“HOV”
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Shawn Corey Carter, better known as Jay-Z, was born on December 4, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York. Raised by his mother in the Marcy Projects, Jay-Z grew up surrounded by drugs, violence, and poverty. He turned to rap as a creative escape, drawing on his experiences to craft autobiographical lyrics. In 1989, he collaborated with Jaz-O, which earned them a spot on Yo! MTV Raps and inspired his stage name, Jay-Z, as an homage to his mentor and his childhood nickname, “Jazzy.”
In 1996 he co-founded Roc-a-Fella Records with Damon Dash and Kareem Burke. That same year, he released his debut album, Reasonable Doubt. His 1998 album, Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life, got him to mainstream success, earning him a Grammy and solidifying his place as one of hip-hop’s biggest stars.
In 2003, Jay-Z released The Black Album and announced his retirement from solo music, citing boredom due to a lack of competition. During his hiatus, he became president of Def Jam Recordings, where he signed Rihanna, Ne-Yo, and helped Kanye West transition into a best-selling artist. Jay-Z also expanded his business portfolio, launching ventures like Rocawear, the 40/40 Club, and Roc Nation Sports, while playing a role in relocating the Brooklyn Nets to his hometown.
Jay-Z ended his retirement in 2006 with Kingdom Come, followed by American Gangster (2007) and The Blueprint 3 (2009), paving the way for years of more music.
In 2008, he partnered with Live Nation to create Roc Nation, an entertainment powerhouse.
Roc Nation partnered with the NFL for entertainment and social activism initiatives, including the Super Bowl Halftime Show and the Inspire Change program. Forbes declared Jay-Z a billionaire, citing his stakes in Armand de Brignac champagne, Uber, and other ventures.
Jay-Z has won 24 Grammy Awards and received 89 nominations, making him one of the most awarded artists in Grammy history. He became the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and was later inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in October 2021.
HELLA INSPIRED.