Jay-Z
Sign in to saveShawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, businessman, and record executive. He was named the greatest rapper of all time by Billboard and Vibe in 2023. Rooted in East Coast hip-hop, Jay-Z is known for his complex lyricism that often uses double entendres, wordplay, and braggadocio. His music is built on a rags to riches narrative. He is the wealthiest musical artist in history, worth US$2.8 billion as of 2026.
AI overview
Jay-Z is an American rapper and businessman who rose from poverty to become the wealthiest musician in history, known for his clever wordplay and stories about overcoming hardship. He was recognized by major music publications in 2023 as the greatest rapper of all time, cementing his influence on East Coast hip-hop and popular culture.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Person
- Born
- 1969-12-04
via Open Library + Wikidata
Film & TV
Acting · New York City, New York, USA
Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as JAŸ-Z (Jay-Z), is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and chairman of entertainment company Roc Nation, and was the president and chief executive officer of Def Jam Recordings from 2004 to 2007. One of the world's best-selling music artists with over 140 million records sold, Jay-Z has won 24…
Known for
- Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music — Self (archive footage)2025
- TMZ Presents: The Downfall of Diddy — Self (archive footage)2024
- Piece by Piece — Jay-Z (voice)2024
- The Hustle of @617MikeBiv — Self2023
- Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé — Self2023
- Jay-Z: Ultimate Hustle — self2023
- JAY-Z and Gayle King: Brooklyn's Own2023
- Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL — Self (archive footage)2022
- 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony — Self (archive footage)2022
Article
42 sectionsContents
- Early life and education
- Career
- 1986–1995: Early career and recordings
- 1995–2000: ''Reasonable Doubt'', ''In My Lifetime, Vol. 1'', ''Vol. 2...'', ''Vol. 3...'', and ''The Dynasty''
- 2001–2002: Feud with Nas, Prodigy, ''The Blueprint'' and ''The Blueprint<sup>2</sup>''
- 2003–2005: ''The Black Album'' and initial retirement
- 2005–2007: ''Kingdom Come'' and ''American Gangster''
- 2008–2011: ''The Blueprint 3'' and ''Watch the Throne''
- 2012–2016: ''Magna Carta Holy Grail'' and other ventures
- 2017–present: ''4:44'', ''Everything Is Love'' and Book of HOV exhibit
- Musical style
- Influences
- Rapping technique
- Business career
- Rocawear
- Reebok
- Alcoholic beverages
- Technology
- Music industry
- Sporting business
- Media
- Other ventures
- Personal life
- Relationship with Beyoncé
- Legal issues and controversies
- 1999 Lance "Un" Rivera stabbing
- Civil lawsuits
- Philanthropy
- Political involvement
- Discography
- Filmography
- Tours
- Headlining
- Co-headlining
- Supporting
- Books
- Awards and nominations
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, businessman, and record executive. He was named the greatest rapper of all time by Billboard and Vibe in 2023. Rooted in East Coast hip-hop, Jay-Z is known for his complex lyricism that often uses double entendres, wordplay, and braggadocio. His music is built on a rags to riches narrative. He is the wealthiest musical artist in history, worth US$2.8 billion as of 2026.
A protégé of fellow New York City-based rapper Jaz-O, Jay-Z began recording music in the late 1980s. He co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records in 1994 to release his first two studio albums, Reasonable Doubt (1996) and In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997), both of which received acclaim. His 11 subsequent albums, including The Blueprint (2001), The Black Album (2003), American Gangster (2007), and 4:44 (2017), have each debuted atop the Billboard 200. Jay-Z has a total of 14 number-one albums on the chart, the joint-third most in history. He topped the Billboard Hot 100 on four occasions: once as a lead artist with his 2009 single "Empire State of Mind" (featuring Alicia Keys), and three times with his guest performances on the singles "Heartbreaker" (1999) by Mariah Carey, "Crazy in Love" (2003) by Beyoncé, and "Umbrella" (2007) by Rihanna.
Gallery (32)
Connections
Categories
1969 births20th-century American businesspeople20th-century American male musicians20th-century American male rappers20th-century American musicians20th-century American rappers21st-century African-American businesspeople21st-century American businesspeople21st-century American essayists21st-century American male rappers21st-century American male writers