JAY-Z
Biography
Shawn Corey Carter, known professionally as JAY-Z, is an American rapper, songwriter, record executive, and businessman. He was born on December 4, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in the Marcy Projects, a housing project in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. Raised by his mother, Gloria Carter, after his father, Adnis Reeves, left the family, JAY-Z's early life was marked by the challenges of his environment, which would later heavily influence his music. He attended high school with future hip-hop legends The Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes but did not graduate.
Music Career
JAY-Z's interest in music began at a young age, using rap as an escape. He adopted the stage name JAY-Z in homage to his mentor, rapper Jaz-O, and the J/Z subway lines near his home. In 1995, after facing rejection from major labels, he co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records with Damon Dash and Kareem Burke. The following year, he released his debut album, "Reasonable Doubt." While it wasn't an immediate commercial success, it is now considered a classic hip-hop album. His 1998 album, "Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life," and its title track brought him mainstream success, earning him his first Grammy nomination.
Throughout his career, JAY-Z has released numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums, including "The Blueprint" (2001), "The Black Album" (2003), and "4:44" (2017). He holds the record for the most number-one albums by a solo artist on the Billboard 200 chart. In 2017, JAY-Z became the first rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and in 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Business Ventures
JAY-Z's success extends far beyond the music industry. In 1999, he co-founded the clothing retailer Rocawear. He later founded the luxury sports bar chain the 40/40 Club in 2003. In 2008, he launched Roc Nation, a full-service entertainment company. A significant move in the tech industry came in 2015 when he acquired the parent company of the music streaming service Tidal. His diverse business portfolio also includes ventures in the liquor industry with Armand de Brignac champagne and D'Ussé cognac. These ventures contributed to him becoming the first hip-hop artist to become a billionaire in 2019.
President of Def Jam
From 2004 to 2007, JAY-Z served as the president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings. During his tenure, he played a key role in signing and nurturing the careers of successful artists like Rihanna, Ne-Yo, and Young Jeezy, and was instrumental in Kanye West's transition from producer to a best-selling recording artist.
Personal Life
In 2008, JAY-Z married superstar singer Beyoncé. The couple has three children: Blue Ivy, and twins Rumi and Sir. They have also collaborated on music, including the 2018 album "Everything Is Love," which they released as The Carters and won a Grammy for.