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Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. Known for his involvement in the success of other artists, he was named the greatest rapper of all time by Billboard and Vibe in 2023.
- Who Is Jay-Z?
- Early Life
- Rise to Hip-Hop Fame
- Rap Comeback
- Rocawear, Tidal & Other Business Ventures
- '4:44'
- OTR II and 'Everything Is Love'
- Political and Charitable Work
- NFL Partnership
- Personal Life
Jay-Z is an American rapper, songwriter and producer who grew up in Brooklyn's drug-infested Marcy Projects. He used rap as an escape, appearing for the first time on Yo! MTV Raps in 1989. After selling millions of records with his Roc-a-Fella label, Jay-Z created his own clothing line and founded an entertainment company. He wed popular singer and...
Rapper Jay-Z was born Shawn Corey Carter on December 4, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York. "He was the last of my four children," Jay-Z's mother, Gloria Carter, later recalled, "the only one who didn't give me any pain when I gave birth to him, and that's how I knew he was a special child." His father, Adnes Reeves, left the family when Jay-Z was only 11...
Carter turned to rap at a young age as an escape from the drugs, violence and poverty that surrounded him in the Marcy Projects. In 1989, he joined the rapper Jaz-O — an older performer who served as a kind of mentor — to record a song called "The Originators," which won the pair an appearance on an episode of Yo! MTV Raps. It was at this point tha...
In 2006, Jay-Z ended his retirement from making music, releasing the new album Kingdom Come. He soon released two more albums: American Gangster in 2007 and Blueprint 3 in 2009. This trio of albums marked a significant departure from Jay-Z's earlier sound, incorporating stronger rock and soul influences in their production and offering lyrics that ...
During his hiatus from rapping, Jay-Z turned his attention to the business side of music, becoming president of Def Jam Recordings. As president of Def Jam, Jay-Z signed such popular acts as Rihannaand Ne-Yo, and helped West's transition from producer to a best-selling recording artist. But his reign at the venerable hip-hop label wasn't all smooth...
On June 15, 2017, Jay-Z became the first rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He tweeted about the honor: “I remember when rap was said to be a fad. We are now alongside some of the greatest writers in history.” Later that month, on June 30, Jay-Z released his 13th solo album, 4:44, exclusively to Tidal and Sprint subscribers. I...
Soon afterward, the hip-hop king announced that he and Beyoncé were teaming up for the OTR II Tour that summer, an extension of their 2014 effort. The tour kicked off in Cardiff, Wales, on June 6, and 10 days later, the couple gave their fans another reason to get excited with the release of a joint album, Everything Is Love. Initially available fo...
After staying out of the political arena for much of his career, Jay-Z emerged as a strong supporter of Obama during his first campaign for president in 2008. He appeared at rallies and had only high praise for the African American candidate. During one rally, Jay-Z told the crowd that "Rosa Parks sat so that Martin Luther Kingcould walk. Martin Lu...
In August 2019, Jay-Z and the National Football League announced a partnership in which Roc Nation would advise on entertainment selections for NFL promotional spots and events, including the Super Bowl. Additionally, the two sides agreed to work together on social activism efforts through the NFL's Inspire Change initiative. The announcement was c...
Very protective of his private life, Jay-Z did not publicly discuss his relationship with longtime girlfriend, popular singer and actress Beyoncé, for years. The couple even managed to keep the press away from their small wedding, which was held on April 4, 2008, in New York City. Only about 40 people attended the celebration at Jay-Z's penthouse a...
Watch official music videos, live performances, and releases of JAY-Z, the 21-time GRAMMY winner and hip-hop icon. Explore his discography, from The Blueprint to 4:44, and his collaborations with Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, and more.
3 days ago · JAY-Z, American rapper and entrepreneur, one of the most influential figures in hip-hop in the 1990s and early 21st century. His songs included ‘Izzo (H.O.V.A.),’ ‘99 Problems,’ ‘Empire State of Mind,’ ‘No Church in the Wild,’ and ‘Holy Grail.’. He also had a portfolio of business ventures.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- 3 min
- Christopher R. Weingarten,Elias Leight,Mosi Reeves,Al Shipley,Jason Newman,Christina Lee,David Drake,Maura Johnston,Dan Hyman
- "Where I'm From" (1997) Producer Ron “Amen-Ra” Lawrence was record-hunting in 1996 when he found soul singer Yvonne Fair’s “Let Your Hair Down” and tried, as he tells Rolling Stone, “giving it a sinister soundtrack feel.”
- "Dead Presidents II" (1996) Released in February 1996, the original “Dead Presidents” found Jay-Z twisting lyrics about fake thugs “scared to throw your toast,” and spouting claims about “representing infinity with presidencies,” all in a deftly loquacious style that bore the hallmarks of peak Mafioso rap.
- "Big Pimpin'" feat. UGK (2000) When the Mariah Carey-stamped single “Things That U Do” failed to pick up on the charts in its first two months as a single off Jay’s Vol.
- "99 Problems" (2004) Jay-Z paid Rick Rubin a visit to “recapture that feeling I had when I was a kid,” as he explained in documentary Fade to Black. What came out of that session did have vintage heavy metal riffery reminiscent of Rubin’s Eighties work with LL Cool J and Beastie Boys, but lyrically it was a blistering, modern-day critique, taking aim at those who demonize him as a black man and rapper.
Learn about JAY-Z, the 24-time GRAMMY winner and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, who has also achieved success in business, sports and philanthropy. Explore his music, his Roc Nation label and his TIDAL streaming service.
Feb 6, 2023 · Jay-Z joined DJ Khaled and other stars for the first live rendition of the Grammy-nominated track, after a long hiatus from the Grammys stage. The rap legend delivered a lengthy verse touching on his career and The War on Drugs.
