History of Jay-Z in Timeline
Jay-Z, born Shawn Corey Carter, is a highly influential American rapper, businessman, and record executive. Widely regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time, he's celebrated for his intricate lyricism, wordplay, and the 'rags-to-riches' story woven throughout his music. He held executive roles at Def Jam Recordings and later founded Roc Nation, demonstrating his entrepreneurial acumen within the entertainment industry.
December 4, 1969: Jay-Z's Birth
On December 4, 1969, Shawn Corey Carter, who would later be known as Jay-Z, was born. He is an American rapper, businessman, and record executive.
1982: Shot Brother
In 1982, at age 12, Jay-Z allegedly shot his older brother Eric in the shoulder for stealing his jewelry.
1988: Collaboration and Relationship Building with Irv Gotti
In 1988, while working on the album Word to the Jaz in London, Jay-Z and 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 to release his music.
1994: First Wide Audience
In 1994, Jay-Z first became known to a wide audience on the posse cut "Show and Prove" on the Big Daddy Kane album Daddy's Home.
1994: Alleged Police Stop
In 1994, Jay-Z was allegedly stopped by an NYPD detective while en route to I-95, possibly for a search of drugs in his car.
1995: Release of 'In My Lifetime'
In 1995, Jay-Z's first official rap single, "In My Lifetime", was released with an accompanying music video.
1995: Founded Roc-A-Fella Records
In 1995, Jay-Z, along with Damon "Dame" Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, created Roc-A-Fella Records as an independent label.
1996: Released 'Reasonable Doubt'
In 1996, Jay-Z released his debut album 'Reasonable Doubt' through Roc-A-Fella Records, which reached number 23 on the Billboard 200 and went gold that year.
1997: New Label Distribution Deal with Def Jam
In 1997, Jay-Z reached a new label distribution deal with Def Jam and released his follow-up In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, which earned platinum status in the United States.
1997: Release of 'In My Lifetime, Vol. 1'
In 1997, Jay-Z released his second studio album, 'In My Lifetime, Vol. 1', which was also met with critical acclaim.
1997: Reference to Shooting Brother
Jay-Z claims in his lyrics to "You Must Love Me", the closing track on his 1997 album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, that in 1982, at age 12, he shot his older brother Eric in the shoulder for stealing his jewelry.
1998: Released 'Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life'
In 1998, Jay-Z released 'Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life', which spawned the hit single "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)".
December 2, 1999: Stabbing Incident at Kit Kat Klub
On December 2, 1999, Jay-Z allegedly stabbed record executive Lance "Un" Rivera at the Kit Kat Klub in Times Square, New York City, during a release party for Q-Tip's album Amplified, believing Rivera was behind the bootlegging of Vol. 3....
1999: Co-founded Rocawear
In 1999, Jay-Z co-founded the clothing retailer Rocawear.
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," achieving his first chart-topper in the U.S. He also released 'Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter'.
1999: Stabbing Incident at Kit Kat Klub
In 1999, Jay-Z stabbed record producer Lance Rivera at the Kit Kat Klub in New York City.
January 2000: Indictment and Plea of Not Guilty
In late January 2000, Jay-Z was indicted in Manhattan Criminal Court, pleading not guilty to the stabbing of Lance Rivera; he and his lawyers claimed to have evidence proving he was not near Rivera during the incident.
2000: Released 'The Dynasty: Roc La Familia'
In 2000, Jay-Z released 'The Dynasty: Roc La Familia', which was originally intended to become a compilation album for Roc-A-Fella artists.
2000: Alleged Incident at MTV Video Music Awards After-Party
In 2000, Jay-Z was accused, along with Sean "Diddy" Combs, in a civil lawsuit, of an incident at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party.
September 11, 2001: Release of 'The Blueprint'
On September 11, 2001, Jay-Z released his sixth studio album, 'The Blueprint', which received a five-mic review from hip-hop magazine The Source.
October 2001: Pleaded Guilty to Aggravated Assault
In October 2001, Jay-Z pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for stabbing record producer Lance Rivera at the Kit Kat Klub in New York City in 1999.
2001: Release of 'The Blueprint'
In 2001, Jay-Z released 'The Blueprint', which debuted atop the Billboard 200.
2001: Feud with Prodigy and Nas
In 2001, Jay-Z spoke out against Prodigy and performed "Takeover", a diss track. This led to a feud with Nas after Nas criticized Jay-Z, escalating with further diss tracks and performances.
2001: Nas Claims Jay-Z Was Not Rivera's Stabber
In 2001, Rapper Nas, who feuded with Jay-Z in the early 2000s, had also claimed in his 2001 diss track "Ether" that Jay-Z was not Rivera's stabber.
2002: Collaboration on "'03 Bonnie & Clyde"
In 2002, Jay-Z and singer Beyoncé Knowles collaborated on the song "'03 Bonnie & Clyde".
2002: Release of 'The Best of Both Worlds'
In 2002, Jay-Z released the collaborative album 'The Best of Both Worlds' with R. Kelly.
November 25, 2003: "Retirement Party" Concert at Madison Square Garden
On November 25, 2003, Jay-Z held a concert billed as a "retirement party" at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with all proceeds going to charity.
2003: Release of 99 Problems
According to his second verse on "99 Problems", released in 2003, Jay-Z was allegedly stopped by an NYPD detective in 1994 while en route to I-95, possibly for a search of drugs in his car.
2003: Shawn Carter Foundation Founded
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 Dangerously in Love
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, having paid a reported $1 million for his share.
2003: Endorsement Deal with Reebok
In 2003, Jay-Z became the first rapper in Reebok's history to endorse the company's footwear, signing a three-year deal and later appearing in a collection advertising his S. Carter Collection. He also appeared in a commercial with 50 Cent to promote their S. Carter and G-Unit footwear.
2003: Founded 40/40 Club
In 2003, Jay-Z founded the 40/40 Club, a luxury bar chain.
2003: Release of 'The Black Album'
In 2003, Jay-Z released 'The Black Album', which debuted atop the Billboard 200.
2003: Reconciliation with Father
Prior to his death in 2003, Jay-Z met and reconciled with his father, Adnis Reeves, who had abandoned the family when Jay-Z was 11 years old.
2004: President and CEO of Def Jam Recordings
In 2004, Jay-Z became president and chief executive officer of Def Jam Recordings.
2004: Collaboration with Linkin Park and Planned Retirement
In 2004, Jay-Z collaborated with Linkin Park, releasing the collaborative remix EP Collision Course. Jay-Z also planned to retire in 2004.
2004: Release of 'Unfinished Business' and 'Collision Course'
In 2004, Jay-Z released 'Unfinished Business' with R. Kelly and 'Collision Course' with Linkin Park.
2004: Named President of Def Jam Records
In 2004, Jay-Z was appointed president of Def Jam Records, leading to him, Dash, and Biggs selling their remaining interests in Roc-A-Fella Records. This move allowed Jay-Z to take control of both companies, reportedly due to disagreements with Dash about Roc-A-Fella's direction.
2004: Release of 'Fade to Black' Documentary
In 2004, Jay-Z's "retirement party" concert at Madison Square Garden was the focus of his documentary, 'Fade to Black'.
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 concert, Powerhouse, with the theme "I Declare War." The concert, held in New York, featured a mock-up of the Oval Office on stage and included appearances by Roc-A-Fella artists, Ne-Yo, Teairra Marí, T.I., Young Jeezy, Akon, Kanye West, Paul Wall, The LOX, and Diddy.
2005: End of Feud with Nas
By 2005, Jay-Z and Nas had ended their feud, reportedly with the help of record producer Mark Pitts.
2005: Investment in Carol's Daughter
In 2005, Jay-Z became an investor in Carol's Daughter, a line of beauty products.
2005: President of Def Jam Recordings
In 2005, Jay-Z became the president of Def Jam Recordings, launching the careers of Rihanna and Ne-Yo.
August 2006: Meeting with Kofi Annan to Address Global Water Shortage
In August 2006, Jay-Z met with Kofi Annan, then Secretary-General of the United Nations, pledging to use his upcoming world tour to raise awareness of the global water shortage, partnering with the UN and MTV.
October 2006: "Show Me What You Got" Leaked
In early October 2006, Jay-Z's comeback single, "Show Me What You Got", was leaked on the Internet. This led to heavy airplay and an FBI investigation due to the unauthorized release.
November 2006: Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life Documentary Airs
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 had strong sales, with 680,000 copies sold in the first week, becoming his biggest sales week ever. The album was eventually certified double platinum.
2006: Most Powerful Couple by Time Magazine
In 2006, Beyoncé and Jay-Z were listed as the most powerful couple for Time magazine's 100 most influential people.
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: Enstoolment as Sarkin Waka of Kwara
In 2006, Jay-Z was enstooled as the Sarkin Waka of Kwara in the Nigerian chieftaincy system.
2006: Reebok Deal Expiration
In 2006, Jay-Z's deal with Reebok expired and was not renewed.
2006: Ties to Armand de Brignac Champagne
In 2006, Jay-Z's ties with Armand de Brignac began, resulting in millions of dollars per year for his association with the brand before he eventually bought the entire company in 2014.
2006: Rocawear Taken Over by Jay-Z
In early 2006, Jay-Z took over the Rocawear clothing line following a falling out with Damon Dash.
March 2007: Rocawear Rights Sold
In March 2007, Jay-Z sold the rights to the Rocawear brand to Iconix Brand Group for $204 million, retaining a 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. The album, inspired by the Ridley Scott film of the same name, reflects his experiences as a street hustler. The album sold 1 million copies in the U.S.
2007: Departure from Def Jam and Roc Nation Venture
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: Departure from Def Jam Recordings
In 2007, Jay-Z ended his tenure as president and chief executive officer of Def Jam Recordings.
2007: Release of 'American Gangster'
In 2007, Jay-Z released 'American Gangster', which debuted atop the Billboard 200.
January 1, 2008: Resigned as President of Def Jam
On January 1, 2008, Jay-Z officially resigned from his position as president of Def Jam Records.
April 4, 2008: Marriage to Beyoncé Knowles
On April 4, 2008, Jay-Z married Beyoncé Knowles in a private ceremony in Tribeca, New York City.
April 22, 2008: Public Record of Marriage
On April 22, 2008, the relationship between Jay-Z and Beyoncé became a matter of public record.
June 2008: Hollywood's Top-Earning Couple Between June 2008-2009
Between June 2008 and June 2009, Beyoncé and Jay-Z were ranked as Hollywood's top-earning couple.
June 2008: Obama Praises Jay-Z's Thinking
In June 2008, Barack Obama praised Jay-Z's intellect and potential to positively shape attitudes.
August 6, 2008: Performance at Madison Square Garden
On August 6, 2008, Jay-Z joined Kanye West's concert at Madison Square Garden and performed a new song, announcing it would be on The Blueprint 3 album.
September 5, 2008: Beyoncé's Wedding Ring Debut
On September 5, 2008, Beyoncé publicly debuted her Lorraine Schwartz-designed wedding ring at the Fashion Rocks concert.
2008: Headlined Glastonbury Festival
In 2008, Jay-Z became the first major hip hop artist to headline Britain's Glastonbury Festival, sparking controversy with Noel Gallagher. Jay-Z responded by opening his set with a cover of Oasis's "Wonderwall" and delivering a well-received performance.
2008: Launched Roc Nation
In 2008, Jay-Z launched Roc Nation, a multi-disciplinary entertainment agency.
2008: 40/40 Club Closure in Las Vegas
In 2008, the 40/40 Club in Las Vegas was closed down and bought back by the hotel due to declining attendance.
January 2009: Hollywood's Top-Earning Couple
In January 2009, Forbes ranked Beyoncé and Jay-Z as Hollywood's top-earning couple, with a combined total of $162 million.
May 21, 2009: Parting ways with Def Jam and signing 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. He launched Roc Nation, a record label, talent/management agency, and music publishing company, and partnered with Stargate to start StarRoc.
June 2009: Hollywood's Top-Earning Couple Between June 2008-2009
Between June 2008 and June 2009, Beyoncé and Jay-Z were ranked as Hollywood's top-earning couple, with a combined total of US$122 million.
September 8, 2009: Release of "The Blueprint 3" in North America
Due to increased anticipation, Jay-Z's 11th studio album "The Blueprint 3" was released in North America on September 8, 2009, earlier than its originally planned release date of September 11. This album became his 11th to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
September 11, 2009: "The Blueprint 3" Original Release Date
Jay-Z's 11th studio album The Blueprint 3 was originally planned for release on September 11, 2009, but was released earlier, on September 8, due to increasing anticipation. The international release followed on September 14.
October 9, 2009: Tour for "The Blueprint 3" Kicks Off
On October 9, 2009, Jay-Z commenced his tour to support his new album, The Blueprint 3, beginning in North America. A review of his performance in Edmonton highlighted his smooth performance style.
November 8, 2009: Rihanna Joins Jay-Z On Stage
On November 8, 2009, at a concert at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion, Rihanna joined Jay-Z on stage. They performed "Hard" for the first time and also performed "Run This Town" together.
November 22, 2009: End of North American Tour
On November 22, 2009, Jay-Z concluded his North American tour in support of "The Blueprint 3."
2009: Release of 'Empire State of Mind'
In 2009, Jay-Z peaked the Billboard Hot 100 with his single "Empire State of Mind" featuring Alicia Keys.
January 2010: Involvement in Aqueduct Entertainment Group
In January 2010, Jay-Z, through Gain Global Investments Network LLC, held an interest in the Aqueduct Entertainment Group (AEG), 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.
September 23, 2010: Q-Tip Confirms Work on New Album
On September 23, 2010, Q-Tip confirmed he was working on Jay-Z's follow-up album to The Blueprint 3, with an expected release in spring 2011.
November 2010: Recording sessions for Watch the Throne
In November 2010, Jay-Z and Kanye West started recording sessions for Watch the Throne at various locations. The first single released was "H•A•M," co-produced by Lex Luger and West.
November 2010: Supporting Act for U2's 360° Tour
In November 2010, Jay-Z was the supporting act for U2 on the Australian and New Zealand leg of their U2 360° Tour, commencing in Auckland, New Zealand.
November 16, 2010: Publication of Decoded Memoir
On November 16, 2010, Jay-Z published his memoir entitled Decoded, co-written 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: Reference to the case in book Decoded
In 2010 Jay-Z addressed the case in his book Decoded.
2010: Expansion Plans for 40/40 Club
In 2010, Jay-Z announced plans to expand his 40/40 Club sports bar chain into as many as 20 airports, partnering with 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.
April 2011: Attempted Acquisition of Block Starz Music
In April 2011, it was reported that Jay-Z had outbid executives at Universal Music and Jive Records to acquire independent record label Block Starz Music.
2011: Pregnancy Announcement
At the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, Beyoncé revealed that she was pregnant with their first child.
2011: Surprise Performance at MTV Video Music Awards
In 2011, Jay-Z and Kanye West gave a surprise performance of "Otis" at the MTV Video Music Awards.
2011: Release of 'Watch the Throne'
In 2011, Jay-Z released the collaborative album 'Watch the Throne' with Kanye West.
2011: Expected Album Release
In 2011, a follow-up album to The Blueprint 3 was expected to be released, but the plan changed and album was released at a later date.
January 7, 2012: Birth of Blue Ivy Carter
On January 7, 2012, Beyoncé gave birth to their first child, Blue Ivy Carter, at New York's Lenox Hill Hospital.
January 9, 2012: Release of "Glory" Dedicated to Blue Ivy
On January 9, 2012, Jay-Z released "Glory", a song dedicated to Blue Ivy, detailing the couple's pregnancy struggles and including Blue Ivy's cries at the end.
February 2012: The Blueprint Album Sales
As of February 2012, Jay-Z's The Blueprint album had sold 2.7 million copies worldwide.
May 2012: Curator of "Budweiser Made in America" Festival
In May 2012, Jay-Z and 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 event featured a diverse lineup of musicians.
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: Collaboration with Roc Nation Producer Jahlil Beats
In May 2012, reports surfaced that Jay-Z would be collaborating on new music with Roc Nation producer Jahlil Beats. Beats mentioned that Jay-Z had selected some of his tracks to work on.
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.
December 2012: Performance with Coldplay at Barclays Center
In December 2012, Coldplay performed with Jay-Z at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
2012: Relocation of Nets to Brooklyn
In the 2012-2013 season, Jay-Z encouraged the Brooklyn Nets team's relocation to Brooklyn's Barclays Center from New Jersey, at which point the team took on the Brooklyn Nets moniker.
April 2, 2013: Launch of Roc Nation Sports
On April 2, 2013, Jay-Z launched his own sports agency, Roc Nation Sports, in partnership with Creative Artists Agency. New York Yankees's second baseman Robinson Canó signed with the company.
April 2013: Decline in Value of Brooklyn Nets Share
In April 2013, Jay-Z's share in the Brooklyn Nets NBA team, which he obtained in 2003, declined in value to $350,000, based on Forbes magazine's valuation of the team.
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. The shares were eventually sold to Will Pan.
July 4, 2013: Release of Magna Carta Holy Grail
On July 4, 2013, Jay-Z released his twelfth studio album, Magna Carta Holy Grail, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 528,000 copies in its first week.
July 2013: Legends of the Summer Stadium Tour
In July 2013, Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake embarked on the co-headlining Legends of the Summer Stadium Tour.
September 2013: Sale of Stake in Barclays Center
In September 2013, Jay-Z's stake in Barclays Center was sold for $1.5 million.
December 2013: Nine Grammy Nominations
In December 2013, Jay-Z received nine nominations at the 2014 Grammy Awards, which was more than any other artist that year.
2013: One of Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2013, Time named Jay-Z one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
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.
2013: Information Used to Launch Magna Carta Samsung App
In 2013, information Funkmaster Flex provided for a story about his digital app was allegedly used to help launch the Magna Carta Samsung app for Jay-Z's album in January 2015.
October 2014: Tidal's Operation Since October 2014
Since October 2014, Aspiro, a Norwegian media technology company has been operating the subscription-based music streaming service Tidal, before being acquired by Jay-Z in March 2015.
2014: Grammy Awards
In 2014, Jay-Z appeared on his wife Beyoncé's self-titled fifth studio album, Beyoncé, with a feature on the song "Drunk in Love". They performed this song together at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards opening.
2014: Investment in Armand de Brignac Champagne
In 2014, Jay-Z invested $200 million in Armand de Brignac champagne for a 100 percent stake, marking his second alcoholic product acquisition.
January 2015: Funkmaster Flex Reveals Information Use for Magna Carta Samsung App
In January 2015, Funkmaster Flex revealed that in 2013, information he provided for a story about his digital app was allegedly used to help launch the Magna Carta Samsung app for Jay-Z's album.
March 2015: Acquisition of Aspiro and Tidal
In March 2015, Jay-Z acquired Aspiro, the Norwegian media technology company operating the music streaming service Tidal, for $56 million through his company Project Panther Bidco Ltd.
July 2015: Investment in JetSmarter
In July 2015, Jay-Z made a significant investment in JetSmarter, an app for booking private executive plane flights developed by Sergey Petrossov.
2015: Acquired Aspiro and Led Tidal Expansion
In 2015, Jay-Z acquired the technology company Aspiro and led the expansion of Tidal, the company's media streaming service.
2015: Donation to Bail Out Protestors
In 2015, Jay-Z donated to bail out protestors arrested during activism against police brutality.
2015: Grammy Win
In 2015, the song "Drunk in Love" and its accompanying album, Beyoncé, won three Grammy Awards including Best R&B Performance at the ceremony.
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.
2016: Film and TV Deal with Weinstein Company
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, including a documentary series on Kalief Browder.
2016: "Made in America" Lawsuit Win
In 2016, Jay-Z won a lawsuit for the song "Made in America" with Kanye West featuring Frank Ocean against Joel McDonald.
June 2017: Promotion of Tidal Project "4:44"
In early June 2017, posters and banner ads promoted a Tidal project titled "4:44". A teaser ad aired during the NBA Finals on June 7, featuring actors in a video ending in "4:44 – 6.30.17, Exclusively on Tidal".
June 18, 2017: Birth of Twins, Rumi and Sir
On June 18, 2017, Beyoncé gave birth to twins with Jay-Z, a daughter named Rumi and a son named Sir.
2017: Release of '4:44'
In 2017, Jay-Z released '4:44', which debuted atop the Billboard 200.
June 6, 2018: Kick-Off of On the Run II Tour
On June 6, 2018, Jay-Z and Beyoncé started the On the Run II Tour in Cardiff, United Kingdom.
2018: Release of 'Everything Is Love'
In 2018, Jay-Z released the collaborative album 'Everything Is Love' with his wife Beyoncé.
2019: First Hip-Hop Billionaire
In 2019, Jay-Z became the first hip-hop billionaire.
2019: The Blueprint selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry
In 2019, Jay-Z's album The Blueprint was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
March 2020: Donation for COVID-19 Relief in New York
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: 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 assist in protecting prison inmates from COVID-19.
August 2020: Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment Partnership
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.
November 2020: Chief Visionary Officer at TPCO Holding Corp.
In November 2020, it was announced that Jay-Z would join TPCO Holding Corp., a newly formed cannabis products company, as "Chief Visionary Officer."
2021: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction and Album Appearances
In 2021, Jay-Z was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside LL Cool J. He also appeared on Kanye West's album Donda on the song "Jail", and on Drake's album Certified Lover Boy on the song "Love All".
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: Collaborations, Grammy Win, and Emmy Award
In 2022, Jay-Z collaborated with Pusha T on "Neck & Wrist" and made a guest appearance on DJ Khaled's "God Did." He also won a Primetime Emmy Award as a producer for the Super Bowl LVI halftime show.
2023: Rivera Recanted Allegations
Despite Jay-Z's sentence of three years probation for the crime, Rivera recanted the allegations in 2023.
2023: Purchase of Malibu House
In 2023, Jay-Z and Beyoncé purchased a house in Malibu, California, designed by Tadao Ando, for $200 million, setting a record for the most expensive residence sold in California.
2023: Named Greatest Rapper of All Time
In 2023, Jay-Z was named the greatest rapper of all time by Billboard and Vibe.
2023: Rivera Claims Jay-Z Did Not Stab Him
In 2023, Rivera stated that Jay-Z lied, and was not the one that stabbed him: "No. Jay-Z was not the guy that actually stabbed me that night (...) it's never been his history".
December 2024: Accusation of Rape in Civil Lawsuit
In December 2024, Jay-Z, along with Sean "Diddy" Combs, was accused in a civil lawsuit of raping a 13-year-old girl at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000. Jay-Z denied the allegations.
February 10, 2025: Lawsuit Filed Against Tony Buzbee
On February 10, 2025, Jay-Z filed a lawsuit against Tony Buzbee, stating he lost $20 million in contracts due to the allegations.
February 14, 2025: Lawsuit Against Jay-Z Officially Dropped
On February 14, 2025, the lawsuit against Jay-Z was officially dropped by Tony Buzbee and the accuser, with the case dismissed with prejudice, not allowing for a future refiling; Jay-Z described the outcome as "a victory."
February 2025: Jay-Z Drops Request to Sanction Tony Buzbee
In February 2025, Jay-Z dropped his request to have Tony Buzbee sanctioned by the court.
May 2025: Wealthiest Musical Artist
As of May 2025, Jay-Z is the wealthiest musical artist in the world with a net worth of US$2.5 billion.
2025: Plans to Relocate to the United Kingdom
In 2025, it was reported that Beyoncé and Jay-Z began planning 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.
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