Early Life and Education of Jay-Z: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Jay-Z. From birth to education, explore key events.

Jay-Z, born Shawn Corey Carter, is a highly influential American rapper, businessman, and record executive. Recognized as one of the greatest rappers of all time, his lyrical style is marked by complexity, wordplay, and a rags-to-riches narrative. He has achieved significant commercial success in music and business, accumulating a net worth of $2.8 billion as of 2026, making him the wealthiest musical artist in history.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

December 4, 1969: Shawn Corey Carter Born

On December 4, 1969, Shawn Corey Carter was born in Brooklyn, New York City.

1982: Shot His Older Brother

In 1982, at age 12, Jay-Z claims he shot his older brother Eric in the shoulder for stealing his jewelry.

1997: Mentioned Shooting Brother in Song

In 1997, Jay-Z's album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. included the song "You Must Love Me", in which he claimed he shot his older brother Eric in 1982, at age 12.

November 25, 2003: "Retirement Party" Concert at Madison Square Garden

On November 25, 2003, Jay-Z held a "retirement party" concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with proceeds going to charity. The concert was later the focus of his 2004 documentary, Fade to Black.

2003: Reconciled with Father Before Death

Adnis Reeves, Jay-Z's father, met and reconciled with Jay-Z prior to his death in 2003.

2003: Founding of the Shawn Carter Foundation

In 2003, Jay-Z, along with his mother, founded the Shawn Carter Foundation, aimed at assisting eligible students facing socio-economic hardships to attend and complete college.

2004: Release of Fade to Black Documentary

Jay-Z's 2003 "retirement party" concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City, was later the focus of his 2004 documentary, Fade to Black.

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2005: Ended Feud with Nas

By 2005, Jay-Z's feud with Nas had ended; Jay-Z stated that record producer Mark Pitts had helped them settle their differences.

August 2006: Meeting with Kofi Annan

In August 2006, Jay-Z met with Kofi Annan, then Secretary-General of the United Nations, pledging to raise awareness of the global water shortage during his upcoming world tour.

November 2006: Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life airs

In November 2006, MTV aired the documentary "Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life", highlighting his partnership with the UN to raise awareness of the global water shortage.

2006: Public service announcement against racism and antisemitism

In 2006, Jay-Z appeared with Russell Simmons in a public service announcement denouncing racism and antisemitism, sponsored by the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding.

2006: Enstoolment as Sarkin Waka of Kwara

In 2006, Jay-Z was enstooled as the Sarkin Waka of Kwara in the Nigerian chieftaincy system.

January 1, 2008: Resignation from Def Jam

On January 1, 2008, Jay-Z resigned as president of Def Jam.

April 4, 2008: Marriage to Beyoncé Knowles

On April 4, 2008, Jay-Z and Beyoncé Knowles were married in a private ceremony in Tribeca, New York City.

April 22, 2008: Relationship Becomes Public Record

On April 22, 2008, Jay-Z and Beyoncé's relationship became a matter of public record.

June 2008: Obama's remarks on Jay-Z

In June 2008, Barack Obama praised Jay-Z as a "brilliant talent" who could help shape attitudes in a positive way.

September 5, 2008: Beyoncé Publicly Debuts Wedding Ring

On September 5, 2008, Beyoncé publicly debuted her wedding ring at the Fashion Rocks concert.

May 21, 2009: Departure from Def Jam and Deal with Live Nation

On May 21, 2009, Jay-Z announced his departure from Def Jam and signed a multi-million-dollar deal with Live Nation. This deal included starting his Roc Nation imprint as a record label, talent/management agency, and music publishing company, as well as partnering with Stargate to create StarRoc.

2010: HeadCount advertisement appearance

During the 2010 mid-term elections, Jay-Z appeared with other artists in a HeadCount advertisement, urging voters to register and vote.

2011: Beyoncé's pregnancy reveal

In 2011, at the MTV Video Music Awards, Beyoncé revealed she was pregnant with her and Jay-Z's first child.

January 7, 2012: Blue Ivy Carter's birth

On January 7, 2012, Jay-Z and Beyoncé's daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, was born at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.

May 2012: Endorsement of Obama's support 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 of Budweiser Made in America Festival

In May 2012, Jay-Z was announced as the curator and headliner for the first annual 'Budweiser Made in America' festival at Fairmount Park in Philadelphia.

October 6, 2012: Subway Ride to Barclays Center Show

On October 6, 2012, Jay-Z took the subway to his sold-out show at The Barclays Center.

2013: Trust fund for Sean Bell's children

In 2013, author dream hampton revealed that Jay-Z had established a trust fund for Sean Bell's children.

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.

June 18, 2017: Birth of twins Rumi and Sir

On June 18, 2017, Mathew Knowles, Beyoncé's father, confirmed that Beyoncé had given birth to twins, Rumi and Sir, with Jay-Z.

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 COVID-19 relief efforts in New York.

April 2020: Donation of face masks to U.S. prisons

In April 2020, Jay-Z, along with Meek Mill, donated over 100,000 face masks to U.S. prisons to help protect inmates from COVID-19.

August 2020: Partnership with Long Island University to Establish 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.

2023: Purchase of Malibu house

In 2023, Jay-Z and Beyoncé bought a house in Malibu, California, designed by Tadao Ando, for $200 million, setting a record for the most expensive residence sold in California.