Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation.
Shawn Corey Carter
December 4, 1969
He is professionally known as Jay-Z, is an iconic American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur born on December 4, 1969. Widely acknowledged as one of the greatest rappers in history, his influence extends beyond his own career, contributing significantly to the success of artists such as Kanye West, Rihanna, and J. Cole. He’s also the mastermind behind the entertainment powerhouse Roc Nation and previously served as the president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings from 2004 to 2007.
Jay-Z’s roots lie in New York City, where he launched his music journey in the late 1980s. He co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records in 1995 and made his mark with his debut studio album, “Reasonable Doubt,” in 1996, earning widespread critical acclaim. Over the years, he’s released a remarkable thirteen additional albums, including standout works like “The Blueprint” (2001), “The Black Album” (2003), “American Gangster” (2007), and “4:44” (2017). Collaborative projects with Kanye West (“Watch the Throne” in 2011) and his wife Beyoncé (“Everything Is Love” in 2018) have also left a lasting impact.
Jay-Z’s entrepreneurial prowess has propelled him to the status of the first hip-hop billionaire in 2019. His ventures include founding Rocawear, a prominent clothing retailer, in 1999, and establishing the upscale bar chain, 40/40 Club, in 2003. These businesses evolved into multi-million-dollar enterprises, allowing him to launch Roc Nation in 2008. In 2015, he acquired the tech company Aspiro and led Tidal, a prominent media streaming service. In 2020, he ventured into the cannabis industry with the launch of Monogram. As of 2023, Jay-Z stands as the world’s wealthiest musical artist, with a net worth of US$2.5 billion, according to CNBC.
Jay-Z’s musical legacy is equally impressive, with over 140 million records sold, 24 Grammy Awards, jointly holding the record for the most Grammy awards of any rapper alongside Kanye West. He also boasts the record for the most number-one albums (14) by any solo artist on the Billboard 200 chart. His accolades include the NAACP’s President’s Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Sports Emmy Award, and a Tony Award nomination. Billboard and Rolling Stone have recognized him as one of the 100 greatest artists of all time, and he’s the first rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Additionally, he’s the first solo living rapper inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2013, Time included him in its list of the “100 Most Influential People in the World,” and in 2023, both Billboard and Vibe crowned him as the greatest rapper of all time.
At the 20th Anniversary Gala held in New York on Friday, July 14, 2023, Sean Carter, along with his mother Gloria, achieved a remarkable feat. The event, organized by Jay-Z’s Shawn Carter Foundation, successfully raised an impressive $20 million in funds. These substantial resources will play a crucial role in assisting individuals who are confronting socioeconomic challenges in their pursuit of higher education.