It’s been a big week for Jay-Z: after being nominated for eight Grammy Awards and celebrating his 48th birthday, he’s given one of his most revealing interviews yet.

Speaking to the New York Times Style magazine, the 48-year-old talked about what it was like when Beyonce recorded Lemonade, an album largely focused on the fact he was unfaithful to her.

“We were using our art almost like a therapy session,” he said.

“And we started making music together … and then the music she was making at that time was further along. So, her album came out as opposed to the joint album that we were working on,” he added, seemingly confirming rumours they were working on a joint album at one point.

“Um, we still have a lot of that music. And this [their separate albums] is what it became. There was never a point where it was like, ‘I’m making this album.’ I was right there the entire time.”

Jay-Z also addresses the couple’s marital issue on his new album 4:44.

Asked if he and Beyonce found it difficult to her each other’s tracks, he agreed.

“Of course. And both very, very uncomfortable, but … the best place in the, you know, hurricane is like in the middle of it.

“We were sitting in the eye of that hurricane.”

Regretting that metaphor given the millions of people affected by hurricanes in North America and the Caribbean recently, he rephrased.

“The best place is right in the middle of the pain.

“And that’s where we were sitting. And it was uncomfortable. And we had a lot of conversations. You know. [I was] really proud of the music she made, and she was really proud of the art I released.”

“At the end of the day we really have a healthy respect for one another’s craft,” he said. “I think she’s amazing.”

It’s not the first time he’s admitted cheating on Beyonce, but in the interview he again touched on his infidelity.

“You have to survive. So you go into survival mode, and when you go into survival mode, what happens? You shut down all emotions. So, even with women, you gonna shut down emotionally, so you can’t connect. … In my case, like, it’s deep. And then all the things happen from there: infidelity,” he said.

Beyonce and Jay-Z overcame their marital issues, and the couple welcomed twins Rumi and Sir, siblings to daughter Blue Ivy, in July.