather than just a simple biography, the program also focuses on tangible lessons that viewers can learn and implement from the subjects' lives. If you seek a journey to social prominence, Jay-Z is certainly not a bad model to follow on the way up. You can watch the full episode here or below.

Future episodes of 'Master Class' will feature poet Maya Angelou, iconic actor Sidney Poitier and media-maven Diane Sawyer.



Watch Jay-Z on 'Master Class'

More From TheBoombox