Jay-Z
WHO IS JAY-Z?
Jay-Z is not just an ordinary rapper; he is a legend in the music industry, whose name is synonymous with excellence, innovation, and creativity. He has consistently pushed the boundaries of rap music, blending genres and sounds to create a unique sound that has inspired countless artists and captivated millions of fans around the world.
Jay-Z’s impact goes beyond his music. He is a visionary entrepreneur, who has successfully navigated the business world and turned his talent into a multi-million dollar empire. He co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records, a label that has produced some of the most iconic rap albums of all time, and also launched Rocawear, a clothing line that became a global brand. In 2015, he acquired the music streaming service Tidal, which he has since transformed into a platform that prioritizes artist ownership and fair compensation.
Jay-Z is not just a successful businessman; he is also a passionate advocate for social justice and equality. He has used his platform to raise awareness about issues such as police brutality, mass incarceration, and education reform. He has also established the Shawn Carter Foundation, which provides scholarships and educational opportunities to young people in need.
Overall, Jay-Z is an icon of the culture, a pioneer in the music industry, and a powerful voice for change. His music, his businesses, and his philanthropy have all contributed to his enduring legacy and have made him an inspiration to millions of people around the world.
WHAT IS JAY-Z'S REAL NAME?
Shawn Corey Carter
WHEN WAS JAY-Z BORN?
Jay-Z was born on December 4, 1969, in the Marcy Houses housing project in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighbourhood of Brooklyn, New York City, USA.
WHAT IS JAY-Z'S NET WORTH?
In 2022, Forbes estimated Jay-Z’s net worth at $1.4 billion. This includes a lengthy investment portfolio including the likes of Uber; plus his own ventures in music streaming, Tidal, his joint venture with Bacardi into cognac, D’Ussé and of course his ubiquitous Roc Nation entertainment company, on top of real estate and an extensive music catalog. He currently leads in the current rapper’s net worth arms race.
HOW OLD IS JAY-Z?
Jay-Z is 53 years old.
HOW TALL IS JAY-Z?
Jay-Z is 6′ 2″ tall.
WHAT ARE JAY-Z'S MOST FAMOUS SONGS?
Jay-Z has many famous songs over the course of his long and successful career. Here are some of his most well-known and iconic tracks:
“Empire State of Mind” (featuring Alicia Keys)“99 Problems”“Big Pimpin'” (featuring UGK)“Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)”“Run This Town” (featuring Rihanna and Kanye West)“Dirt Off Your Shoulder”“Izzo (H.O.V.A.)”“N***** in Paris” (with Kanye West)“Crazy In Love” (with Beyoncé)“Can I Get A…” (featuring Ja Rule and Amil)
These are just a few examples of Jay-Z’s most popular songs, and he has many other classic tracks throughout his discography.
WHAT ARE JAY-Z'S CHILDREN NAMED?
Jay-Z and his wife, Beyoncé, have three children together:
Blue Ivy Carter, born on January 7, 2012
Rumi Carter, born on June 13, 2017
Sir Carter, born on June 13, 2017
Blue Ivy is the couple’s first child, and the twins Rumi and Sir were born in 2017.
WHAT IS THE NAME OF JAY-Z'S RECORD LABEL?
Jay-Z was one of the founding members of label Roc-A-Fella records in 1995, along with Damon “Dame” Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke. It began as an independent label for Jay-Z’s first album.
In 1997, Roc-A-Fella agreed to a 50/50 partnership and distribution deal with Def Jam. Shortly after the release of Kanye West’s debut album, the trio sold their remaining 50% share to The Island Def Jam Music Group.
HOW MANY GRAMMY'S DOES JAY Z HAVE?
Jay-Z has won a total of 23 Grammy Awards over the course of his career. He is one of the most decorated artists in Grammy history, with wins in a variety of categories, including Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Some of his most notable wins include Album of the Year for “The Blueprint 3” in 2010, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for “99 Problems” in 2005, and Best Music Video for “Formation” (with Beyoncé) in 2017.
DOES JAY-Z OWN THE NETS?
Jay-Z was a minority owner of the Brooklyn Nets, a professional basketball team in the National Basketball Association (NBA), from 2004 to 2013. In 2004, he purchased a small stake in the team and became the face of the Nets franchise, helping to promote the team and bring more attention to their games. In 2013, he sold his stake in the team in order to start a sports agency called Roc Nation Sports, which represents a number of professional athletes. Although he is no longer an owner of the Nets, Jay-Z remains involved in sports through his agency and his various business ventures.
LATE 1980S
A young Shawn Carter earns the name “Jazzy” in his neighborhood after beating out drum rhythms at home and freestyling.
1989
Carter joins rapper and mentor Jaz-O to record “The Originators.” The track won the pair an appearance on an episode of Yo! MTV Raps, where he embraced the moniker Jay-Z as a reference to both his mentor, and his childhood nickname.
1996
Jay-Z, Damon Dash, and Kareem Burke found their own record label – Roc-a-Fella Records.
Reasonable Doubt is released, marking Carter’s billboard chart debut. The second single to be released, “Ain’t No N-G-A (Like the One I Got)” became gold-certified, marking the move of the hip-hop scene into a more refined style and cementing the rapper as a rising star in the game.
1998
Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life is released on Roc-A-Fella, with its hit single sampling the chorus from Broadway musical Annie.
1999
Jay-Z and Dash establish Rocawear clothing.
2001
The Blueprint is released. It has been included twice in Rolling Stone’s 500 Great Albums of All Time list.
2003
Jay-Z shocks the music world announcing that The Black Album would be his last.
2006
A short lived retirement sees Jay-Z return with Kingdom Come.
2007
Carter’s 10th studio album American Gangster is released. Inspired by the movie of the same name, it is littered with references and includes memories of the rapper’s early Brooklyn life.
Jay-Z announces his resignation as Def Jam president.
2008
Jay-Z marries Beyoncé after they began dating in 2001. The couple are known for their unparalleled collabs and the privacy around their personal life.
Jay-Z signs a $150 million contract with the concert promotion company Live Nation to create a joint venture, Roc Nation.
Carter comes out in support of Barack Obama during his presidential campaign. Joined by wife Beyoncé, the pair sing “America the Beautiful” at Obama’s swearing-in ceremony.
2009
The Blueprint 3 is released, bagging a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album.
2010
Jay-Z publishes his memoir, Decoded.
2011
Carter releases Watch the Throne with former Roc-A-Fella protegé Kanye West. It tops the rap, R&B and pop charts shortly after its release and garners multiple Grammy nominations.
2013
Jay-Z returns with Magna Carter Holy Grail and drops the hyphen from his name. The album, made free to Samsung phone users days before its release, became the rapper’s 13th release to land at number one on the Billboard 200, producing two Grammy wins.
2015
Jay-Z launches music streaming service Tidal after purchasing the service from Norwegian company Aspiro for a reported $56m.
The rapper holds the first Tidal charity concert starring Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, and Usher among others.
2017
Jay-Z becomes the first rapper to be inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Carter releases his 13th solo album, 4:44 exclusively to Tidal subscribers. It was certified platinum less than a week after its release.
2018
Jay-Z is executive producer on Rest In Power: The Trayvon Martin Story.
The Carter’s drop a surprise album, Everything is Love.
The video for single “APESHIT” is released, with a video depicting the duo in the Louvre in Paris. It received eight nominations at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards.
2019
Jay-Z’s 2001 album The Blueprint enters the National Recording Registry for 2018.
Jay-Z is named by Forbes as the first billionaire rap artist, citing his ownership stakes in Armand de Brignac champagne and Uber as contributing factors.
2020 - 2023
Tidal’s Black Lives Matter playlist – In 2020, amid the nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism, Jay-Z’s music streaming service Tidal released a Black Lives Matter playlist featuring music from Black artists that addressed the struggles and experiences of the Black community.
The sale of Tidal to Square – In March 2021, Jay-Z sold a majority stake in Tidal to the digital payments company Square. The sale was seen as a significant moment in the evolution of the music streaming industry, as it represented a growing convergence between music and financial technology.
Jay-Z’s collaboration with Pharrell on “Entrepreneur” – In August 2020, Jay-Z collaborated with Pharrell Williams on the track “Entrepreneur,” which celebrates Black entrepreneurship and highlights the need for systemic change and investment in Black-owned businesses.
Roc Nation’s social justice initiatives – Jay-Z’s entertainment company Roc Nation has been involved in a number of social justice initiatives over the past few years, including partnering with the NFL to launch a social justice platform and establishing a criminal justice reform organization called Team ROC.
Jay-Z’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – In 2021, Jay-Z was announced as one of the inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant contributions to the music industry as a rapper, songwriter, and producer.
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