Jay-Z

Jay-Z
Born	Shawn Corey Carter 4 12, 1969
Birthplace	New York City, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Rapper, businessman, record executive
Known for	Reasonable Doubt, The Blueprint, The Black Album, co-founding Roc-A-Fella Records, founding Roc Nation
Spouse(s)	Beyoncé (m. 2008)
Children	3
Awards	25 Grammy Awards, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee
Website	[https://www.jay-z.com Official site]

Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z (currently stylized as JAY-Z), is an American rapper, businessman, and record executive whose career spans more than three decades. Rising from the Marcy Houses public housing project in Brooklyn, New York, Carter built a career marked by commercial dominance, critical acclaim, and entrepreneurial ambition that redefined the relationship between hip-hop and the business world. He co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records in 1994 and went on to release a succession of chart-topping albums, including Reasonable Doubt (1996), The Blueprint (2001), The Black Album (2003), American Gangster (2007), and 4:44 (2017). With 14 number-one albums on the Billboard 200—the joint-third most in history—and over 140 million records sold worldwide, Jay-Z is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He has won 25 Grammy Awards, was the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the first solo living rapper inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Billboard and Vibe both named him the greatest rapper of all time in 2023. Beyond music, Jay-Z served as president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, co-founded the clothing line Rocawear, launched the entertainment agency Roc Nation, and acquired the streaming service Tidal, becoming the first hip-hop billionaire in 2019. He is married to singer and entertainer Beyoncé; they have three children.

Early Life

Shawn Corey Carter was born on December 4, 1969, in New York City. He grew up in the Marcy Houses, a public housing project in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. Carter's upbringing in the housing projects would become a defining element of his artistic identity, informing the rags-to-riches narrative that permeates much of his music. As a young man, he became a protégé of Jaz-O, a fellow New York City-based rapper, and began recording music in the late 1980s.

Carter's early experiences in Brooklyn exposed him to the challenges of urban poverty, and his lyrics have frequently drawn on these formative years. The Marcy Houses and surrounding neighborhoods provided both the backdrop and the subject matter for much of his early work, establishing the autobiographical style that would distinguish his music throughout his career. His association with Jaz-O proved instrumental in his development as a rapper, giving him access to recording studios and professional mentorship during a period when the East Coast hip-hop scene was undergoing significant creative evolution.

By the early 1990s, Carter had begun to establish a reputation in New York City's underground hip-hop circles. He appeared on records with Jaz-O and other artists, honing the lyrical style—characterized by complex wordplay, double entendres, and braggadocio—that would later become his signature. However, despite growing recognition among peers and within the local scene, Carter found it difficult to secure a major-label recording contract. This challenge would ultimately lead him to take an entrepreneurial approach to his music career, a decision that would prove transformative.

Career

Roc-A-Fella Records and Reasonable Doubt (1994–1997)

Unable to secure a traditional recording contract, Carter co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records in 1994 alongside Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. The independent label became the vehicle through which Carter, now performing as Jay-Z, would release his debut album. The founding of Roc-A-Fella represented a pivotal moment not only in Jay-Z's career but in the broader hip-hop industry, as it demonstrated the viability of artist-owned labels as an alternative to the established major-label system.

Jay-Z's debut studio album, Reasonable Doubt, was released in 1996. Rooted in East Coast hip-hop, the album drew heavily on Jay-Z's personal experiences and featured detailed, narrative-driven lyricism about street life in Brooklyn. Reasonable Doubt received critical acclaim and has since come to be considered one of the landmark albums in hip-hop history. One of the album's notable tracks, "Dead Presidents," became an early signature song. The original version of the track, known as "Dead Presidents" or "DP1," was notably absent from streaming platforms for decades. In February 2026, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the single and his career, Jay-Z released the original version of "Dead Presidents" on streaming services for the first time. The absence of the original track from streaming had been a subject of discussion among fans and music journalists for years, attributed to sample clearance complications from the original recording. Jay-Z also launched a new website to coincide with the anniversary, celebrating 30 years of his music career.

His second album, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, followed in 1997. Like its predecessor, the album received critical acclaim and further established Jay-Z as a major force in East Coast hip-hop. The two albums released through Roc-A-Fella solidified both the label's commercial viability and Jay-Z's reputation as one of rap's most formidable lyricists.

Commercial Breakthrough and Chart Dominance (1998–2003)

Following his initial critical success, Jay-Z entered a period of extraordinary commercial dominance. His subsequent albums consistently debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, a streak that would eventually give him 14 number-one albums on the chart—the joint-third most in the history of the chart.

During this period, Jay-Z also began to achieve success on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. In 1999, he appeared as a featured artist on Mariah Carey's "Heartbreaker," which reached number one on the Hot 100. His guest appearance on Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" in 2003 also topped the chart, as did his collaboration with Rihanna on "Umbrella" in 2007. His sole number-one single as a lead artist came with "Empire State of Mind" (featuring Alicia Keys) in 2009.

The Blueprint, released in September 2001, is considered one of Jay-Z's most significant artistic achievements. The album featured production by Kanye West, who was then an emerging producer, and marked a shift in the sonic landscape of mainstream hip-hop. The Blueprint received widespread critical acclaim and further cemented Jay-Z's status as one of the genre's premier artists.

In 2001, Jay-Z pleaded guilty to a stabbing charge stemming from an incident involving record executive Lance "Un" Rivera at the Kit Kat Klub in New York City in December 1999. He was sentenced to three years of probation.

The Black Album, released in November 2003, was initially presented as Jay-Z's final studio album before retirement. The album debuted at number one and was accompanied by a series of high-profile concerts, including a farewell show at Madison Square Garden. However, the retirement proved temporary.

Def Jam Presidency (2004–2007)

In December 2004, Jay-Z was appointed president and chief executive officer of Def Jam Recordings, one of hip-hop's most storied labels. His tenure at Def Jam, which lasted until 2007, was marked by the development and promotion of several artists who would go on to achieve significant commercial success, including Kanye West, Rihanna, and Ne-Yo.

During his time as a label executive, Jay-Z also returned to recording. He ended his brief retirement and released new music, including the album Kingdom Come in 2006. The album's release was preceded by controversy when the lead single leaked online before its official release date.

In 2007, Jay-Z released American Gangster, an album inspired by the Ridley Scott film of the same name. The album was reported in advance by various outlets and received positive reviews upon its release. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, continuing Jay-Z's streak of chart-topping releases.

Jay-Z stepped down from his role at Def Jam in 2007. His tenure was significant both for the artists he helped develop and for the precedent it set—a major hip-hop artist serving as the head of one of the genre's most important record labels.

Roc Nation and Business Ventures (2008–2015)

In 2008, Jay-Z launched Roc Nation, a multi-disciplinary entertainment agency encompassing artist management, a record label, music publishing, touring, and other entertainment services. Roc Nation would grow to represent a diverse roster of artists, athletes, and entertainers, becoming one of the most prominent management companies in the entertainment industry.

Jay-Z's business interests extended well beyond music. He had co-founded Rocawear, a clothing retailer, in 1999, and the brand grew into a multi-million-dollar enterprise. In 2003, he founded the 40/40 Club, a luxury sports bar chain, which also developed into a successful business. These ventures, alongside his music career and various investments, contributed to his growing reputation as one of hip-hop's most successful entrepreneurs.

Jay-Z also maintained an active touring schedule during this period. He performed at major international festivals, including the Roskilde Festival and other prominent European events, expanding his global audience and cementing his status as one of the world's leading live performers.

Tidal, 4:44, and Continued Influence (2015–present)

In 2015, Jay-Z acquired Aspiro, a Swedish technology company, and led the expansion of its media streaming service, Tidal. The acquisition represented Jay-Z's attempt to create an artist-owned streaming platform that would offer higher royalty rates to musicians and provide exclusive content to subscribers. While Tidal faced competition from established services such as Spotify and Apple Music, the platform became notable for hosting exclusive album releases from Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and other prominent artists.

Jay-Z's thirteenth solo studio album, 4:44, was released in 2017 as a Tidal exclusive. The album was notable for its introspective and confessional content, with Jay-Z addressing themes of infidelity, family, and personal growth. 4:44 debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and received widespread critical acclaim, earning Jay-Z further Grammy recognition.

Through his combined music earnings, business ventures, and investments, Jay-Z became the first hip-hop artist to achieve billionaire status in 2019. His business portfolio spans music, fashion, sports management, real estate, and technology, making him one of the most diversified entrepreneurs to emerge from the entertainment industry.

In February 2026, Jay-Z marked the 30th anniversary of his debut single "Dead Presidents" and his three decades in music with new digital initiatives, including the release of previously unavailable music on streaming platforms and a commemorative website.

Personal Life

Jay-Z married singer and entertainer Beyoncé on April 4, 2008. The couple had maintained a private relationship for several years prior to their wedding. Together, they have three children: daughter Blue Ivy Carter, born in January 2012, and twins Rumi and Sir Carter, born in June 2017.

The couple's relationship and family life have been the subject of extensive public and media interest. Both artists have addressed aspects of their relationship in their music, most notably on Beyoncé's 2016 album Lemonade and Jay-Z's 2017 album 4:44, in which he acknowledged infidelity and explored themes of marital reconciliation. In 2018, the couple released a joint album, Everything Is Love, under the name The Carters.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé are among the most prominent couples in the entertainment industry and have collaborated on numerous musical projects and business ventures. Their combined influence extends across music, fashion, film, and philanthropy.

Recognition

Grammy Awards

Jay-Z has won 25 Grammy Awards over the course of his career, making him one of the most decorated artists in the history of the ceremony. Until 2026, he held the record as the rapper with the most Grammy wins. At the 2026 Grammy Awards, Kendrick Lamar surpassed Jay-Z's total to become the most awarded rapper in Grammy history. Jay-Z's Grammy total of 25 remains the eighth-most by any artist in the ceremony's history.

Hall of Fame Inductions

Jay-Z was the first rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, receiving the honor in 2017. The induction recognized his contributions to songwriting and his influence on popular music over the course of more than two decades. In 2021, he became the first solo living rapper to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an achievement that underscored the growing recognition of hip-hop's cultural and artistic significance within the broader music establishment.

Other Honors

Jay-Z has received numerous additional honors and recognitions throughout his career. He is the recipient of the NAACP's President's Award and has won three Emmy Awards, including two Primetime Emmy Awards. He has also received a Tony Award nomination. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2013. Billboard ranked him among the 100 greatest artists of all time, and both Billboard and Vibe named him the greatest rapper of all time in 2023.

Legacy

Jay-Z's impact on hip-hop and popular culture is extensive and multifaceted. As a recording artist, he helped define the sound and lyrical approach of East Coast hip-hop across multiple decades, adapting his style to changing musical trends while maintaining a consistent artistic identity rooted in autobiographical storytelling and technical wordplay. His catalog of 14 number-one albums represents one of the most sustained periods of commercial dominance in the history of recorded music.

His influence extends to the business of music. The founding of Roc-A-Fella Records in 1994 helped establish a model of artist entrepreneurship that subsequent generations of hip-hop artists would follow. His tenure as president of Def Jam Recordings demonstrated that artists could operate at the highest levels of the music industry's corporate structure. The launch of Roc Nation created a new paradigm for artist management and entertainment services, while his acquisition of Tidal placed him at the forefront of debates about streaming economics and artist compensation.

As an entrepreneur, Jay-Z's trajectory from independent record label co-founder to billionaire business magnate has been cited as emblematic of hip-hop's broader economic evolution. His investments span multiple industries, and his success in business has influenced how both the entertainment industry and the broader business world perceive the commercial potential of hip-hop culture.

Jay-Z's role in developing the careers of other artists—including Kanye West, Rihanna, and Ne-Yo during his time at Def Jam—has had a lasting impact on the music industry. Several of the artists he mentored or signed have gone on to become among the best-selling and most influential musicians of the 21st century.

With over 140 million records sold, 25 Grammy Awards, inductions into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a business empire spanning music, fashion, sports, and technology, Jay-Z's career represents one of the most comprehensive bodies of achievement in the history of American popular culture. His 30-year career, commemorated in 2026 with the re-release of foundational recordings and new digital initiatives, continues to shape the landscape of hip-hop and the entertainment industry.