Career Timeline of Jay-Z: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Jay-Z, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Jay-Z, born Shawn Corey Carter, is a highly successful American rapper, businessman, and record executive. Celebrated for his intricate lyricism and rags-to-riches story, he's considered one of hip-hop's greatest. He held executive positions at Def Jam Recordings and later founded Roc Nation, demonstrating his entrepreneurial prowess and influence within the music industry.
1988: Worked on Album Word to the Jaz in London
In 1988, While working on the album Word to the Jaz in London, Jay-Z and Irv Gotti began to build their relationship on the trip.
1994: Co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records
In 1994, Jay-Z co-founded the record label Roc-A-Fella Records, marking a pivotal step in his career and paving the way for his debut album.
1994: Featured on Big Daddy Kane's Album
In 1994, Jay-Z gained wider recognition on the posse cut "Show and Prove" on Big Daddy Kane's album Daddy's Home, marking a significant step in his early career.
1995: Released First Official Rap Single
In 1995, Jay-Z released his first official rap single, "In My Lifetime", with an accompanying music video, marking a significant step in his solo career.
1995: Created Roc-A-Fella Records
In 1995, after facing difficulty securing a record deal, Jay-Z, along with Damon "Dame" Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, created Roc-A-Fella Records as an independent label, a pivotal move in his career.
1996: Released Debut Album 'Reasonable Doubt'
In 1996, Jay-Z released his debut album 'Reasonable Doubt' with beats from acclaimed producers such as DJ Premier and Super DJ Clark Kent, marking a significant milestone in his career.
1997: Released 'In My Lifetime, Vol. 1'
In 1997, Jay-Z released his second studio album, 'In My Lifetime, Vol. 1', which was met with critical acclaim, further solidifying his position in the music industry.
1997: Released 'In My Lifetime, Vol. 1' After Distribution Deal with Def Jam
In 1997, following a new distribution deal with Def Jam, Jay-Z released his follow-up album 'In My Lifetime, Vol. 1', featuring production by Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, DJ Premier, and Ski.
1998: Released 'Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life'
In 1998, Jay-Z released 'Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life', featuring the hit song "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)", which became the biggest hit of his career at the time.
1999: Co-founded Rocawear
In 1999, Jay-Z co-founded the clothing retailer Rocawear, marking an early venture into the business world.
1999: Collaborated with Mariah Carey and Released 'Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter'
In 1999, Jay-Z collaborated with Mariah Carey on "Heartbreaker" and released his album 'Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter', achieving commercial success.
2000: Released 'The Dynasty: Roc La Familia'
In 2000, Jay-Z released 'The Dynasty: Roc La Familia', which was originally intended as a compilation album for Roc-A-Fella artists but was released as a Jay-Z album. It introduced producers like The Neptunes, Just Blaze, Kanye West, and Bink.
September 11, 2001: Released 'The Blueprint'
On September 11, 2001, Jay-Z released his sixth studio album, 'The Blueprint', which received a five-mic review from The Source, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, and eventually reached double platinum certification.
2001: Released 'The Blueprint'
In 2001, Jay-Z released 'The Blueprint', which debuted atop the Billboard 200 and garnered critical acclaim. The album showcased Jay-Z's lyrical prowess and solidified his status as a hip-hop icon.
2002: Collaboration on "'03 Bonnie & Clyde"
In 2002, Jay-Z and singer Beyoncé Knowles collaborated on the song "'03 Bonnie & Clyde".
2002: Released 'The Best of Both Worlds' with R. Kelly
In 2002, Jay-Z collaborated with R. Kelly to release the collaborative album 'The Best of Both Worlds'.
November 25, 2003: Held "Retirement Party" Concert
On November 25, 2003, Jay-Z held a concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City, billed as a "retirement party," with proceeds going to charity.
2003: Founding the Shawn Carter Foundation
In 2003, Jay-Z and his mother founded the Shawn Carter Foundation, which assists eligible students facing socio-economic hardships attend and get through college.
2003: Collaborations on "Crazy in Love" and "That's How You Like It"
In 2003, Jay-Z appeared on Beyoncé's hit single, "Crazy in Love" and the song "That's How You Like It" from her debut album Dangerously in Love.
2003: Part-Ownership of Brooklyn Nets
In 2003, Jay-Z became a part-owner of the Brooklyn Nets NBA team, paying a reported $1 million for his share.
2003: Endorsement Deal and S. Carter Collection with Reebok
In 2003, Jay-Z became the first rapper to endorse Reebok, signing a three-year deal, and later appeared in a Reebok collection advertising his S. Carter Collection. He also appeared in a commercial alongside 50 Cent to promote their respective footwear lines.
2003: Founded the 40/40 Club
In 2003, Jay-Z founded the 40/40 Club, a luxury bar chain, expanding his business portfolio.
2003: Released 'The Black Album'
In 2003, Jay-Z released 'The Black Album', which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The album was initially touted as his final solo album before a brief retirement.
2004: President and CEO of Def Jam Recordings
In 2004, Jay-Z became the president and chief executive officer of Def Jam Recordings, marking a significant career milestone.
2004: Collaborated with Linkin Park and Executive Produced Fort Minor Album
In 2004, Jay-Z collaborated with rock group Linkin Park, releasing the collaborative remix EP Collision Course, which featured mashups of both artists' songs. Jay-Z was also the executive producer of The Rising Tied, the debut album of Fort Minor, the hip hop side project of Linkin Park rapper Mike Shinoda.
2004: Released 'Unfinished Business' with R. Kelly and 'Collision Course' with Linkin Park
In 2004, Jay-Z released 'Unfinished Business', a collaborative album with R. Kelly, and 'Collision Course', a collaborative album with Linkin Park.
2004: Named president of Def Jam Records
In 2004, Jay-Z was named president of Def Jam Records, leading to him, Dash, and Biggs selling their remaining interests in Roc-A-Fella Records. Jay-Z then took control of both companies. This move was reportedly prompted by disagreements between Jay-Z and Dash regarding the direction of Roc-A-Fella.
2004: Documentary 'Fade to Black' Released
In 2004, Jay-Z's "retirement party" concert from November 25, 2003, became the focus of his documentary, Fade to Black, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at the event and his career.
October 2005: Consideration of Arsenal F.C. Stake
In October 2005, Jay-Z was reported to be considering buying a stake in Arsenal F.C., an English soccer team.
October 27, 2005: "I Declare War" Powerhouse concert
On October 27, 2005, Jay-Z headlined New York's Power 105.1 annual Powerhouse concert, titled "I Declare War." The concert, themed around his position as president and CEO of Def Jam, featured a mock-up of the Oval Office on stage and appearances by artists like Ne-Yo, Teairra Marí, T.I., Young Jeezy, Akon, Kanye West, Paul Wall, The LOX, and Diddy.
2005: Investment in Carol's Daughter
In 2005, Jay-Z became an investor in Carol's Daughter, a line of beauty products.
2005: Inauguration as President of Def Jam Recordings
In 2005, Jay-Z became the president of Def Jam Recordings.
August 2006: Meeting with Kofi Annan
In August 2006, Jay-Z met with Kofi Annan at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, pledging to raise awareness of the global water shortage during his upcoming world tour.
October 2006: "Show Me What You Got" single leak and FBI investigation
In early October 2006, Jay-Z's comeback single, "Show Me What You Got", from the album Kingdom Come, leaked on the Internet. Despite being scheduled for a later release that month, it received heavy airplay after the leak, prompting an FBI investigation.
November 2006: Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life documentary
In November 2006, MTV aired the documentary "Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life," highlighting Jay-Z's efforts to raise awareness of the global water shortage in partnership with the UN.
November 21, 2006: Release of Kingdom Come album
On November 21, 2006, Jay-Z released his comeback album, Kingdom Come. The album's first week sales reached 680,000 copies, marking his "biggest sales week ever," according to Billboard. The album ultimately sold 2 million copies in the U.S.
2006: Public Service Announcement Denouncing Racism and Anti-Semitism
In 2006, Jay-Z appeared with Russell Simmons in a public service announcement denouncing racism and anti-Semitism, sponsored by the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding.
2006: Expiration of Reebok Deal
In 2006, Jay-Z's endorsement deal with Reebok expired without renewal.
2006: Association with Armand de Brignac
In 2006, Jay-Z's ties with Armand de Brignac began, leading to him receiving millions of dollars per year for his association with the champagne brand before eventually buying the entire company.
2006: Jay-Z Takes Over Rocawear
In early 2006, Jay-Z took over the urban clothing brand Rocawear, originally co-founded with Damon Dash, following a falling out with Dash.
March 2007: Sale of Rocawear Brand Rights
In March 2007, Jay-Z sold the rights to the Rocawear brand to Iconix Brand Group for $204 million, retaining his stake in the company and continuing to oversee marketing, licensing, and product development.
November 6, 2007: Release of American Gangster album
On November 6, 2007, Jay-Z released his tenth album, American Gangster. Inspired by the Ridley Scott film of the same name, the album depicts Jay-Z's experiences as a street hustler and sold 1 million copies in the U.S.
2007: Departure from Def Jam and Launch of Roc Nation
At the end of 2007, after releasing American Gangster, Jay-Z decided not to renew his contract as the president and CEO of Def Jam. Shortly after, he started his Live Nation venture, Roc Nation.
2007: Released 'American Gangster'
In 2007, Jay-Z released 'American Gangster', which debuted atop the Billboard 200. Inspired by the film of the same name, the album showcased Jay-Z's storytelling abilities.
2007: Departure from Def Jam Recordings
In 2007, Jay-Z stepped down from his role as president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, concluding his executive tenure at the label.
January 1, 2008: Resignation as president of Def Jam
On January 1, 2008, Jay-Z resigned from his position as president of Def Jam Records.
August 6, 2008: Performance at Madison Square Garden with Kanye West
On August 6, 2008, during Kanye West's concert at Madison Square Garden, Jay-Z appeared to perform a new song. Jay-Z and West announced that the song would be included on The Blueprint 3 album.
2008: Glastonbury Festival headliner
In 2008, Jay-Z became the first major hip hop artist to headline Britain's Glastonbury Festival, which led to controversy. He responded to criticism by opening his set with a cover of Oasis's "Wonderwall" and delivering a successful performance.
2008: Launched Roc Nation
In 2008, Jay-Z launched Roc Nation, a multi-disciplinary entertainment agency, further solidifying his presence in the entertainment industry.
2008: Closure of 40/40 Club in Las Vegas
In 2008, Jay-Z's 40/40 Club in Las Vegas was closed down and bought back by the hotel after attendance steadily declined.
May 21, 2009: Departure from Def Jam and signing with Live Nation
On May 21, 2009, Jay-Z announced his departure from Def Jam and his signing with Live Nation in a multi-million-dollar deal. He also started his Roc Nation imprint, encompassing a record label, talent/management agency, and music publishing company, and partnered with Stargate to start StarRoc.
September 8, 2009: Release of The Blueprint 3 in North America
Due to increasing anticipation, The Blueprint 3, Jay-Z's 11th studio album, was released in North America on September 8, 2009. The release was originally scheduled for September 11, 2009.
September 11, 2009: Original Release Date of The Blueprint 3
September 11, 2009 was the originally planned release date for Jay-Z's album The Blueprint 3, but it was released on September 8, 2009, due to increasing anticipation.
October 9, 2009: Start of The Blueprint 3 tour
On October 9, 2009, Jay-Z commenced his tour for The Blueprint 3, supporting his new album across North America.
November 8, 2009: Performance with Rihanna at UCLA
On November 8, 2009, at his concert at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion, Rihanna joined Jay-Z on stage to perform "Hard" for the first time, followed by "Run This Town."
November 22, 2009: End of North American tour for The Blueprint 3
Jay-Z's North American tour for The Blueprint 3 concluded on November 22, 2009.
2009: Reached Number One with 'Empire State of Mind'
In 2009, Jay-Z's single "Empire State of Mind" (featuring Alicia Keys) reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, marking his first time as a lead artist to achieve this milestone.
January 2010: Interest in Aqueduct Entertainment Group
In January 2010, Jay-Z, through his company Gain Global Investments Network LLC, had an interest in the Aqueduct Entertainment Group (AEG) consortium, which was awarded a contract to operate a racino at the Aqueduct Race Track.
March 9, 2010: Withdrawal from Aqueduct Entertainment Group
On March 9, 2010, Jay-Z and Flake withdrew from the Aqueduct Entertainment Group (AEG) consortium, and Governor Paterson recused himself from further involvement.
September 23, 2010: Q-Tip confirms working on Jay-Z's follow-up album to The Blueprint 3
On September 23, 2010, Q-Tip confirmed that he was working on Jay-Z's follow-up album to The Blueprint 3, projecting a release by spring 2011.
November 2010: Supporting act for U2's 360° Tour in Australia and New Zealand
In November 2010, Jay-Z began serving as the supporting act for U2 on the Australian and New Zealand leg of their U2 360° Tour, starting in Auckland, New Zealand.
November 2010: Recording sessions for Watch the Throne begin
In November 2010, recording sessions began for Jay-Z and Kanye West's collaborative project, initially planned as a five-track EP entitled Watch the Throne, which later evolved into a full-length LP. The sessions took place at various recording locations.
November 16, 2010: Publication of Memoir "Decoded"
On November 16, 2010, Jay-Z published his memoir entitled Decoded, co-signed by Dream Hampton.
2010: HeadCount Advertisement
During the 2010 mid-term elections, Jay-Z appeared with other artists in a HeadCount advertisement, urging voters, especially younger ones, to register and vote.
2010: Addressing the Stabbing case in Decoded
In 2010, Jay-Z addressed the stabbing case in his book Decoded.
2010: Expansion Plans for 40/40 Club Chain
In 2010, Jay-Z announced plans to expand his 40/40 Club sports bar chain into as many as 20 airports, partnering with Roc Nation business partners Juan and Desiree Perez and Delaware North.
April 5, 2011: Launch of Life + Times Online Magazine
On April 5, 2011, Jay-Z launched the popular culture and lifestyle online magazine Life + Times, featuring content showcasing his tastes in clothing, appliances, and cars.
April 2011: Acquisition of Block Starz Music
In April 2011, Jay-Z reportedly outbid executives at Universal Music and Jive Records to acquire independent record label Block Starz Music.
2011: Release and success of "Watch the Throne" album
In 2011, Jay-Z and Kanye West released their collaborative album "Watch the Throne", which achieved significant success. It debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Store in 23 countries, selling 290,000 copies on iTunes alone in its first week. The album also topped the Billboard 200 chart, selling 436,000 copies in the U.S. during its first week. The album was promoted with a surprise performance of "Otis" at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.
2011: Released 'Watch the Throne' with Kanye West
In 2011, Jay-Z collaborated with Kanye West to release the album 'Watch the Throne'.
January 9, 2012: Release of "Glory"
On January 9, 2012, Jay-Z released "Glory", a song dedicated to Blue Ivy, through his Life+Times website.
February 2012: 'The Blueprint' Sales Milestone
As of February 2012, Jay-Z's album "The Blueprint", released September 11, 2001, had sold 2.7 million copies worldwide, highlighting its enduring popularity and impact.
May 2012: Endorsement of Same-Sex Marriage
In May 2012, Jay-Z endorsed President Obama's support of same-sex marriage and participated in his re-election campaign.
May 2012: Curator and headliner for Budweiser Made in America festival
In May 2012, Jay-Z, along with former Philadelphia mayor Michael A. Nutter, announced Jay-Z as the curator and headliner for the first annual "Budweiser Made in America" festival in Philadelphia on September 1 and 2, 2012. The festival featured an eclectic lineup of musicians.
May 2012: Collaboration with Roc Nation producer Jahlil Beats
In May 2012, it was reported that Jay-Z was collaborating with Roc Nation producer Jahlil Beats on new music. Beats mentioned that Jay-Z had selected some of his tracks to work on.
November 12, 2012: Coldplay announces performance with Jay-Z at Barclays Center
On November 12, 2012, Coldplay announced that they would be performing with Jay-Z at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on December 31.
2012: Brooklyn Nets Relocation
In the 2012–2013 season, Jay-Z encouraged the relocation of the Brooklyn Nets from New Jersey to Brooklyn's Barclays Center, marking the team's transition to the Brooklyn Nets moniker.
April 2, 2013: Launch of Roc Nation Sports
On April 2, 2013, ESPN reported Jay-Z's plans to launch his own sports agency, Roc Nation Sports, in partnership with Creative Artists Agency, focusing on the representation of various professional athletes. In conjunction with the agency's launch, New York Yankees's second baseman Robinson Canó signed with the company.
April 2013: Value of Brooklyn Nets share declines
In April 2013, Forbes magazine valued Jay-Z's share of the Brooklyn Nets NBA team at $350,000, a decline from his initial $1 million investment.
April 18, 2013: Relinquishing Ownership in the Brooklyn Nets
On April 18, 2013, Jay-Z officially announced that he would be relinquishing his ownership in the Brooklyn Nets, with the shares being sold to Will Pan.
July 4, 2013: Release of Magna Carta Holy Grail album
During the fifth game of the 2013 NBA Finals, Jay-Z announced his twelfth studio album, Magna Carta Holy Grail, which was released on July 4, 2013. He also confirmed the removal of the hyphen from his stage name.
September 2013: Sale of Barclays Center Stake
In September 2013, Jay-Z's stake in Barclays Center was sold for $1.5 million.
2013: Anticipated album and appearance on Justin Timberlake's "Suit & Tie"
In 2013, Jay-Z's upcoming album was highly anticipated by Complex Magazine, MTV, and XXL. Also in 2013, Jay-Z appeared on Justin Timberlake's comeback single "Suit & Tie" from Timberlake's album The 20/20 Experience. Timberlake and Jay-Z embarked on the co-headlining Legends of the Summer Stadium Tour.
2013: Trust fund for Sean Bell's children
In 2013, it was revealed that Jay-Z had established a trust fund for Sean Bell's children.
October 2014: Tidal's Operation
Tidal, the subscription-based music streaming service operated by Aspiro, has been in operation since October 2014. Jay-Z acquired Aspiro in March 2015.
2014: Featured on Beyoncé's self-titled album and Grammy performance
In 2014, Jay-Z appeared on his wife Beyoncé's self-titled fifth studio album, Beyoncé, featuring on the song "Drunk in Love." They performed the song together at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards opening.
2014: Acquisition of Armand de Brignac Champagne
In 2014, Jay-Z invested $200 million to acquire a 100% stake in Armand de Brignac champagne, making it the second alcoholic product acquisition in his financial investment portfolio.
March 2015: Acquisition of Aspiro and Tidal Music Streaming Service
In March 2015, Jay-Z completed the $56 million acquisition of Aspiro, a Norwegian media technology company that operates the subscription-based music streaming service Tidal.
July 2015: Investment in JetSmarter
In July 2015, Jay-Z made a significant investment in JetSmarter, an app for booking private executive plane flights, built by Sergey Petrossov.
2015: Acquired Aspiro and Led Expansion of Tidal
In 2015, Jay-Z acquired the technology company Aspiro and led the expansion of Tidal, the company's media streaming service, marking his foray into the tech industry.
2015: Donation to bail out protestors
In 2015, Jay-Z donated to bail out protestors arrested during activism against police brutality.
2016: Appearance at Hillary Clinton Rally
In 2016, Jay-Z and Beyoncé appeared at a Hillary Clinton rally in Cleveland, where Clinton praised Jay-Z for addressing racism, oppression, and the criminal justice system. He described Donald Trump as a "superbug" and condemned remarks he perceived as racist.
2016: Film and TV Deal with Weinstein Company and Production of Kalief Browder Documentary
In 2016, Jay-Z signed a two-year exclusive film and TV deal with Weinstein Company, giving them first-look options for scripted and unscripted TV and film projects. As part of the deal, he produced a documentary series on the life of Kalief Browder.
June 2017: Promotion of Tidal-related project 4:44
In early June 2017, posters and ads appeared promoting a Tidal-related project titled 4:44. A teaser ad aired during the NBA Finals on June 7, and on June 18, the project was confirmed to be a new Jay-Z album.
2017: Released '4:44'
In 2017, Jay-Z released '4:44', which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The album features introspective and personal themes, garnering widespread critical acclaim.
June 6, 2018: Kick-off of On the Run II Tour
On June 6, 2018, Jay-Z and Beyoncé commenced the On the Run II Tour in Cardiff, United Kingdom.
2018: Released 'Everything Is Love' with Beyoncé
In 2018, Jay-Z and his wife Beyoncé released the collaborative album 'Everything Is Love'.
2019: Became First Hip-Hop Billionaire
In 2019, Jay-Z became the first hip-hop billionaire, marking a significant milestone in his career and business ventures.
March 2020: $1 Million Donation for COVID-19 Relief
In March 2020, Jay-Z donated $1 million through the Shawn Carter Foundation to aid in relief during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York.
April 2020: Face Mask Donation to U.S. Prisons
In April 2020, Jay-Z, along with Meek Mill, donated over 100,000 face masks to U.S. prisons to assist in protecting prison inmates from COVID-19.
August 2020: Partnership with Long Island University for Roc Nation School
In August 2020, Jay-Z's Roc Nation partnered with Brooklyn's Long Island University to establish the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment.
November 2020: Appointment as Chief Visionary Officer of TPCO Holding Corp.
In November 2020, Jay-Z joined TPCO Holding Corp., a newly formed cannabis products company, as "Chief Visionary Officer".
2021: Induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and appearances on "Jail" and "Love All"
In 2021, Jay-Z was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside LL Cool J. He also featured on Kanye West's song "Jail" from the album Donda and on Drake's song "Love All" from the album Certified Lover Boy.
December 5, 2022: Partnership with Caesars Entertainment for Times Square Casino
On December 5, 2022, Jay-Z and Roc Nation announced their partnership with Caesars Entertainment to build and operate a casino property at Times Square.
2022: Collaboration on "Neck & Wrist" and "God Did", Emmy Award for Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show
In 2022, Jay-Z collaborated with Pusha T on the song "Neck & Wrist" and made a guest appearance on DJ Khaled's "God Did". He also received a Primetime Emmy Award as a producer for the Super Bowl LVI halftime show.
2025: Plans to relocate to the United Kingdom
In 2025, Beyoncé and Jay-Z reportedly began plans to relocate permanently to the United Kingdom, seeking a residence in the Cotswolds, following Beyoncé’s transition into country music and the UK leg of her Cowboy Carter World Tour.
Mentioned in this timeline
Basketball is a team sport played on a rectangular court...
Eminem born Marshall Mathers III is a highly influential American...
Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a highly successful Barbadian singer actress...
Frank Ocean is an influential American singer and songwriter widely...
Mariah Carey is a highly acclaimed American singer-songwriter record producer...
Kanye West also known as Ye is a highly influential...
Trending
1 month ago Vanessa Bryant supports Sabrina Ionescu, dismissing pregnancy rumors with stylish WNBA courtside appearance.
Jordan Mailata is an Australian professional American football offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles Before transitioning to the NFL he...
Brennan Lee Mulligan is an American comedian actor writer and gamemaster primarily known for his work with Dropout including writing...
29 days ago John Thune faces challenges and opportunities pushing for tax bill passage.
3 months ago Tyrese Proctor's Leadership Propels Duke Basketball to Final Four Run.
Julio Ur as a Mexican professional baseball pitcher nicknamed El Culichi debuted in MLB with the Los Angeles Dodgers in...
Popular
Pam Bondi is an American attorney lobbyist and politician A...
Jupiter is the fifth and largest planet from the Sun...
KPop Demon Hunters is a animated musical fantasy action comedy...
William Franklin Graham III commonly known as Franklin Graham is...
Thomas Douglas Homan is an American law enforcement officer and...
Candace Owens is an American conservative and far-right political commentator...