Jay-Z, born Shawn Corey Carter on December 4, 1969, is an iconic American rapper, record producer, and successful entrepreneur. Renowned as one of the greatest rappers in history, he has played a pivotal role in the creative and commercial triumphs of artists like Kanye West, Rihanna, and J. Cole. As the founder and chairman of the entertainment company Roc Nation, Jay-Z’s influence in the music industry is undeniable. Previously, from 2004 to 2007, he served as the president and chief executive officer of Def Jam Recordings.
Raised in New York City, Jay-Z’s musical journey began in the late 1980s. In 1995, he co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records and released his debut studio album, Reasonable Doubt, in 1996, garnering significant critical acclaim. Throughout his career, he has released an impressive total of twelve albums, including notable works like The Blueprint (2001), The Black Album (2003), American Gangster (2007), and 4:44 (2017).
Collaborating with fellow artist Kanye West, Jay-Z released the well-received album Watch the Throne in 2011, and later, Everything Is Love alongside his wife Beyoncé in 2018.
Apart from his musical achievements, Jay-Z has made remarkable strides as an astute businessman. In 2019, he earned the distinction of becoming the first hip-hop billionaire. His entrepreneurial ventures include founding Rocawear, a successful clothing retailer in 1999, and establishing the luxury bar chain 40/40 Club in 2003. These ventures provided the foundation for the launch of Roc Nation in 2008.
Further expanding his portfolio, he acquired the tech company Aspiro in 2015 and assumed leadership of Tidal, the company’s media streaming service. In 2020, Jay-Z introduced Monogram, a line of premium cannabis products. His vast accomplishments culminate in a staggering net worth of US$2.5 billion as of 2023, making him the wealthiest musical artist globally, according to CNBC.
Jay-Z’s influence in the music industry is unparalleled, with over 140 million records sold, and an impressive collection of 24 Grammy Awards, sharing the record for the most Grammy wins with Kanye West among rappers.
Notably, he holds the record for the most number-one albums (14) by any solo artist on the Billboard 200 chart. His talent and impact have been recognized through various prestigious awards and honors, including the NAACP’s President’s Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Sports Emmy Award, and a Tony Award nomination.
Additionally, Billboard and Rolling Stone have recognized him among the 100 greatest artists of all time. Jay-Z’s pioneering contributions extend to being the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the first solo living rapper to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His widespread influence earned him a spot on Time’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” list in 2013.