Jay-Z

Who2 Biography: Jay-Z, Rapper / Music Producer / Business Personality

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Born: 4 December 1969
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York
Best Known As: Rapper of "Hard Knock Life"

Name at birth: Shawn Carter

Hip Hop mogul Jay-Z was one of East Coast rap's top acts as the 21st century began, known for his street-hustler background and for creating his own label, Roc-A-Fella Records. Jay-Z released his debut album Reasonable Doubt in 1996. His breakthrough 1998 album Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life included the huge hits "Can I Get A..." and "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)," the latter featuring a chorus sampled from the Broadway show Annie. The album won a Grammy for best rap album, and Jay-Z's Hard Knock Life Tour cemented his stardom. He has collaborated with DMX, Foxy Brown, Memphis Bleek and others; his later albums include Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter (1999) and The Blueprint (2001, with producer Kanye West). In 2004 he announced his retirement from recording, and in 2005 he was made the chief executive officer of Def Jam Records, but in 2009 he left the position to get back to recording music. His other records as a performer include "Numb/Encore," a 2006 Grammy winner with the rock band Linkin Park, and a full-length "comeback" album, Kingdom Come, in 2006.

Jay-Z's name is a shortened version of an early nickname, "Jazzy"... Another popular nickname for Jay-Z is "Jiggy"... In 2005 he announced he wanted to be known by his real name, Shawn Carter... He married singer Beyoncé on 4 April 2008.

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Black Biography: Jay-Z

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rap musician

Personal Information

Born Shawn Corey Carter on December 4, 1970, in Brooklyn, NY; son of Gloria Carter and Adnis Reeves.

Career

Rap artist, performing pop-rap, crossover rap, hardcore rap, East Coast rap, urban, hip-hop for Def Jam, Priority, Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam, BMG International labels; released debut album, Reasonable Doubt, Freeze/Roc-A-Fella, 1996; In My Lifetime, Vol. I, Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam, 1997; released Vol.2: Hard Knock Life, Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam, 1998; released Vol. 3: The Life and Times of Shawn Carter, Def Jam, 1999; released The Dynasty: Roc la Familia, Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam, 2000; released The Blueprint, 2001; released The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse, 2002; opened the 40/40 club in New York City, 2003; released The Blueprint 2.1, 2003; released The Black Album, 2003; feature film Fade to Black released in theaters, 2004; appointed president of Universal Music Group's Def Jam Recordings label, 2004.

Life's Work

Jay-Z is all too familiar with the hard knock life. In his hit single "Hard Knock Life," Jay-Z samples the musical Annie's signature song of the same name. "These kids sing about the hard knock life, things everyone in the ghetto feels coming up,"Jay-Z says of the orphans in Annie in People Weekly. "That's the ghetto anthem." The rap star grew up in a single-parent household in the projects of Brooklyn, New York. Known for his honesty, Jay-Z has admitted in both his autobiographical lyrics and interviews that he sold drugs as a teenager. For Jay-Z, rap was his way out of the hard knock life. First, the money that came with a successful rap career would take him out of the Brooklyn projects. Second, rap music was a means to express his feelings about knocks and blows he has taken.

The way, however, was not easy and Jay-Z encountered more hard knocks along the road. When he could not get a record deal, Jay-Z, along with two friends, formed his own record label. The timing of Jay-Z's arrest in early December of 1999 for the stabbing of record executive Lance "Un" Rivera at a Times Square nightclub could not have been worse. His much-awaited album, Volume 3: The Life & Times of S. Carter, was due to be released right after Christmas and it was uncertain whether the negative publicity from this latest incident would hurt sales. However, for a man who grew up on the mean streets of Brooklyn this was just another one of the hard knocks that has formed his voice in rap.

Jay-Z was born Shawn Carter on December 4, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York, the youngest of four children. He grew up in the well-known Marcy Projects, where the J and Z subway trains run. His mother, Gloria Carter, worked as a clerk in an investment company. Jay-Z's father left when he was 12. "To me, that was basically the end of our relationship," Jay-Z told Vibe "That was when the hurt and then the healing began for me, from that day right there." In his teens, Jay-Z was a cocaine dealer before he joined the world of rap.

When Jay-Z was first starting out in the rap world, he was introduced to Darien Dash, who, by the time he was 19, had already gotten record deals for two acts. Dash soon became Jay-Z's manager and Dash's childhood friend, Kareem "Biggs" Burke, was then hired as Jay-Z's road manager. For two years, the three worked unsuccessfully to obtain a record deal. The trio then decided to form their own record company, Roc-A-Fella Records, in which they would all serve as partners. Jay-Z's role was that of marquee artist, Dash ran the company's day-to-day operations, and Burke, according to Vibe, served as "a barometer of the streets." After Roc-A-Fella secured a deal with Priority Records for the distribution of their albums, Jay-Z was ready to release his first record, Reasonable Doubt.

Controversial Hit Single

Jay-Z rose to fame with his 1996 gold-certified single,"Ain't No N-G-A" (Like the One I Got), a duet with Foxy Brown. The controversy started immediately. The single's title was not the language that even the most daring disc jockeys wanted to play. According to Janine McAdams of Billboard in June of 1996, "For now, 'Ain't No N-G-A' has radio production rooms working overtime. None of the stations contacted for this story advocate the use of the n-word over the air, but their solutions are varied: Some edit the word out; others substitute 'brother' or 'player.'" Still, radio stations pointed out that, however reluctant they were to broadcast that and other offensive words, the public knew when it was cut out anyway. In some cases, the change altered the content enough to lose its intended impact and appeal.

Despite the hardcore quality of his first album, as Shawnee Smith of Billboard, noted in November of 1999, it was Jay-Z who also began to transform the hip-hop scene from its hardcore "gangsta rap" to something that bears a more refined style--that of "Armani suits, alligator boots, Rolex watches, expensive cars, broads and Cristel," At the end of 1996, Havelock Nelson reflected on the year in rap for Billboard. Jay-Z, Nelson said, "masterfully reinvented himself after receiving battle scars from his previous rhyme life."

Announces He Will Make No More Albums

In addition to making music, Jay-Z was also interested in the corporate side of the business. Since 1994, Jay-Z had been producing records for other artists as chief of operations for the Roc-A-Fella label. The same handle he had for money in the drug business translated well into the music industry. He talked about his future at that time; "Although my album has already gone gold, it will be my last one. From this point, it's all about the business." Jay-Z did not retire from rap, however. Jay-Z told Vibe that he realized his music had a powerful effect on his fans. "There were cats coming up to me like, 'You must have been looking in my window or following my life'...It was emotional. Like big, rough hoodlum, hardrock, three-time jail bidders with scars and gold teeth just breaking down. It was something to look at, like, I must be going somewhere people been wanting someone to go for a while." So he returned to rap in 1997, with the album, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. In 1998 his best-selling, Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life, won him a Grammy award for best rap album.

Hard Knocks Tour

In 1999, Jay-Z headlined the Hard Knock Life Tour, which also featured DMX, Beanie Sigel, and others. Jay-Z used his stature as a hit-producing rap star to ensure that the rappers wanted would be included on the tour. At the outset, there were fears that violence would break out on the tour. The tour concluded without incident, however, and was a resounding success.

A documentary crew joined the tour, filming the rappers as they performed, hung out backstage, and traveled in tour buses. The resulting film, "Backstage," was released in September of 2000. Some reviewers lamented that the documentary did provide as complete a picture of Rock-A-Fella/Def Jams's place in the rap world. Although, Elvis Mitchell of the Contra Costa Times notes that hardcore fans are already familiar with the rivalries of the rap business. Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle says that "The film makes no attempt to guide hip-hop novices. It just tosses the viewer into this musical experience, which will seem vital to some and depressing and repetitious to others."

In 1999, Jay-Z was preparing to release his fourth album. In the December 27, 1999 issue of USA Today Steve Jones wrote that he noticed in a session he sat in on with Jay-Z and rapper Beanie Sigel, that Jay-Z never writes down a lyric. "I don't write songs," Jay-Z explained. "I just sit there and listen to the track, and I come up with the words. It's a gift. A gift from God." In the article Jay-Z also discussed his upcoming album, Vol. 3: The Life & Times of Shawn Carter. He talked about how his life had changed in the few short years of his success. "With five million records out there, there are all kinds of things that you have to deal with," he said. "Even though it's just been a year, people think that things change with you and start treating you differently. Street people start thinking that maybe you've gone soft. But I'm the same dude. That's why I did the song, 'Come and Get Me.' I'm still holding firm in my position."

When Vol 3... came out, reviews were mixed. Soren Baker wrote in The Los Angeles Times, on December 31, 1999, "For a man who rode to commercial prominence with the help of up-tempo, dance-ready tracks, Jay-Z is sounding pretty laid-back." According to Baker, the album fell behind his Grammy-winning Vol. 2. It was from a calmer, even less-clever and humorous Jay-Z, in that reviewer's opinion.

Arrested in Stabbing Incident

In early December of 1999, Jay-Z was charged with first-degree assault and second-degree assault after Untertainment Records executive Lance "Un" Rivera was stabbed once in the stomach and once in the shoulder. According to Newsweek, Jay-Z suspected that Rivera had released bootleg copies of his fourth album, an act that would lead to the loss of millions of dollars in rightful profits. When the two came face to face at a record-release party for rapper Q-tip held in a New York nightclub, eye-witnesses reported that there was an altercation between the two. In the commotion that followed, Rivera was stabbed. At his arraignment in early 2000, Jay-Z pleaded not guilty.

In the weeks between the stabbing incident in New York, and the release of his new album, Jon Caramanica talked about Jay-Z's difficult week in early December of 1999. "After the breakout success of last year's Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life, the expectations on Jay-Z were greater than ever," Caramanica wrote. "In fact, it's been speculated that the entire stabbing incident was part of some large marketing conspiracy to guarantee strong buzz and sales. In hip-hop, where crime is often flipped as a marketing tool, having your artist splashed across the cover of the Daily News may well work financial wonders, but that option seems absurd for a man in Jay's position. Still, the very existence of such a theory hints at an underlying belief that Jay, of all rappers, is too smart to go out like this. Business, never personal." Although his lawyers have advised him not to discuss the case until the trial is concluded, Jay-Z did comment in Vibe in December of 2000 on the fact that, one year after the stabbing incident, a trial date still had not been set. "I feel that if it was any other person," Jay-Z said, "it wouldn't still be dragging on this long." Yet Jay-Z maintains a positive attitude. He told Vibe, "Everything happens for a reason. It's another learning experience for me."

Jay-Z has worked with some of the biggest stars of the rap and hip-hop scene, including, Lil' Kim, Jermaine Dupri, Busta Rhymes, Kelly Price, Doug Wilson, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Nasheim Myrick, Kid Capri, Mase, Deric Angelettie, Too $hort, Joe Quinde, Sauce Money, Stephen Dent, Big Jaz, and Stevie J.

Despite the mixed reviews of Vol. 3: Life and Times of Shawn Carter and his legal troubles, Jay-Z still shows no signs of retiring from rap. The album was an instant platinum success, emphasizing what a number one seller he still was in the genre he has helped to define. In 2000, Jay-Z released Dynasty: Roc la Familia. He told Vibe, "I could make records as long as I have to desire to really dig deep and challenge myself to do it. I can do it for as long as I want." It does not look like Jay-Z be running out of words any time soon.

Awards

Grammy Award, Best Rap Album of 1998, for Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life, 1998; MTV Video Music Award, Best Rap Video, for "Can I Get A...,"1999.

Works

Selected discography

Singles
"In My Lifetime," Ffrr, 1995.
"Dead Presidents," Priority, 1996.
"Can't Knock the Hustle," Priority 1996.
"Feelin'," It, Roc-A-Fella/Priority, 1997.
"This City Is Mine," Def Jam, 1998.
"Money Cash Hoes," Def Jam, 1999.
"Can I Get a Rush Hour," BMG International, 1999.
"Hard Knock Life," Def Jam, 1999.
"Do It Again," Def Jam, 1999; released on Polygram International, 2000.
"Things That U Do," Def Jam, 2000.
"Anything," Def Jam, 2000.
Albums
Reasonable Doubt, 1996.
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, 1997.
Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life, 1998
Vol. 3: The Life and Times of Shawn Carter, 1999.
Dynasty: Roc la Familia, 2000.
The Blueprint, Roc-A-Fella, 2001.
Unplugged (live), Roc-A-Fella, 2001.
The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse, Roc-A-Fella, 2002.
(With R. Kelly) The Best of Both Worlds, Universal, 2002.
The Blueprint 2.1, Roc-A-Fella, 2003.
The Black Album, Roc-A-Fella, 2003.
(With Linkin Park) Collision Course, Warner Bros., 2004.

Biography

Embodying the rags-to-riches rap dream, Jay-Z pulled himself up by his bootstraps as a youth to eventually become the reigning rapper of New York City and, in turn, a major-label executive following his short-lived retirement from music-making. In the wake of his 1996 debut, Reasonable Doubt, Jay-Z's albums sold millions upon millions with each release, and his endless parade of hits made him omnipresent on urban radio and video television. He retained a strongly devoted fan base and challenged whatever rivals attempted to oust him from atop the rap game, sparing most memorably with Nas. Jay-Z and his Roc-a-Fella associates greatly influenced the industry and established many of the trends that pervaded during the late '90s and early 2000s. He consistently worked with the hottest producers of the day (Clark Kent, DJ Premier, Teddy Riley, Trackmasters, Erick Sermon, Timbaland, Swizz Beatz), and if they weren't hot at the time, they likely would be afterward (the Neptunes, Kanye West, Just Blaze, 9th Wonder). He similarly collaborated with the hottest rappers in the industry, everyone from East Coast contemporaries like the Notorious B.I.G. ("Brooklyn's Finest") and DMX ("Cash, Money, Hoes"), to the best rappers from the South (Ludacris, Missy Elliott) and the West Coast (Snoop Dogg, Too Short). After his self-declared retirement from rapping in 2003, he assumed the presidency of the seminal rap label Def Jam and, as an industry executive, embarked on another phase in his illustrious career.

Born and raised in the rough Marcy Projects of Brooklyn, NY, Jay-Z underwent some tough times after his father left his mother before the young rapper was even a teen. Without a man in the house, he became a self-supportive youth, turning to the streets, where he soon made a name for himself as a fledging rapper. Known as "Jazzy" in his neighborhood, he soon shortened his nickname to Jay-Z and did all he could to break into the rap game. As he vividly discusses in his lyrics, Jay-Z also became a street hustler around this time, doing what needed to be done to make money. For a while, he ran around with Jaz-O, aka Big Jaz, a small-time New York rapper with a record deal but few sales. From Jaz he learned how to navigate through the rap industry and what moves to make. He also participated in the group Original Flavor for a short time. Jay-Z subsequently decided to make an untraditional decision and start his own label rather than sign with an established label like Jaz had done. Together with friends Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, he created Roc-a-Fella Records, a risky strategy for cutting out the middleman and making money for himself. Once he found a reputable distributor, Priority Records (and then later Def Jam), Jay-Z finally had everything in place, including a debut album, Reasonable Doubt (1996).

Though Reasonable Doubt only reached number 23 on Billboard's album chart, Jay-Z's debut eventually became recognized as an undisputed classic among fans, many of whom consider it his crowning achievement. Led by the hit single "Ain't No Nigga," a duet featuring Foxy Brown, Reasonable Doubt slowly spread through New York; some listeners were drawn in because of big names like DJ Premier and the Notorious B.I.G., others by the gangsta motifs very much in style at the time, still others by Jay-Z himself. By the end of its steady run, Reasonable Doubt generated three more charting singles -- "Can't Knock the Hustle," which featured Mary J. Blige on the hook; "Dead Presidents," which featured a prominent sample of "The World Is Yours," a 1994 hit by Nas; and "Feelin' It" -- and set the stage for Jay-Z's follow-up, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997).

Peaking at number three on the Billboard album chart, In My Lifetime sold much more strongly than its predecessor. The album boasted pop-crossover producers such as Puff Daddy and Teddy Riley, and singles such as "Sunshine" and "The City Is Mine" indeed showcased a newfound embrace of pop crossover. Yet there were still plenty of hard-hitting songs such as "Streets Is Watching" and "Rap Game/Crack Game" to lace In My Lifetime with gangsta rap as well as pop crossover. Jay-Z's next album, Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life (1998), released a year after In My Lifetime, was laden with hit singles: "Can I Get A..." and "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" broke the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100, while "Cash, Money, Hoes" and "Nigga What, Nigga Who" also charted. Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life ended up winning a Grammy for Best Rap Album.

Like clockwork, Jay-Z returned a year later with another album, Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter (1999), which topped the Billboard 200 and spawned two hits: "Big Pimpin'" and "Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)." The album was Jay-Z's most collaborative to date, featuring ten guest vocalists and a roll call of in-demand producers such as Dr. Dre and Timbaland. Jay-Z then scaled back a bit for Dynasty Roc la Familia (2000), his fifth album in as many years. The album showcased Roc-a-Fella's in-house rappers: Beanie Sigel guests on seven of the 16 tracks, Memphis Bleek guests on six, and both Amir and Freeway also make guest appearances. On Dynasty Roc la Familia, Jay-Z also began working with a few new producers: the Neptunes, Kanye West, and Just Blaze. The Neptunes-produced "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)" became a particularly huge hit single this go-round.

Jay-Z's next album, The Blueprint (2001), solidified his position atop the New York rap scene upon its release in September. Prior to the album's release, the rapper had caused a stir in New York following his headlining performance at Hot 97's Summer Jam 2001, where he debuted the song "Takeover." The song features a harsh verse ridiculing Prodigy of Mobb Deep, and Jay-Z accentuated his verbal assault (including the lines "You's a ballerina/I seen ya") by showcasing gigantic photos of an adolescent Prodigy in a dance outfit. The version of "Takeover" that later appeared on The Blueprint includes a third verse, this one dissing Nas, who, in response to the Summer Jam performance, had called out Jay-Z, "the fake king of New York," in a freestyle known as "Stillmatic." As expected, "Takeover" ignited a sparring match with Nas, who responded with "Ether." Jay-Z accordingly returned with a comeback, "Super Ugly," where he rapped over the beats to Nas' "Get Ur Self a..." on the first verse and Dr. Dre's "Bad Intentions" on the second. The back-and-forth bout created massive publicity for both Jay-Z and Nas. In addition to "Takeover," The Blueprint also featured "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)," one of the year's biggest hit songs, and the album topped many year-end best-of charts.

Jay-Z capitalized on the runaway success of The Blueprint with a number of follow-up projects. He collaborated with the Roots for the Unplugged album (2001) and with R. Kelly for Best of Both Worlds (2002). He then went on to record, over the course of the year, 40 or so new tracks, 25 of which appeared on his next record, the double album The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse (2002). Though billed as a sequel, The Blueprint² was considerably different from its predecessor. Whereas the first volume had been personal, considered, and focused, the second instead offered an unapologetically sprawling double-disc extravaganza showcasing remarkable scope. As usual, it spawned a stream of singles, led by his 2Pac cover "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" (featuring his glamorous girlfriend, Beyoncé Knowles from Destiny's Child). Furthermore, Jay-Z guested on a pair of summer 2003 hits: Beyoncé's chart-topping "Crazy in Love" and the Neptunes' Top Five hit "Frontin'."

It was then that Jay-Z announced his imminent retirement after the release of one more album. That LP, The Black Album (2003), was rush-released by Def Jam and soared to the top spot in the album charts at the end of the year. As always, it spawned a couple big hits -- "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" and "99 Problems" -- and inspired a popular mash-up bootleg, The Grey Album, by Danger Mouse. The subsequent year (2004) was a whirlwind for the retiring Jay-Z. He embarked on a farewell tour that was topped off by an extravagant Madison Square Garden performance documented on the Fade to Black DVD, and he also embarked on an ill-fated arena tour with the embattled R. Kelly that resulted in an exchange of ugly multi-million-dollar lawsuits.

With his final album behind him and his reputation bigger than ever, Jay-Z accepted an offer to assume the role of president at Def Jam Records. The seminal rap label was struggling and needed someone to guide it through a rocky transitional phase. Jay-Z accepted the challenge and took over the company begun by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin roughly 20 years earlier. (As part of its deal with Jay-Z, Def Jam's parent company, Universal, bought Roc-a-Fella, which resulted in some bitterness among certain associates upset by the buyout.) Considerable fanfare met the presidential inauguration, as Jay-Z became one of the few African-American major-label executives in the business, and he also became one of the few rappers to transition into that side of the business. Numerous rappers owned or operated their own boutique labels, but none had ever risen to such major-label heights. And the rapper-turned-president didn't take his job lightly, either, at least judging by his initial year at the helm. Within months of assuming his position, he fostered a string of newfound talents -- Young Jeezy, Teairra Marí, Rihanna, and Bobby Valentino, all of whom enjoyed considerable commercial success -- and only had a few setbacks (disappointing returns on albums by Memphis Bleek and Young Gunz).

In 2005, Jay-Z came out of retirement for the I Declare War concert in New York City. The ambitious show featured a parade of high-profile guest stars, including Diddy, T.I., Kanye West, and in a peacemaking move, Nas. With this longstanding beef squashed, Jay-Z announced he was coming out of retirement for good. He made it official when Kingdom Come hit the shelves in late 2006. Less than a year later, Jay-Z returned with another post-retirement album, American Gangster (2007), this one inspired by the concurrent film of the same name. Two years later, he released a third installment in the Blueprint series, The Blueprint 3. Announced with the single "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)," the album featured productions from Kanye West and Timbaland, plus guest features for West, Rihanna, Young Jeezy, and Alicia Keys. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide

Discography: Jay-Z

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Show More Albums

Dynasty Roc la Familia Buy this CD	Classic Albums: Reasonable Doubt Buy this CD	In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 [Clean] Buy this CD	Streets Is Watching Buy this CD	Collision Course [Clean] Buy this CD
Collision Course Buy this CD	Collision Course Buy this CD	Collision Course [DVD & CD] Buy this CD	Collision Course [DVD & CD] [Clean] Buy this CD	Nigga What, Nigga Who Buy this CD
Bring It On: The Best of Jay-Z Buy this CD	Kingdom Come Buy this CD	Kingdom Come [Clean] Buy this CD	Kingdom Come [Bonus DVD] Buy this CD	Kingdom Come [Bonus DVD Clean] Buy this CD
Kingdom Come [LP] Buy this CD	Song Cry [Swedish CD] Buy this CD	Swagga Like Us Buy this CD	Black Album Buy this CD	Black Album [Clean] Buy this CD
Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse [Clean] Buy this CD	Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse Buy this CD	'03 Bonnie and Clyde Buy this CD	American Gangster Buy this CD	American Gangster [Clean] Buy this CD
American Gangster [Clean] Buy this CD	American Gangster [13 Tracks] Buy this CD	In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 Buy this CD	Dynasty Roc la Familia 2000 [Bonus DVD] Buy this CD	Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter [Japan Bonus CD] Buy this CD
Black Album [Acappella] Buy this CD	Change Clothes [Import CD] Buy this CD	Anything [Import CD Single] Buy this CD	Chapter One: Greatest Hits Buy this CD	International Gangster Buy this CD
Hard Knock Life [CD5/Cassette Single] Buy this CD	I Will Not Lose: Unauthorized Buy this CD	Reasonable Doubt Buy this CD	Making of Guilty Until Proven Innocent Buy this CD	99 Problems [Germany] Buy this CD
Excuse Me Miss [Australia CD] Buy this CD	Jigga My Nigga Buy this CD	Reasonable Doubt [Clean] Buy this CD	Dirt Off Your Shoulder/Encore [12" Single] Buy this CD	I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me) [Import CD] Buy this CD
Girls, Girls, Girls [Import CD] Buy this CD	Unplugged [Japan Bonus Tracks] Buy this CD	Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter [Clean] Buy this CD	Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter Buy this CD	Unplugged Buy this CD
Unplugged [Clean] Buy this CD	Kingdom Come [UK Bonus Track] Buy this CD	American Gangster [Acappella] Buy this CD	Show Me What You Got Buy this CD	20 Bag Shorty Buy this CD
Music Videos on DVD Buy this CD	Chapter One: Greatest Hits [Japan Bonus Track] Buy this CD	Blueprint 2.1 [Clean] Buy this CD	Blueprint 2.1 Buy this CD	Hard Knock Life [UK CD Single] Buy this CD
Swagga Like Us [Clean] Buy this CD	Reasonable Doubt [Germany] Buy this CD	Maximum Jay-Z Buy this CD	Feelin' It Buy this CD

Show Fewer Albums

Wikipedia: Jay-Z

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Jay-Z
Jay-Z in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in November 2008.
Background information
Birth name	Shawn Corey Carter
Born	December 4, 1969 (1969-12-04) (age 39) New York City
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper, songwriter, master of ceremonies, record executive, record producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, businessman, fashion designer, media mogul
Years active	1986–present
Labels	Roc Nation
Associated acts	Big Daddy Kane, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel, The Notorious B.I.G., Kanye West, Nas, Diddy, Amil
Website	Jay-Z.com

Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969),^[1] better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American hip hop artist and businessman. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America,^[2] having a net worth of over $150 million,^[3] selling over 30 million copies of his albums in the United States alone and receiving several Grammy Awards for his musical work.^[4]

Jay-Z co-owns The 40/40 Club and the NBA's New Jersey Nets and is also the creator of the clothing line Rocawear. He is the former CEO of Def Jam Recordings^[5], one of the three founders of Roc-A-Fella Records and recently, the founder of his new venture Roc Nation. He is also the current holder for the record of most number one albums by a solo artist on the Billboard 200.^[6] Jay-Z also had 4 number ones on the Billboard Hot 100, one as lead artist. (Heartbreaker with Mariah Carey, Crazy in Love with Beyonce, Umbrella with Rihanna and Empire State of Mind featuring Alicia Keys.)

Along with his financial and musical success, Jay-Z is known for being involved in the feud between him and fellow New York rapper Nas, which was eventually settled in 2005.^[7] He married singer Beyoncé Knowles on April 4, 2008.^[8]

1 Early years
2 Musical career
3 Business ventures
4 Personal life
- 4.1 Relationship with Beyoncé
- 4.2 Philanthropy
5 Discography
6 Awards
7 Filmography
8 References
9 External links

Early years

Jay-Z (top) with a friend (left) in Trenton, New Jersey, circa 1988

Originally from Marcy Houses housing project in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City,^[9] Jay-Z was abandoned by his father and at 12 years old, he had shot his brother in the shoulder for stealing his jewelry.^[10]^[11] Jay-Z attended Eli Whitney High School in Brooklyn, along with rapper AZ, until it was closed down. After that he attended George Westinghouse Information Technology High School in Downtown Brooklyn, which fellow rappers The Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes also attended, and Trenton Central High School in Trenton, New Jersey, but did not graduate.^[12] In his music he refers to having been involved in selling crack cocaine.^[11]

According to his mother, Gloria Carter, a young Jay-Z used to wake his siblings up at night banging out drum patterns on the kitchen table. Eventually, she bought him a boom box for his birthday, sparking his interest in music. He began freestyling, writing lyrics, and followed the music of many artists popular at the time.^[13] In his neighborhood, Carter was known as "Jazzy", a nickname that eventually developed into his stage name, "Jay-Z". The moniker is also an homage to his musical mentor, Jaz-O, as well as to the J/Z subway lines that have a stop at Marcy Avenue in Brooklyn.^[9]

Jay-Z can briefly be heard on several of Jaz-O's early recordings in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including "The Originators" and "Hawaiian Sophie". Jay-Z was also involved in and won several battles with rapper LL Cool J in the early 90's as part of a plan to get a sought-after record deal.^[14] He first became known to a wide audience by being featured on the posse cut "Show and Prove" on the 1994 Big Daddy Kane album Daddy's Home He made an appearance on a popular song by Big L, "Da Graveyard", and on Mic Geronimo's "Time to Build", which also featured early appearances by DMX, and Ja Rule in 1995. His first official rap single was called "I Can't Get With That", for which he released a music video.^[15]

Musical career

1996–97: Reasonable Doubt and In My Lifetime, Vol. 1

From the beginning of his professional recording career, when no major label gave him a record deal, Jay-Z, Damon Dash, and Kareem Biggs created Roc-A-Fella Records as their own independent label. After striking a deal with Priority to distribute his material, Jay-Z released his 1996 debut album Reasonable Doubt with beats from acclaimed producers such as DJ Premier and Super DJ Clark Kent and a notable appearance by The Notorious B.I.G.. Despite reaching only number 23 on the Billboard 200, the album was well-received by critics.^[9] This album would later be included in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" as #248 and would later reach platinum status.^[16]

After reaching a new distribution deal with Def Jam in 1997, Jay-Z released his follow-up In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. Executively produced by Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, it sold better than his previous effort. Jay-Z later explained that the album was made during one of the worst periods of his life. He was reeling from the death of his close friend The Notorious B.I.G. The album was a personal revelation for Jay-Z as he spun the tale of his hard knock upbringing.^[17] The album's glossy production stood as a contrast to his first release, and some dedicated fans felt he had "sold out". However, the album did feature some beats from producers who had worked with him on Reasonable Doubt, namely DJ Premier and Ski. Like its predecessor, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 earned Platinum status in the United States.^[16]

1998–2000: Vol. 2... Criminal charges and mainstream success

In 1998, Jay-Z released Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life which spawned the biggest hit of his career at the time, "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)". He relied more on flow and wordplay, and he continued with his penchant for mining beats from the popular producers of the day such as Swizz Beatz, an upstart in-house producer for Ruff Ryders, and Timbaland. Other producers include: DJ Premier, Erick Sermon, The 45 King, and Kid Capri. Charting hits from this album included "Can I Get A...", featuring Ja Rule and Amil, and "Nigga What, Nigga Who", which featured Amil too. Vol. 2 would eventually become Jay-Z's most commercially successful album; it was certified 5× Platinum in the United States and has to date sold over five million copies.^[16] The album went on to win a Grammy Award, although Jay-Z boycotted the ceremony protesting DMX's failure to garner a Grammy nomination.^[18]

In 1999, Jay-Z released Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter, the album proved to be successful and sold over 3 million records.^[16] Vol. 3's most successful single was "Big Pimpin'", featuring UGK. Around the same time, Jay-Z was accused of stabbing record executive Lance "Un" Rivera for what Jay-Z perceived was Rivera's bootlegging of Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter. The stabbing allegedly occurred at the record release party for Q-Tip's debut solo album Amplified at the Kit Kat Klub, a now defunct night club in Times Square, New York City, on December 9. Jay-Z's associates at the party were accused of causing a commotion within the club, which Jay-Z allegedly used as cover when he supposedly stabbed Rivera in the stomach with a five-inch (127 mm) blade.^[19]

Jay-Z initially denied the incident and pleaded not guilty when a grand jury returned the indictment. Jay-Z and his lawyers contended he was nowhere around Rivera during the incident and they had witnesses and videotape evidence from the club that showed Jay-Z's whereabouts during the disturbance. Nevertheless, he later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge that resulted in a sentence of three years probation.^[20] In 2000, Jay-Z released The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, which was originally intended to become a compilation album for Roc-A-Fella artists but somehow turned into another Jay-Z album.^[21] The album helped to introduce newcomer producers The Neptunes, Just Blaze, Kanye West and Bink!, which have all gone on to achieve notable success. This is also the first album where Jay-Z utilizes a more soulful sound than his previous albums. The Dynasty: Roc La Familia sold over two million units in the U.S. alone.^[16]

2001–02: Feud with Nas, The Blueprint and The Blueprint²

In 2001, Jay-Z spoke out against Prodigy after he took an issue with a Jay-Z line from "Money, Cash, Hoes" that he felt were subliminal shots at Mobb Deep and referenced Mobb Deep's beef with Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, and Death Row Records. He later performed a song "Takeover," at Summer Jam 2001, which initially attacked Prodigy and revealed photos of Prodigy dressed like Michael Jackson.^[22] A line at the end of "Takeover" referenced Nas, who criticized him on "We Will Survive".^[23] Nas responded with a diss track called "Stillmatic" and almost instantly, Jay-Z added a verse to "Takeover" which dissed Nas and would start a feud between the two rappers. Jay-Z later released his sixth studio album The Blueprint which was later considered by many to be one of hip hop's "classic" albums, receiving the coveted 5 mic review from The Source magazine. Released during the wake of September 11 attacks, the album managed to debut at number one on the Billboard 200, selling more than 427,000 units;^[24] the album's success was overshadowed by the tragic event. The Blueprint has been certified 3x Platinum in the United States.^[16] The Blueprint was applauded for its production and the balance of "mainstream" and "hardcore" rap, receiving recognition from both audiences. The Blueprint was written in only two days.^[25] Eminem was the only guest rapper on the album, producing and rapping on the song "Renegade". Four of the thirteen tracks on the album were produced by Kanye West and represents one of West's first major breaks in the industry.The Blueprint includes the popular songs "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)", "Girls, Girls, Girls, Jigga That Nigga and Song Cry.

Jay-Z's next solo album was 2002's 3 million (U.S. only) selling^[16] The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse, a double-album. The album debuted on the Billboard 200 at number one, selling over 545,000 units and surpassing The Blueprint.^[26] It was later reissued in a single-disc version, The Blueprint 2.1, which retained half of the tracks from the original. The album spawned two massive hit singles, "Excuse Me Miss" and "Bonnie & Clyde" featuring Jay-Z's girlfriend of four years Beyoncé Knowles. "Guns & Roses", a track featuring rock musician Lenny Kravitz, and "Hovi Baby" were two successful radio singles as well. The album features the tracks "A Dream", featuring Faith Evans and a recording of the late The Notorious B.I.G.; and "The Bounce", featuring Kanye West. The Blueprint 2.1 features tracks that do not appear on The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse, such as "Stop", "La La La (Excuse Me Again)", "What They Gonna Do, Part II" and "Beware" produced by and featuring Panjabi MC.^[27]

2003–05: The Black Album, retirement and Collision Course

Jay-Z toured with 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes and Sean Paul while finishing work on what was announced as his final album, The Black Album.^[28] He worked with several producers including Just Blaze, The Neptunes, Kanye West, Timbaland, Eminem, DJ Quik, 9th Wonder and Rick Rubin. Notable songs on the album included "What More Can I Say", "Dirt Off Your Shoulder", "Change Clothes", and "99 Problems". A few of the songs done on this album portray a more personal side of Jay-Z; for example, "Moment of Clarity" sheds light on his feelings towards his estranged father and coping with his death and deals with accusations that he sold out to reach a wider audience. "What More Can I Say" addresses the "biting" accusations leveled against him by Nas in "Ether" and other detractors. The Black Album has sold 3 million copies in the US.^[16]

On November 25, 2003, Jay-Z held a concert at Madison Square Garden, which would later be the focus of his film Fade to Black. This concert was his "retirement party". All proceeds went to charity. Other performers included collaborators like The Roots (in the form of his backing band), Missy Elliott, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Siegel, Freeway, Mary J. Blige, Beyoncé, Twista, Ghostface Killah, Foxy Brown, Pharrell and R. Kelly with special appearances by Voletta Wallace and Afeni Shakur, the mothers of The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur respectively. While Jay-Z had attested to a retirement from making new studio albums, various side projects and appearances soon followed. Included in these were a greatest hits record, mash-up projects and concert appearances with R. Kelly and Linkin Park.

In 2004 Jay-Z collaborated with rock group Linkin Park. The project was named Collision Course, and contained a six track EP, as well as a making of DVD. Some of the mash ups tracks were entitled "Dirt Off Your Shoulder/Lying From You", "Jigga What/Faint", and "Numb/Encore". "Numb/Encore" went on to win a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, and was performed with Linkin Park live at the Grammys, with a special appearance by Paul McCartney, who added verses from the song Yesterday. The EP sold over 1 million copies in the US alone.^[16] Jay-Z was the executive producer of Fort Minor's debut album The Rising Tied. Mike Shinoda got together with Jay-Z and Linkin Park bandmate Brad Delson to discuss what tracks should make the album.

Later in 2004, Jay-Z was named president of Def Jam Records, which led to Jay-Z, Dash and Biggs selling their remaining interests in Roc-A-Fella Records and Jay-Z taking control of both of the companies.^[29] Reportedly this major industry move was prompted by disagreements between Jay-Z and Dash as to what direction Roc-A-Fella could undertake.^[30] The publicized split between Jay-Z, Dash and Biggs led to the former partners sending jabs at each other in interviews.^[31]

2005–07: "I Declare War", Kingdom Come and American Gangster

Jay-Z at a concert in 2006.

On October 27, 2005, Jay-Z headlined New York's Power 105.1 annual concert, Powerhouse. The concert was entitled the "I Declare War" concert leading to intense speculation in the weeks preceding the event on whom exactly Jay-Z would declare war. As he had previously "declared war" on other artists taking lyrical shots at him at other events, many believed that the Powerhouse show would represent an all-out assault by Jay-Z upon his rivals.^[32] The theme of the concert was Jay-Z's position as President and CEO of Def Jam, complete with an on-stage mock-up of the Oval Office. Many artists made appearances such as the old roster of Roc-A-Fella records artists, as well as Ne-Yo, Teairra Mari, T.I., Young Jeezy, Akon, Kanye West, Paul Wall, The LOX, and Diddy.^[33]

At the conclusion of the concert, Jay-Z put many arguments to rest to the surprise of hip hop fans. The most significant development in this show was closure to the infamous hip hop rivalry between Jay-Z and Nas. The two former rivals shook hands and shared the stage together to perform Jay-Z's "Dead Presidents" blended with Nas's song "The World is Yours".^[7]

Jay-Z returned with his comeback album on November 21, 2006 titled Kingdom Come.^[34] Jay-Z's comeback single, "Show Me What You Got", was leaked on the Internet in early October 2006, scheduled to be released later on that month, received heavy air-play after its leak, causing the FBI to step in and investigate.^[35] Jay-Z worked with video director Hype Williams, and the single's video was directed by F. Gary Gray (Friday, The Italian Job). The album features producers such as Just Blaze, Pharrell, Kanye West, Dr. Dre and Coldplay's Chris Martin (single entitled "Beach Chair").^[36]^[37] The first week saw 680,000 sales of the CD, which Entertainment Weekly said was "the highest single-week total in Jay's decadelong career".^[38] This album has sold 2 million copies in the U.S. alone.^[16]

Jay-Z released his tenth album entitled American Gangster on November 6, 2007. After viewing the Ridley Scott film of the same name, he was heavily inspired to create a new "concept" album that depicts his experiences as a street-hustler.^[39] The album is not the film's official soundtrack, although it was distributed by Def Jam.^[40] Jay-Z's American Gangster depicts his life in correlation to the movie American Gangster. At the start of the album's first single, "Blue Magic", Jay-Z offers a dealer's manifesto while making references to political figures of the late 1980s with the lyric: "Blame Reagan for making me to into a monster, blame Oliver North and Iran-Contra, I ran contraband that they sponsored, before this rhymin' stuff we was in concert."^[41] Also notable about the "Blue Magic" music video was Jay-Z flashing 500 euro notes, in what Harvard Business School professor Rawi Abdelal has called a "turning point in American pop culture's response to globalization." The album has sold 1 million copies in the US.^[16] On December 24, 2007, Jay-Z stated that he will not remain at Def Jam as the company's President, and vacated the position effective of January 1, 2008.^[42]

2008–present: Glastonbury, New Record Deal and The Blueprint 3

Jay-Z during his Glastonbury performance

It was controversially announced on February 2, 2008 that Jay-Z would headline the 2008 Glastonbury Festival, becoming the first major hip hop artist to headline the British festival.^[43]^[44] Tickets initially failed to sell out - with 100,000 being sold out of a possible 137,500. As the festival sold out in 2 hours the previous year critics blamed the choice of a hip hop artist as opposed to a rock band as the main problem,^[45] although a more likely cause is the preceding run of terrible weather and flooding that in 2007 made life at the festival very difficult.^[46] Tickets eventually sold out in the final day before the festival. One of the more outspoken critics of his selection was Noel Gallagher of Oasis fame, who criticised the organizers of the festival for scheduling Jay-Z as a headliner for the traditionally guitar-driven, stating "I'm sorry, but Jay-Z? No chance. Glastonbury has a tradition of guitar music and even when they throw the odd curve ball in on a Sunday night you go 'Kylie Minogue?' I don't know about it. But I'm not having hip hop at Glastonbury. It's wrong."^[47]

Controversy ensued in the months leading up to the event with artists, promoters and fans weighing in both for and against. Jay-Z responded to this saying, "We don't play guitars, Noel, but hip hop has put in its work like any other form of music. This headline show is just a natural progression. Rap music is still evolving. We have to respect each other's genre of music and move forward."^[48] In response to Gallagher's criticism, Jay-Z opened his Glastonbury set with a tongue-in-cheek cover of Oasis's iconic song "Wonderwall".^[49] His Glastonbury performance was heralded as a successful response to pre-festival criticism.^[50]

When Gallagher was asked about the incident he replied "Someone asked me about the fact that Glastonbury hadn't sold out for the first time in years, and if it was because of Jay-Z. From there it grew into this crap that I was standing on an orange crate at Speakers' Corner saying, 'Gather round, brothers and sisters. Have you heard what's happening at Glastonbury this year?' I've hung out with Jay-Z in Tokyo. It's not my bag, but it's all right."^[51] When Jay-Z was asked about Gallagher's comments he said "I heard he was reaching out. I don't bear any grudge, it's all good. I just don't believe in good music and bad music, I've always said that." and said that he would be interested in collaborating with Oasis in the future.^[52]

He also headlined many other summer festivals in 2008, including Roskilde Festival in Denmark,^[53] Hove Festival in Norway^[54] and O2 Wireless Festival in London.^[55] Jay-Z also stated that after he finishing touring he will work on a new album.^[56] Timbaland has previously stated that he will be producing the entire album.^[57] Recently, however, Jay-Z went on record to say that it is not guaranteed to be a full Timbaland production.^[58] During Kanye West's August 6, 2008 concert at Madison Square Garden, Jay-Z came out to perform a new song and he and Kanye proclaimed that it was to be on The Blueprint 3.^[59] On May 21, 2009, Jay-Z announced he would be parting ways with Def Jam, and had stuck a multi-million dollar deal to sign for Live Nation, which he would start his Roc Nation imprint which would serve as a record label, talent/management agency, and music publishing company^[60] and also partnered up with production team Stargate to start a record label called StarRoc.^[61]^[62] Jay-Z's 11th studio album The Blueprint 3 was originally to be released on September 11, 2009^[63] but was instead released on September 8, 2009 due to increasing anticipation.^[64] It is his 11th album to reach #1 on the Billboard 200^[65] and has surpassed Elvis Presley's previous record, making him the current record holder.^[6]

On October 9, 2009, Jay-Z kicked off his tour for The Blueprint 3, during which he will support his new album in North America. In a Shave Magazine review of his performance at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Jake Tomlinson expressed that "It was the type of smooth performance you would expect from the hip-hop superstar." The review gave this performance 4 stars. His North American tour is scheduled to continue until November 22, 2009.^[66] At his concert on November 8, 2009 at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion, Rihanna joined him on stage and performed “Hard” for the very first time, then performed “Run This Town” with Jay. Enjoying their performances were Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel, Nicole Richie and Samantha Ronson, James Blunt, and Jamie Foxx.^[67]

Business ventures

Jay-Z has also established himself as an entrepreneur like his fellow hip hop moguls, and friends, Russell Simmons, Dr. Dre and Sean "Diddy" Combs, who also have business holdings such as record companies and clothing lines. In an interview, he stated that "my brands are an extension of me. They're close to me. It's not like running GM, where there's no emotional attachment."^[68]

He is the founder of the urban clothing brand Rocawear along with Damon Dash.^[69] Rocawear has clothing lines and accessories for men, women and children. The line was taken over by Jay-Z in early 2006 following a falling out with co-founder Damon Dash. In March 2007, Jay-Z sold the rights to the Rocawear brand to Iconix Brand Group, for $204 million. Jay-Z will retain his stake in the company and will continue to oversee the marketing, licensing and product development.^[69]^[70] He also co-owns The 40/40 Club, an upscale sports bar that started in New York City and has since expanded to Atlantic City and Chicago. In 2008, the 40/40 club in Las Vegas was closed down and bought back by the hotel after attendance steadily declined, future plans will see 40/40 Clubs in Tokyo, and Singapore.^[71]

Jay-Z serves as co-brand director for Budweiser Select and collaborates with the company on strategic marketing programs and creative ad development. He provides direction on brand programs and ads that appear on TV, radio, print, and high-profile events.^[72] He is a part-owner of the New Jersey Nets NBA team paying a reported $4.5 million for his share. He is interested in relocating the team to Brooklyn. In October 2005, he was reported in English media as considering buying a stake of Arsenal F.C., an English soccer team.^[73] He has also invested in a real estate development venture called J Hotels which recently acquired a $66 million mid-block parcel in Chelsea, New York. Jay-Z and his partners are contemplating constructing a high-end hotel or an art gallery building on the newly acquired site which has the potential to go up about twelve stories.^[74]

Personal life

Relationship with Beyoncé

Jay-Z's most public relationship has been with American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles, a former member of Destiny's Child. In 2002, Jay-Z & Beyonce collaborated for the song "Bonnie & Clyde". Jay-Z also appeared on Knowles' hit single "Crazy In Love" and as well as "That's How You Like It" from her debut Dangerously in Love. On her second album, B'Day, he made appearances on the 2006 hits, "Déjà Vu" and "Upgrade U". In the video for the latter song, she comically imitates his appearance.^[75]

The couple generally avoid discussing their relationship. Beyoncé has stated that she believes that not publicly discussing their relationship has helped them. Jay-Z said in a People article, "We don't play with our relationship.^[76] " They keep a low public profile despite being photographed at New Jersey Nets home games and while on vacation in Cannes in 2007. The pair were listed as a power couple on Time Magazine's 100's Most Influential People of 2006.^{[citation needed]}

On April 4, 2008, it was reported by People that Knowles and Jay-Z had been married at a private ceremony in New York City.^[8] It became a matter of public record on April 22, 2008, ^[77] but Knowles did not publicly debut her $5 million Lorraine Schwartz-designed wedding ring until the Fashion Rocks concert on September 5, 2008 in New York City.^[78]

Philanthropy

Jay-Z attends President Barack Obama's staff party during the January 2009 inaugural festivities.

During his retirement, Jay-Z also became involved in philanthropic activity. On August 9, 2006, he met with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan at the organization's headquarters in New York City. The rapper pledged to use his upcoming world tour to raise awareness of–and combat–global water shortage. Already on the look-out for a way to, in his own words, "become helpful", he had been made aware of this issue during a visit to Africa.^[79] The effort took place in partnership with the UN,^[80] as well as MTV, which produced a documentary entitled Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life, first airing in November 2006.^[81]

Along with Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jay-Z pledged $1 million to the American Red Cross' relief effort after Hurricane Katrina.^[82] Jay-Z stated his support for Kanye West after the latter's outburst against President Bush during a live Katrina charity telethon.^[83] He also addressed the issue of the Katrina disaster, and the government's response, in his song "Minority Report".^[84]

Discography

Main article: Jay-Z discography

Studio albums

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)

Collaboration albums

Streets Is Watching (1998)
The Best of Both Worlds (2002) – with R. Kelly
Unfinished Business (2004) – with R. Kelly
Collision Course (2004) – with Linkin Park

Compilation albums

Jay-Z: Unplugged (2001)
Chapter One: Greatest Hits (2002)
The Blueprint 2.1 (2003)
Bring It On: The Best of Jay-Z (2003)
Greatest Hits (2006)
The Blueprint Trilogy (2010)

Awards

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Jay-Z

Filmography

Streets Is Watching (1998)
Backstage (2000)
State Property (2002)
Paper Soldiers (2003)
Fade to Black (2004)

References

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^ "Glasto tix still left". BBC Radio 6 Music. 2008-04-11. http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20080411_glasto.shtml. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
^ BBC - Newsbeat - Music - Glastonbury tickets 'available'
^ "Hip-hop "wrong" for Glastonbury". BBC News. 2008-04-12. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7345780.stm. Retrieved 2008-05-07.
^ "Noel Gallagher is narrow minded: Jay-Z". NDTVmusic.com. 2008-05-13. http://www.ndtvmusic.com/story.asp?id=ENTEN20080049721. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
^ "Jay-Z's Glastonbury Wonderwall dig at Noel Gallagher". Sunday Mirror. June 29, 2008. http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/latest/2008/06/29/jay-z-s-glastonbury-wonderwall-dig-at-noel-gallagher-98487-20625795/.
^ Jay-Z answers critics in Glastonbury performance
^ Michael Odell (2008-09-22). "The SPIN Interview: Noel Gallagher". SPIN. http://www.spin.com/articles/spin-interview-noel-gallagher?page=0%2C2.
^ Daniels, Adam (2008-08-08). "Update: Jay-Z continues Oasis beef, hints at Blueprint 3". Paste. Paste Media Group. http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/08/jayz-covers-oasis-at-glastonbury-festival.html. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
^ Roskilde Festival: Forside
^ Hove Festival Homepage
^ Official O2 Wireless Festival line-up
^ Reid, Shaheem (2008-07-03). "Jay-Z Says He'd Be Open To Working With Noel Gallagher And Oasis: 'I Don't Bear Any Grudge' For Glastonbury Dis". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1590390/20080703/jay_z.jhtml. Retrieved July 4, 2008.
^ Timbaland On Producing Jay-Z's Next LP: 'It'll Be A Monster'. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
^ "HHWorlds.com" - Jay-Z Downplays Timbaland's Role, Praises Obama
^ Jay-Z performs Blueprint 3 track with Kanye
^ I.B. Bad Contemplates The Great Unknown". HITS Daily Double. 2009-05-22. Retrieved on August 6, 2009.
^ Tai Saint Louis (2008-09-28). "Jay-Z Statement On New StarRoc Label". AllHipHop.com. http://www.allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2008/09/28/20536457.aspx.
^ Jason (2008-09-23). "Details On Jay-Z's New Label". Rap Basement. http://www.rapbasement.com/jay-z/092308-details-on-jay-z-s-new-record-label-leak.html.
^ Daniel Kreps (2009-05-21). "Jay-Z Buys Out Def Jam Contract, “Blueprint 3″ Heads to Roc Nation". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/05/21/jay-z-buys-out-def-jam-contract-blueprint-3-heads-to-roc-nation/.
^ Kreps, Daniel (September 8, 2009). "Jay-Z Pushes Up “Blueprint 3 ” Release, Announces Tour". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/09/08/jay-z-pushes-up-blueprint-3-release-announces-tour/. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
^ "Thee Blueprint 3 - Jay-Z". Billboard.com. http://www.billboard.com/album/jay-z/the-blueprint-3/1280278. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
^ Jake Tomlinson. "Jay Z Fall 2009 Concert Tour Review". ShaveMagazine.com. http://www.shavemagazine.com/concerts/reviews/091001. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
^ Jocelyn Vena, Rihanna Joins Jay-Z Onstage At Los Angeles Concert, MTV.com, November 9, 2009
^ "Jay-Z Talks Business, Success in New Interview". idiomag. 2009-03-15. http://www.idiomag.com/peek/70238/jay-z. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
^ ^a ^b "Iconix to Buy Rocawear, Jay-Z's Clothing Line". New York Times. 2007-03-07. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/07/business/07clothes.html. Retrieved 2007-03-09.
^ "Jay-Z: Down To 98 Problems Yet?". MTV. 2007-02-07. http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/07032007/jay_z_down_to_98_problems_yet. Retrieved 2007-03-09.
^ Stutz, Howard (August 28, 2008). "40/40 Club closing to make way for Palazzo sports book". Casino City Times. http://www.casinocitytimes.com/news/article/40-40-club-closing-to-make-way-for-palazzo-sports-book-174907. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
^ http://www.allhiphop.com/Hiphopnews/index.asp?ID=6279^{[dead link]}
^ Beyonce's Rapper Lover Is After A Piece Of Arse: Jay-Z's Footie Bid, The Sunday Mirror, October 9, 2005
^ HHWorlds.com - Jay-Z Teams Up With J Hotels To Develop On $66 Million New York Site
^ Beyonce - Upgrade U (official video)
^ Michelle Tauber (October 25, 2004). "The Good Life". People.com. http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20145815,00.html. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
^ Ehrich Dowd, Kathy; Clehane, Diane and Steve Helling ((2008-04-22)). "Beyonce and Jay-Z File Signed Marriage License". People. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20194030,00.html. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
^ "Beyonce's ring revealed!" People, Vol. 70, No. 12, September 22, 2008, pg. 26.
^ Jay-Z helps UN focus on world water crisis, USA Today, August 9, 2006. Retrieved June 4, 2006.
^ "International Decade for Action: Water for Life, 2005 - 2015". United Nations. http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
^ "Water for Life". MTV. http://www.waterforlife.mtv.com. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
^ "Diddy, Jay-Z give $1 million to Red Cross". MSNBC. 2005-09-02. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9163246/. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
^ "Jay-Z backs Kanye West’s telethon outburst". MSNBC. 2005-09-07. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9248483/. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
^ "For The Record: Quick News On Jay-Z, Metallica, Bow Wow, John Legend, J Dilla, Sufjan Stevens & More". MTV. 2007-02-12. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1552173/20070212/jay_z.jhtml. Retrieved 2008-06-05.

External links

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v • d • e Jay-Z

Studio albums	Reasonable Doubt · In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 · Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life · Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter · The Dynasty: Roc La Familia · The Blueprint · The Blueprint²: The Gift & The Curse · The Black Album · Kingdom Come · American Gangster · The Blueprint 3

Compilations	Jay-Z: Unplugged · Chapter One: Greatest Hits · The Blueprint 2.1 · Bring It On: The Best of Jay-Z · Greatest Hits

Collaborations	Streets Is Watching (soundtrack) (with various artists) · The Best of Both Worlds (with R. Kelly) · Unfinished Business (with R. Kelly) · Collision Course (with Linkin Park)

Tours	Hard Knock Life Tour (1998) · Roc The Mic Tour (2003) · Best of Both Worlds Tour (2004) · American Gangster Live (2007) · Heart of the City Tour (2008) · Jay-Z & Ciara Live (2009) · Fall Tour (2009) · The Blueprint 3 Tour (2010)

Related articles	Discography · Songs · Roc-A-Fella Records · Roc Nation · StarRoc · The 40/40 Club · Jay-Z vs. Nas feud · Beyoncé Knowles · Def Jam Recordings · Fade to Black · Live Nation

v • d • e Jay-Z singles

Reasonable Doubt	"Dead Presidents" · "Ain't No Nigga" · "Can't Knock the Hustle" · "Feelin' It"

In My Lifetime, Vol. 1	"(Always Be My) Sunshine" · "The City Is Mine" · "Wishing On A Star"

Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life	"Can I Get A..." · "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" · "Money, Cash, Hoes" · "Jigga What, Jigga Who"

Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter	"Jigga My Nigga" · "Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)" · Things That U Do" · "Big Pimpin'"

The Dynasty: Roc La Familia	"I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)" · "Change the Game" · "Guilty Until Proven Innocent"

The Blueprint	"Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" · "Girls, Girls, Girls" · "Jigga That Nigga" · "Song Cry"

The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse	"'03 Bonnie & Clyde" · "Hovi Baby" · "Excuse Me Miss"

The Black Album	"What More Can I Say" · "Change Clothes" · "Encore" · "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" · "99 Problems"

Kingdom Come	"Show Me What You Got" · "Lost One" · "Hollywood" · "30 Something"

American Gangster	"Blue Magic" · "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)..." · "I Know"

The Blueprint 3	"D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)" · "Run This Town" · "Empire State of Mind"

Collaborations	"20 Bag Shorty" · "Big Chips" · "Numb/Encore" · "Swagga Like Us"

Featured artist	"Money Ain't a Thang" · "Heartbreaker" · "4 da Fam" · "The Best of Me (Remix)" · "Fiesta (Remix)" · "Guess Who's Back" · "What We Do" · "Frontin'" · "Crazy in Love" · "Dear Summer" · "Go Crazy" · "Get Throwed" · "Déjà Vu" · "Upgrade U" · "Umbrella" · "Lost+"

Soundtrack singles	"Who You Wit" · "It's Alright" · Love for Free · "Girl's Best Friend" · "Hey Papi" · "La-La-La"

Other songs	"In My Lifetime" · "Anything" · "Takeover" · "Mr. Carter" · "Jockin' Jay-Z (Dopeboy Fresh)" · "Brooklyn Go Hard"

v • d • e Def Jam Recordings

Founders	Russel Simmons · Rick Rubin

Current artists	Ace Hood · Amerie · Adrienne Bailon · Beanie Sigel · Big Sean · Blood Raw · Brutha · Chrisette Michele · The-Dream · Electrik Red · Fabolous · Fast Life Yungstaz · Ghostface Killah · I-20 · Jadakiss · Jeremih · Juelz Santana · Kanye West · Karina · Lil Fate · Lil Ru · Lil Scrappy · LL Cool J · Ludacris · Method Man · Method Man & Redman · Nas · Ne-Yo · Patti LaBelle · Playaz Circle · Prince Cy Hi · Q Da Kid · Redman · Rick Ross · Rihanna · The Roots · Triple C's · Shawnna · Shonie · U.S.D.A · Unladylike · Willy Northpole · Young Jeezy

Former artists	3rd Bass · Alyson Williams · Ashanti · Beastie Boys · B.G. Knocc Out · Bobby Valentino · Boss · Black Child · Cam'ron · Capone-N-Noreaga · Case · Chingy · Christina Milian · Cormega · Davy DMX · Def Squad · The Diplomats · DJ Richie Rich · DMX · Domino · Downtown Science · The Dove Shack · Dresta · Dru Hill · EPMD · FAM-LAY · Flatlinerz · Foxy Brown · Funkmaster Flex · Flesh-n-Bone · Ja Rule · Jay-Z · Jayo Felony · Jonell · Keith Murray · Kelly Price · Lady Gaga · Lady Luck · Lloyd · LovHer · Megan Rochell · MoKenStef · Montell Jordan · Musiq Soulchild · Nikki D · N.O.R.E. · Nice & Smooth · Nicole Wray · Onyx · Oran "Juice" Jones · Peedi Peedi · Pete Nice · Playa · Public Enemy · Rell · Rev Run · Richie Rich · Scarface · Shareefa · Shyne · Sisqó · Slayer · Slick Rick · South Central Cartel · Terminator X · Terri Walker · Twiztid · Vita · Warren G · WC

v • d • e Roc-A-Fella Records

Artists	Jadakiss · Kanye West

Former Artists	Allen Anthony · Amil · Aztek Escobar · Billy Gamble & Jackie O. · Bink · Beanie Sigel · Cam'ron · Casha · Christion · Damon Dash · Da Ranjahz · Denim · Diamond in Da Ruff · DJ Clue · Foxy Brown · Freeway · Grafh · Hector "El Father" · Jay-Z · Jadakiss · Juelz Santana · Just Blaze · Kanye West · Kareem "Biggs" Burke · Lil' Red · M.O.P. · Memphis Bleek · Neef Buck · Nicole Wray · N.O.R.E. · Ol' Dirty Bastard · Omillio Sparks · Oschino · Oschino & Sparks · Peedi Peedi · Rell · Rick Vocals · Samantha Ronson · Sauce Money · State Property · Teairra Marí · The Diplomats · Tru-Life · Uncle Murda · Young Chris · Young Gunz · Young Steff

v • d • e Roc Nation

Signed artists	Jay-Z · J.Cole · Bridget Kelly · Sugababes

Managed artists	Wale · Melanie Fiona

v • d • e New Jersey Nets

Formerly the New Jersey Americans and New York Nets • Founded in 1967 • Based in East Rutherford, New Jersey

Franchise	Franchise • History • All-time roster • Head coaches • Seasons • Current season

Arenas	Teaneck Armory • Long Island Arena • Island Garden • Nassau Coliseum • Rutgers Athletic Center • Izod Center • Prudential Center • Barclays Center

Coaches	Zaslofsky • Larese • Carnesecca • Loughery • MacKinnon • Brown • Blair • Albeck • Wohl • MacKinnon • Reed • Fitch • Daly • Beard • Calipari • Casey • Scott • Frank

D-League Affiliate	Springfield Armor

Administration	Owners: Forest City Enterprises led by Bruce Ratner (majority owner) Mary Higgins Clark, Shawn Carter, Lewis Katz (minority owners) • President: Rod Thorn • General Manager: Kiki Vandeweghe • Head Coach: Lawrence Frank

Important Figures	Kenny Anderson • Vince Carter • Derrick Coleman • Chris Douglas-Roberts • Julius Erving • Devin Harris • Richard Jefferson • Jason Kidd • Bernard King • Brook Lopez • Stephon Marbury • Kenyon Martin • Dražen Petrović • Byron Scott • Rod Thorn • Keith Van Horn • Buck Williams • Jayson Williams • John Williamson

Retired Numbers	3 • 4 • 23 • 25 • 32 • 52

ABA Championships (2)	1974 • 1976

Rivals	New York Knicks • Philadelphia 76ers • Boston Celtics • Toronto Raptors

Culture and Lore	Dr. J • Erving for $6 million • Whatever Happened to Micheal Ray? • Jayson Williams • J-Kidd • V.C. • Jay-Z • Brooklyn Nets? • Derrick Coleman • Kenny Anderson • Dražen Petrović • Sly Fox

Media	TV: WWOR-TV • YES Network • Radio: WFAN • Announcers: Marv Albert • Ian Eagle • Mike Fratello • Jim Spanarkel • Chris Carrino • Tim Capstraw

Persondata
NAME	Jay-Z
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Carter, Shawn Corey
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Rapper, entrepreneur
DATE OF BIRTH	December 4, 1970
PLACE OF BIRTH	Brooklyn, New York
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH

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		Who2 Biography. Copyright © 1998-2008 by Who2, LLC. All rights reserved. See the Jay-Z biography from Who2. Read more
		Black Biography. Contemporary Black Biography. Copyright © 2006 by The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more
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Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life [Clean] Buy this CD	Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life Buy this CD	Greatest Hits Buy this CD	Blueprint [Clean] Buy this CD	Guilty Until Proven Innocent [Sweden CD] Buy this CD
Big Pimpin' Buy this CD	Blueprint Buy this CD	Blueprint Buy this CD	Reasonable Doubt/Hard Knock Life, Vol. 2 Buy this CD	Dynasty Roc la Familia [Clean] Buy this CD

Jay-Z

Biography

Contents

Early years

Musical career

1996–97: Reasonable Doubt and In My Lifetime, Vol. 1

1998–2000: Vol. 2... Criminal charges and mainstream success

2001–02: Feud with Nas, The Blueprint and The Blueprint²

2003–05: The Black Album, retirement and Collision Course

2005–07: "I Declare War", Kingdom Come and American Gangster

2008–present: Glastonbury, New Record Deal and The Blueprint 3

Business ventures

Personal life

Relationship with Beyoncé

Philanthropy

Discography

Awards

Filmography

References

External links