Jay-Z, born Shawn Corey Carter, is a highly acclaimed American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. Recognized for his influence in the music industry, he has played a significant role in the success of many artists. His contributions to the rap genre earned him the title of greatest rapper of all time by Billboard and Vibe in 2023. His business acumen is evident in his leadership roles, serving as president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings and subsequently founding his own entertainment company, Roc Nation.
Shawn Corey Carter, known as Jay-Z, was born on December 4, 1969.
Jay-Z has claimed in his lyrics that he shot his older brother in 1982 at the age of 12.
In 1994, Jay-Z co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records to launch his musical career independently.
Jay-Z appeared on Big Daddy Kane's 1994 album "Daddy's Home", gaining recognition in the hip hop scene.
Jay-Z was allegedly stopped by an NYPD detective in 1994.
Jay-Z appeared on Big L's song "Da Graveyard" and Mic Geronimo's "Time to Build" in 1995, showcasing his growing presence in the hip hop community.
Jay-Z, Damon Dash, and Kareem Burke established Roc-A-Fella Records as an independent label in 1995.
Jay-Z released his critically acclaimed debut album "Reasonable Doubt" in 1996, marking the beginning of his successful music career.
Jay-Z released "Reasonable Doubt" under his newly formed Roc-A-Fella Records label in 1996, marking his independence and artistic vision.
Jay-Z secured a new distribution deal for Roc-A-Fella Records with Def Jam Recordings in 1997, signifying his rising prominence in the music industry.
Jay-Z followed up his debut with the successful album "In My Lifetime, Vol. 1" in 1997.
Jay-Z's "Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life" was released in 1998 and marked a major turning point in his career, featuring the hit song "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)".
On December 2, 1999, Jay-Z allegedly stabbed record executive Lance "Un" Rivera at the Kit Kat Klub in New York City during a release party for Q-Tip's album Amplified. Jay-Z surrendered to police the following evening and was released on $50,000 bail.
Jay-Z co-founded Rocawear, a clothing retailer, in 1999, expanding his entrepreneurial ventures.
Jay-Z collaborated with Mariah Carey on "Heartbreaker" in 1999, achieving his first US chart-topper. He also released his album "Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter" in the same year, further solidifying his success in the music industry.
In January 2000, Jay-Z was indicted in Manhattan Criminal Court and pleaded not guilty to stabbing Lance "Un" Rivera. He and his lawyers argued that witnesses and videotapes could prove his innocence. Nevertheless, he later pleaded guilty to third-degree assault, receiving a three-year probation sentence.
Jay-Z's album "The Dynasty: Roc La Familia" was released in 2000, featuring a shift towards a more soulful sound and introducing new producers.
On September 11, 2001, Jay-Z released his sixth studio album, The Blueprint. Written in just two days, the album received critical acclaim, including a five-mic review from The Source, and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. It sold over 427,000 copies in its first week and was certified double platinum by the RIAA. The album featured guest performances by Eminem and production by Kanye West on four tracks.
In October 2001, Jay-Z pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for stabbing record producer Lance Rivera in 1999. He was sentenced to three years of probation for the crime. Despite the legal consequences, Rivera later recanted the allegations in 2023.
In 2001, Jay-Z initiated a feud with Prodigy by performing the song "Takeover" at Summer Jam 2001, which included disparaging allusions to Prodigy and revealed photos of him dressed like Michael Jackson. The feud extended to Nas after a line in "Takeover" referred to him, leading Nas to respond with the diss track "Ether". This marked the beginning of a notable conflict between Jay-Z and Nas that lasted until 2005 when it was resolved with the help of record producer Mark Pitts.
Jay-Z's "The Blueprint" album was released in 2001.
In March 2002, Jay-Z collaborated with Chicago singer R. Kelly to release their collaborative studio album, The Best of Both Worlds. The album combined elements of hip-hop and R&B, marking a significant collaboration in Jay-Z's career.
Jay-Z collaborated with R. Kelly in 2002 on the album "The Best of Both Worlds", showcasing their musical synergy.
In 2002, Jay-Z and Beyoncé collaborated on the song "'03 Bonnie & Clyde".
On November 25, 2003, Jay-Z held a concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City, billed as a 'retirement party'. The event featured performances from numerous collaborators and all proceeds went to charity. This concert was later the focus of his 2004 documentary, Fade to Black.
In 2003, Jay-Z and his mother founded the Shawn Carter Foundation to help students facing socio-economic hardships attend college.
In 2003, Jay-Z appeared on Beyoncé's hit singles "Crazy in Love" and "That's How You Like It" from her debut album "Dangerously in Love".
In 2003, Jay-Z became the first rapper to endorse Reebok footwear. He later advertised his S. Carter Collection with Reebok. That same year, he and 50 Cent appeared together in a Reebok commercial promoting their respective footwear lines.
Jay-Z became a part-owner of the then-New Jersey Nets NBA team in 2003, paying a reported $1 million for his share.
Jay-Z founded the 40/40 Club, a luxury bar chain, in 2003.
Jay-Z reconciled with his father, Adnis Reeves, before his death in 2003.
Jay-Z released the song "99 Problems" in 2003, which recounted an alleged encounter with an NYPD detective in 1994.
Jay-Z's "The Black Album" was released in 2003.
In 2004, Jay-Z collaborated with rock group Linkin Park to release their remix EP Collision Course, featuring mashups of both artists' songs. The EP's only single, "Numb/Encore", won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Jay-Z performed the song live at the Grammys alongside Linkin Park and Paul McCartney, who added verses from "Yesterday".
Jay-Z released collaborative albums "Collision Course" with Linkin Park and "Unfinished Business" with R. Kelly in 2004, crossing genre boundaries.
Jay-Z served as the president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings from 2004.
In 2004, Jay-Z released a documentary titled Fade to Black, which focused on his 'retirement party' concert held on November 25, 2003, at Madison Square Garden. The documentary provided an in-depth look at the concert and Jay-Z's career at that point.
In 2004, Jay-Z was named president of Def Jam Records. This major industry move led to Jay-Z, along with his partners Dash and Biggs, selling their remaining interests in Roc-A-Fella Records. Jay-Z took control of both companies, although the split caused publicized disagreements between the former partners.
In October 2005, English media reported that Jay-Z was considering buying a stake in Arsenal F.C., an English soccer team.
On October 27, 2005, Jay-Z headlined the Power 105.1 annual concert, Powerhouse, titled the 'I Declare War' concert. The event featured a mock-up of the Oval Office on stage, and speculation ran high about whom Jay-Z would 'declare war' on. The concert included appearances from various artists such as Kanye West, Ne-Yo, and Diddy, emphasizing Jay-Z's role as president and CEO of Def Jam.
By 2005, the ongoing feud between Jay-Z and Nas, which had started in 2001 with a series of diss tracks, came to an end. Jay-Z credited record producer Mark Pitts for helping them settle their differences and put an end to one of hip-hop's most famous rivalries.
In 2005, Jay-Z became an investor in Carol's Daughter, a beauty product line specializing in hair, skin, and hand products.
Jay-Z became the president of Def Jam Recordings in 2005, overseeing the successful launch of artists like Rihanna and Ne-Yo.
In August 2006, Jay-Z met with Kofi Annan at the United Nations headquarters in New York to pledge raising awareness for the global water shortage during his world tour.
In November 2006, MTV aired 'Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life', a documentary raising awareness about the global water shortage.
On November 21, 2006, Jay-Z released his comeback album, Kingdom Come. The album featured production from notable producers like Just Blaze, Pharrell, Kanye West, Dr. Dre, and Chris Martin. It sold 680,000 copies in its first week, making it the highest single-week total in Jay-Z's decade-long career at that time.
Jay-Z's endorsement deal with Reebok expired in 2006 and was not renewed.
In 2006, Jay-Z was enstooled as the Sarkin Waka of Kwara in the Nigerian chieftaincy system.
Jay-Z's association with Armand de Brignac dates back to 2006, where he received millions of dollars annually for promoting the brand.
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.
In 2006, Beyoncé and Jay-Z were named the most powerful couple on Time magazine's 100 most influential people list.
Jay-Z gained full ownership of the Rocawear clothing brand in early 2006 after a falling out with his business partner, Damon Dash.
In March 2007, Jay-Z sold the rights to his Rocawear clothing brand to Iconix Brand Group for $204 million. Despite selling the brand, he retained a stake and continued to oversee marketing, licensing, and product development.
On November 6, 2007, Jay-Z released his tenth album, American Gangster. Inspired by the Ridley Scott film of the same name, the album depicted Jay-Z's experiences as a street hustler and was distributed by Def Jam. The album's notable single, "Blue Magic", included political references and showcased Jay-Z's storytelling abilities.
At the end of 2007, after releasing "American Gangster," Jay-Z chose not to renew his contract as president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings. He then launched his own company, Roc Nation.
Jay-Z concluded his role as the president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings in 2007.
Jay-Z's "American Gangster" album was released in 2007.
On January 1, 2008, Jay-Z resigned as president of Def Jam Records. His tenure as president saw significant moves in the industry, including the release of his album American Gangster in November 2007.
On April 4, 2008, Jay-Z and Beyoncé were married in a private ceremony in Tribeca, New York City.
Jay-Z and Beyoncé's marriage became public on April 22, 2008.
In June 2008, Jay-Z supported Barack Obama's presidential candidacy by performing at voter-drive concerts financed by the Democratic campaign.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z reached the top of Forbes' list for top-earning couples, earning a combined $122 million between June 2008 and June 2009.
On August 6, 2008, during Kanye West's concert at Madison Square Garden, Jay-Z made a surprise appearance to perform a new song, announcing it would be included on his upcoming album, "The Blueprint 3".
Beyoncé publicly debuted her wedding ring at the Fashion Rocks concert on September 5, 2008.
Jay-Z launched Roc Nation, a multi-disciplinary entertainment agency, in 2008, expanding his influence in the entertainment industry.
In 2008, the 40/40 Club in Las Vegas, an upscale sports bar co-owned by Jay-Z, closed after experiencing declining attendance.
In 2008, Jay-Z became the first major hip hop artist to headline Britain's Glastonbury Festival, sparking controversy due to the festival's history of guitar-driven music. Former Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher publicly criticized the decision, but Jay-Z responded by highlighting hip hop's contributions to music. Jay-Z's performance, which included a cover of Oasis's "Wonderwall", was ultimately well-received.
In January 2009, Forbes ranked Beyoncé and Jay-Z as Hollywood's top-earning couple, with a combined income of $162 million.
On May 21, 2009, Jay-Z made a significant career move by leaving Def Jam Recordings and signing a multi-million-dollar deal with Live Nation. He also established his own imprint, Roc Nation, which encompassed a record label, talent agency, music publishing, and a partnership with production team Stargate for the label StarRoc.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z reached the top of Forbes' list for top-earning couples, earning a combined $122 million between June 2008 and June 2009.
Due to high anticipation, Jay-Z's 11th studio album, "The Blueprint 3", was released in North America on September 8, 2009, ahead of its initially planned September 11 release. The album marked Jay-Z's 11th album to top the Billboard 200 chart, surpassing Elvis Presley's record at the time for a solo artist.
On October 9, 2009, Jay-Z commenced his North American tour in support of "The Blueprint 3". Reviews praised his performance as smooth and characteristic of the hip-hop superstar.
During Jay-Z's concert at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion on November 8, 2009, Rihanna joined him on stage for the first live performance of their collaboration "Hard" and later performed "Run This Town" together.
Jay-Z's North American tour for "The Blueprint 3" concluded on November 22, 2009.
In January 2010, Jay-Z, through his company Gain Global Investments Network LLC, acquired a stake in the Aqueduct Entertainment Group (AEG), which was later awarded a contract to operate a racino at the Aqueduct Race Track.
On January 23, 2010, Jay-Z released "Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)", a collaborative track featuring Rihanna, U2's Bono and The Edge. The song was also performed at the "Hope For Haiti Now" telethon, contributing to the relief efforts following the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
On March 9, 2010, Jay-Z and Flake withdrew from the Aqueduct Entertainment Group consortium which had been awarded a contract to operate a racino at the Aqueduct Race Track.
June 2010 marked the announcement of a collaborative concert series featuring Eminem and Jay-Z, titled "The Home & Home Tour." The initial two shows in Detroit and New York City sold out quickly, leading to the addition of extra dates at each venue due to popular demand.
On September 23, 2010, Q-Tip revealed that he was collaborating with Jay-Z on his upcoming studio album, intended as a follow-up to "The Blueprint 3." The album was expected to release by spring 2011, although the timeline later shifted.
Beginning in November 2010 in Auckland, New Zealand, Jay-Z joined U2 as a supporting act on the Australian and New Zealand leg of their "U2 360° Tour."
Starting in November 2010, recording sessions for the collaborative album "Watch the Throne" by Jay-Z and Kanye West commenced at various studios. Initially intended as a five-track EP, the project eventually evolved into a full-length LP.
On November 16, 2010, Jay-Z published his memoir, "Decoded", which was co-signed by Dream Hampton.
In 2010, Jay-Z announced plans to expand his 40/40 Club sports bar chain to up to 20 airports, partnering with Roc Nation business partners, Juan and Desiree Perez, in a deal with Delaware North.
In 2010, Jay-Z addressed various aspects of his life, including the stabbing incident, in his book 'Decoded'.
During the 2010 mid-term elections, Jay-Z appeared with other artists in a HeadCount advertisement urging younger voters to register and vote.
On April 5, 2011, Jay-Z launched Life + Times, an online magazine focusing on popular culture and lifestyle. The magazine showcased Jay-Z's interest in clothing, appliances, and cars, targeting an upwardly mobile young male demographic.
Jay-Z successfully outbid other music executives to acquire the independent record label Block Starz Music in April 2011.
At the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, Beyoncé announced her pregnancy with their first child.
In 2011, Jay-Z and Kanye West delivered a surprise performance of "Otis", a single from their collaborative album "Watch the Throne", at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Jay-Z and Kanye West teamed up to release the collaborative album "Watch the Throne" in 2011, a landmark moment in hip hop.
Throughout 2011, anticipation for Jay-Z's next album continued to build, with publications like Complex Magazine, MTV, and XXL listing it among the most anticipated albums of the coming year.
On January 7, 2012, Beyoncé and Jay-Z's daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, was born at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.
Jay-Z released "Glory", a song dedicated to Blue Ivy, on January 9, 2012, through his Life+Times website. The song, produced by the Neptunes, revealed the couple's past struggles with pregnancy, including a miscarriage.
By February 2012, Jay-Z's sixth studio album, The Blueprint, had sold 2.7 million copies worldwide. This marked a significant commercial success for the album, which had been released on September 11, 2001, and had already achieved double platinum certification.
In May 2012, Jay-Z was announced as the curator and headliner for the inaugural "Budweiser Made in America" festival, a multi-genre music event scheduled for September 1-2, 2012, at Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. The festival, produced by Live Nation, showcased a diverse lineup of rock, hip hop, R&B, Latin music, and dance artists.
Reports surfaced in May 2012 that Jay-Z was working on new music with Roc Nation producer Jahlil Beats. Beats confirmed their collaboration, indicating Jay-Z's interest in several of his beats.
In May 2012, Jay-Z endorsed President Obama's support of same-sex marriage and participated in his re-election campaign.
On October 6, 2012, in a move highlighting his down-to-earth persona, Jay-Z opted to take the subway to his sold-out concert at The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Coldplay announced on November 12, 2012, their plans to perform with Jay-Z at The Barclays Center in Brooklyn on December 31.
Jay-Z played a role in encouraging the Nets' move from New Jersey to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the 2012-2013 NBA season. The team then became known as the Brooklyn Nets.
On April 2, 2013, Jay-Z launched Roc Nation Sports, a sports management group partnered with Creative Artists Agency, focusing on representing professional athletes. Robinson Canó, New York Yankees's second baseman, was the first to sign with the company. Jay-Z also planned to become a certified sports agent himself.
Jay-Z's part-ownership of the Brooklyn Nets NBA team, which began in 2003, saw its value decline to $350,000 in April 2013, according to Forbes magazine.
Jay-Z officially announced he was giving up his ownership stake in the Brooklyn Nets. The shares were sold to Will Pan, making him the first Taiwanese American to own a US professional sports franchise.
On July 4, 2013, Jay-Z released his twelfth studio album, "Magna Carta Holy Grail." He also officially changed his stage name, dropping the hyphen and styling it in all capital letters. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
Jay-Z sold his stake in the Barclays Center for $1.5 million in September 2013.
In December 2013, Jay-Z received nine nominations for the 2014 Grammy Awards, more than any other artist that year.
Throughout 2013, anticipation for Jay-Z's next album continued to build, with publications like Complex Magazine, MTV, and XXL listing it among the most anticipated albums of the coming year.
Jay-Z's influence was recognized globally in 2013 when Time magazine included him in their list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
In 2013, it was revealed by author dream hampton that Jay-Z had secretly established a trust fund for Sean Bell's children.
In 2013 Funkmaster Flex was contacted by Life + Times for a story about a digital app he was developing.
The subscription-based music streaming service Tidal, later acquired by Jay-Z, officially launched in October 2014.
In 2014, Jay-Z appeared on his wife Beyoncé's self-titled fifth studio album on the song "Drunk in Love." They performed the song together at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. In 2016, he won a lawsuit alongside Kanye West and Frank Ocean against Joel McDonald regarding the song "Made in America."
In 2014, Jay-Z purchased a 100% stake in Armand de Brignac champagne for $200 million. This was his second major alcoholic product acquisition.
In January 2015, DJ and radio host Funkmaster Flex alleged that information he shared with Life + Times in 2013 about a digital app he created was used to develop the Magna Carta Samsung app for Jay-Z's album "Magna Carta Holy Grail".
In March 2015, Jay-Z completed the $56 million acquisition of Aspiro, the parent company of the music streaming service Tidal. The service aimed to create a platform owned by artists, allowing them to receive greater revenue.
In July 2015, Jay-Z invested in JetSmarter, an app for booking private jet flights, founded by Sergey Petrossov.
Jay-Z acquired the technology company Aspiro in 2015 and spearheaded the expansion of Tidal, a media streaming service, demonstrating his forward-thinking approach to business.
The song "Drunk in Love" by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z won three Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Performance, at the 2015 ceremony.
In 2015, Jay-Z donated to bail out protestors who were arrested during activism against police brutality.
In 2016, Jay-Z and Beyoncé appeared at a Hillary Clinton rally in Cleveland, where Clinton praised Jay-Z for addressing racism and oppression.
In 2016, Jay-Z signed a two-year exclusive film and TV deal with The Weinstein Company to create scripted and unscripted TV and film projects. As part of the deal, he produced a documentary series about Kalief Browder, who committed suicide after being imprisoned for three years, and addressed racial profiling and police brutality.
In June 2017, posters and online banner ads began promoting a Tidal-related project titled "4:44." A teaser ad aired during the NBA Finals, featuring actors Mahershala Ali, Lupita Nyong'o, and Danny Glover. On June 18th, "4:44" was confirmed to be a new Jay-Z album.
On June 18, 2017, Mathew Knowles, Beyoncé's father, confirmed the birth of her twins, Rumi and Sir, with Jay-Z.
Jay-Z's "4:44" album was released in 2017.
On June 6, 2018, Jay-Z and Beyoncé started their On the Run II Tour in Cardiff, United Kingdom. At their final London show on June 16, 2018, they released their joint studio album, "Everything Is Love," under the name The Carters. The lead single, "Apeshit," was released on the same day.
Jay-Z and his wife Beyoncé released the joint album "Everything Is Love" in 2018, a testament to their creative partnership.
In 2019, Jay-Z's album The Blueprint was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry. The album was recognized for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant," cementing its legacy in the music industry.
Jay-Z achieved a significant milestone in 2019 by becoming the first hip-hop billionaire, solidifying his influence as an entrepreneur.
In March 2020, Jay-Z donated $1 million through the Shawn Carter Foundation to aid relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York.
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.
In August 2020, Jay-Z's Roc Nation partnered with Long Island University in Brooklyn to establish the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment.
In November 2020, it was announced that Jay-Z would be joining TPCO Holding Corp., a new cannabis products company, as the "Chief Visionary Officer".
In 2021, Jay-Z was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside LL Cool J. He also collaborated on Kanye West's song "Jail" from the album "Donda", which won a Grammy for Best Rap Song. Additionally, he appeared on Drake's "Love All" from the album "Certified Lover Boy."
On December 5, 2022, Jay-Z and Roc Nation announced a partnership with Caesars Entertainment to build and operate a casino in Times Square.
In 2022, Jay-Z was featured on Pusha T's "Neck & Wrist" and DJ Khaled's "God Did." He also won a Primetime Emmy Award as a producer for the Super Bowl LVI halftime show.
In 2023, Jay-Z and Beyoncé bought a house designed by architect Tadao Ando in Malibu, California for $200 million, setting a record for the most expensive residence sold in California.
In 2023, Jay-Z was named the greatest rapper of all time by Billboard and Vibe, recognizing his significant contributions to the music industry.
In 2023, Lance "Un" Rivera stated that Jay-Z was not the person who stabbed him in 1999, contradicting previous claims.
As of 2024, Jay-Z is recognized as the wealthiest musical artist globally, with a net worth of US$2.5 billion, signifying his unparalleled success.