Jay-Z is an American rapper, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, record executive, and billionaire. He is considered among the best rapper of all time and also regarded as one of the world's most significant cultural icons for over two decades. Forbes named his world's first billionaire rappers in 2019. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time and has sold over 100 million records worldwide.
- One of the most influential rappers in the world.
- First rapper billionaire in the world.
- Successful businessman and entrepreneur.
- Married to world popular American singer, Beyonce.
Jay-Z was born on 4 December 1969. His birth name is Shawn Corey Carter. His birth place is in New York City, New York in the United States. He holds American nationality.
He was born to a father, Adnis Reeves, and a mother, Gloria Carter. He has three siblings. His father abandoned them at an early age. Thus, they were raised by their mother.
He attended Eli Whitney High School in Brooklyn along with future rapper AZ. He then attended George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School along with future rappers The Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes. He briefly attended Trenton Central Central High School in Trenton, New Jersey. He did not graduate.
He later claimed in his lyrics and interviews that he sold crack cocaine at his youth. He also stated that he was shot at three times and once shot his older brother in the shoulder for stealing his jewelry.
Jay-Z is a married man. He is married to popular American singer Beyonce. They kept a low profile while dating. The couple tied a knot to each other in April 2008. The couple has 3 children together, Blue Ivy Carter, Rumi, and Sir.
Jay-Z has released 13 solo studio albums to date. He has also released four collaboration albums, one live album, five compilation albums, one soundtrack album, two extended plays, one hundred and fifteen singles.
He has also released nine promotional singles and eighty-two music videos.
He has featured 45 artists in many of his songs.
He started his music career in the 1980s and his mentor was Jaz-O. He collaborated with Jaz-O during his early career. He picked the stage name "Jay-Z" in homage to his mentor Jaz-O.
His first official rap single was "In My Lifetime" and he released his debut album, Reasonable Doubt in 1996.
His studio albums are
- Reasonable Doubt (1996)
- In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997)
- Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life (1998)
- Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter (1999)
- The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (2000)
- The Blueprint (2001)
- The Blueprint2: The Gift & the Curse (2002)
- The Black Album (2003)
- Kingdom Come (2006)
- American Gangster (2007)
- The Blueprint 3 (2009)
- Magna Carta Holy Grail (2013)
- 4:44 (2017)
Jay-Z has headlined 7 tours from 1999 to 2017. Jay-Z headlining tours are Hard Knock Life Tour (1999), Blueprint Lounge Tour (2001), Hangar Tour (2006), American Gangster Live (2007), Jay-Z Fall Tour/Blueprint 3 Tour (2009–2010), Magna Carter World Tour (2013–14), and 4:44 Tour (2017).
He co-headlined several tours with R. Kelly, Mary j. Blige, 50 Cent, Eminem, Ciara, Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, and his wife Beyonce.
Jay-Z is one of the most successful rappers, businessman, and entrepreneur in the entertainment industry. Having sold over 100 million records worldwide, he has also earned hundreds of millions via his involvement in business ventures. Forbes estimated his net worth $1 billion in 2019 making him the first rapper billionaire in the world.