Biography
Emerging from Brooklyn's housing projects to claim a position of unmatched dominance, the New York rapper, beat-maker, and business visionary Jay-Z lived out the classic story of rising from hardship to extraordinary wealth. He ranked among the era's most accomplished lyricists while constructing a commercial empire that placed him among music's wealthiest figures. His late-'90s arrival with Reasonable Doubt and In My Lifetime, Vol 1 launched a sustained chart presence that delivered more than a dozen Billboard 200 leaders across twenty years, among them the multi-platinum, Grammy-winning Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life (1999), the Blueprint trilogy (2001, 2002, 2009), and The Black Album (2003). Beyond solo releases, Jay-Z achieved broad pop, R&B, and rock crossover through partnerships with rising talent Rihanna on their Grammy-winning "Umbrella" (2008), alternative metal group Linkin Park for the 2004 mash-up project Collision Course, Alicia Keys on New York City's unofficial anthem, the chart-topping "Empire State of Mind" (2011), longtime counterpart Kanye West for Watch the Throne (2012), and spouse Beyoncé across numerous hit singles, global tours, and the joint album Everything Is Love (2018). He further supplied the track "What It Feels Like" to the soundtrack of the Oscar-nominated 2021 film Judas and The Black Messiah. Outside performing, Jay-Z has directed labels including Roc-A-Fella, Roc Nation, and Def Jam, owned an NBA franchise in the Brooklyn Nets, developed real estate, and launched clothing lines.
Born in 1969 and raised in Brooklyn's tough Marcy Projects, Jay-Z grew up under his mother's care and gravitated toward street life, where he first earned local notice as an aspiring rapper and drug dealer. Known in the neighborhood as "Jazzy," he shortened the name to Jay-Z and pursued every opportunity to enter the rap industry. As he later recounted in his lyrics, he also operated as a street-level hustler during this period, taking whatever steps were required to generate income. For a stretch he moved alongside rapper Jaz-O, aka Big Jaz, from whom he absorbed lessons on maneuvering through the music business and choosing the right career moves. He briefly joined the collective Original Flavor as well. Rather than follow Jaz's example by signing with an existing label, Jay-Z made the unconventional choice to launch his own imprint. Alongside associates Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, he founded Roc-a-Fella Records. After securing distribution through Priority Records and later Def Jam, he completed the necessary groundwork for his debut, Reasonable Doubt (1996).
Although Reasonable Doubt peaked at number 23 on the Billboard 200, the project eventually earned classic status among listeners, with many regarding it as his finest work. Powered by the hit duet "Ain't No Nigga" featuring Foxy Brown, the album circulated gradually through New York, attracting some fans via high-profile contributions from DJ Premier and the Notorious B.I.G., others through its gangsta themes that aligned with prevailing trends, and still others through Jay-Z's own presence. By the conclusion of its measured campaign, Reasonable Doubt produced three additional charting singles—"Can't Knock the Hustle," "Dead Presidents," and "Feelin' It"—and paved the way for the follow-up, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997).
Reaching number three on the Billboard 200, In My Lifetime sold far more briskly than the first album. It enlisted crossover-oriented producers such as Puff Daddy and Teddy Riley, while tracks like "Sunshine" and "The City Is Mine" highlighted a fresh willingness to court mainstream audiences. At the same time, hard-edged cuts including "Streets Is Watching" and "Rap Game/Crack Game" kept gangsta rap elements prominent throughout the project. Jay-Z followed with Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life (1998), released the next year and packed with successful singles: "Can I Get A..." and "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" entered the Billboard Hot 100 top 20, while "Cash, Money, Hoes" and "Nigga What, Nigga Who" also registered on the chart. Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life ultimately received a Grammy for Best Rap Album.
Maintaining his pace, Jay-Z issued Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter (1999) a year later; it topped the Billboard 200 and yielded two hits, "Big Pimpin'" and "Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)." The set proved his most collaborative effort up to that point, incorporating ten guest vocalists and a roster of sought-after producers such as Dr. Dre and Timbaland. He then moderated his output for Dynasty Roc la Familia (2000), his fifth album in five years, spotlighting Roc-a-Fella roster members Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, and Freeway. On that project Jay-Z also began working with emerging producers the Neptunes, Kanye West, and Just Blaze; the Neptunes-crafted "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)" became a major single.
The Blueprint (2001) cemented Jay-Z's standing at the pinnacle of New York rap. Before its arrival, he stirred excitement with a headline set at Hot 97's Summer Jam 2001, where he premiered "Takeover." The track contained a pointed verse targeting Prodigy of Mobb Deep, amplified by oversized images of a young Prodigy in dance attire. The album version added a third verse aimed at Nas, who had countered the Summer Jam appearance by labeling Jay-Z "the fake king of New York" in the freestyle "Stillmatic." As anticipated, "Takeover" sparked an exchange; Nas answered with "Ether," prompting Jay-Z's reply "Super Ugly," which rode the instrumental of Nas' "Get Ur Self A..." on the first verse and Dr. Dre's "Bad Intentions" on the second. The publicized back-and-forth generated extensive attention for both artists. Beyond "Takeover," The Blueprint included "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)," one of the year's biggest songs, and topped numerous year-end lists.
Jay-Z extended the momentum of The Blueprint through several subsequent efforts. He teamed with the Roots for the Unplugged album (2001) and with R. Kelly for Best of Both Worlds (2002). Over the course of that year he recorded roughly forty new tracks, twenty-five of which surfaced on the double album The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse (2002). Although presented as a sequel, the set diverged sharply from its predecessor: where the original had been intimate, deliberate, and concentrated, the follow-up delivered an expansive two-disc showcase of wide-ranging ambition. It generated a steady flow of singles, beginning with his 2Pac cover "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" featuring future wife Beyoncé. Jay-Z also appeared on two major summer 2003 hits: Beyoncé's chart-topping "Crazy in Love" and Pharrell Williams' top-five entry "Frontin'."
At that juncture Jay-Z declared his upcoming retirement following one final album. Released in a rush by Def Jam, The Black Album (2003) ascended to the top of the Billboard chart as the year closed. It produced major singles "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" and "99 Problems" and inspired Danger Mouse's widely circulated mash-up bootleg The Grey Album. The ensuing year proved eventful for the retiring artist: he mounted a farewell tour capped by a lavish Madison Square Garden show captured on the Fade to Black DVD and joined R. Kelly for an arena run.
With his profile at an all-time high, Jay-Z accepted the presidency of Def Jam. The historic rap imprint required leadership through a difficult transition, and Jay-Z stepped in to steer the company Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin had founded roughly two decades earlier. Universal's parent company purchased Roc-a-Fella as part of the arrangement. The appointment drew considerable attention, as Jay-Z became one of the few African-American executives at a major label. While many rappers ran boutique imprints, none had previously reached such corporate heights. He approached the role seriously, evidenced by his first year in charge: within months he signed and developed new artists including Young Jeezy and Rihanna.
Jay-Z emerged from retirement in 2005 for the I Declare War concert in New York City. The elaborate event showcased an array of prominent guests such as Diddy and Kanye West, and, in a conciliatory gesture, Nas. With the long-standing rivalry resolved, Jay-Z stated he was returning permanently. He confirmed the decision with Kingdom Come (2006) and continued with American Gangster (2007), drawing inspiration from the film of the same title. After departing Def Jam and founding Roc Nation—a label, publisher, and Live Nation-affiliated agency—he delivered the third Blueprint installment, The Blueprint 3 (2009). Launched with the single "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)," the album featured production from Kanye West and Timbaland plus appearances by West, Rihanna, and Alicia Keys, the latter on "Empire State of Mind," one of Jay-Z's biggest career hits. Over the following two years Jay-Z and West, accompanied by various collaborators, crafted Watch the Throne (2011). The project debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 behind the major singles "Otis" and "Niggas in Paris."
On January 7, 2012, Beyoncé gave birth to Blue Ivy Carter. Jay-Z promptly issued "Glory," featuring his daughter credited as B.I.C., making her the youngest person to appear on a Billboard-charting single. High-profile television spots several months later revealed his twelfth solo album, Magna Carta...Holy Grail (2012). Issued July 4, it carried production from Timbaland and partner Jerome "J. Roc" Harmon, while the lead track featured Justin Timberlake, with whom Jay-Z toured that summer. In subsequent years Jay-Z focused mainly on business and philanthropic activities as well as the documentary Time: The Kalief Browder Story. He surfaced on select tracks led by other artists, including Drake's "Pop Style" and DJ Khaled's "I Got the Keys." Additional joint appearances, such as his and Beyoncé's contributions to Khaled's "Shining," together with his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame as the first rap artist and the arrival of newborn twins in the Carter family, preceded 4:44 (2017). His thirteenth studio album, a critically praised platinum-certified release, entered at number one on the Billboard 200 and earned Grammy nominations for Album of the Year and Song of the Year (for the single "The Story of O.J.") at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018. Later that year he joined Beyoncé for the international stadium tour On the Run II. To mark the run, the pair surprise-released Everything Is Love as the Carters. Featuring the Migos-assisted lead single "Apeshit"—promoted via a Louvre-shot video—Everything Is Love debuted at number two and included production by Pharrell Williams, Mike Dean, Cool & Dre, Boi-1da, and others. In 2021 Jay-Z added the track "What It Feels Like" (featuring the late Nipsey Hussle) to the soundtrack of the Oscar-nominated film Judas and The Black Messiah.
Born in 1969 and raised in Brooklyn's tough Marcy Projects, Jay-Z grew up under his mother's care and gravitated toward street life, where he first earned local notice as an aspiring rapper and drug dealer. Known in the neighborhood as "Jazzy," he shortened the name to Jay-Z and pursued every opportunity to enter the rap industry. As he later recounted in his lyrics, he also operated as a street-level hustler during this period, taking whatever steps were required to generate income. For a stretch he moved alongside rapper Jaz-O, aka Big Jaz, from whom he absorbed lessons on maneuvering through the music business and choosing the right career moves. He briefly joined the collective Original Flavor as well. Rather than follow Jaz's example by signing with an existing label, Jay-Z made the unconventional choice to launch his own imprint. Alongside associates Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, he founded Roc-a-Fella Records. After securing distribution through Priority Records and later Def Jam, he completed the necessary groundwork for his debut, Reasonable Doubt (1996).
Although Reasonable Doubt peaked at number 23 on the Billboard 200, the project eventually earned classic status among listeners, with many regarding it as his finest work. Powered by the hit duet "Ain't No Nigga" featuring Foxy Brown, the album circulated gradually through New York, attracting some fans via high-profile contributions from DJ Premier and the Notorious B.I.G., others through its gangsta themes that aligned with prevailing trends, and still others through Jay-Z's own presence. By the conclusion of its measured campaign, Reasonable Doubt produced three additional charting singles—"Can't Knock the Hustle," "Dead Presidents," and "Feelin' It"—and paved the way for the follow-up, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997).
Reaching number three on the Billboard 200, In My Lifetime sold far more briskly than the first album. It enlisted crossover-oriented producers such as Puff Daddy and Teddy Riley, while tracks like "Sunshine" and "The City Is Mine" highlighted a fresh willingness to court mainstream audiences. At the same time, hard-edged cuts including "Streets Is Watching" and "Rap Game/Crack Game" kept gangsta rap elements prominent throughout the project. Jay-Z followed with Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life (1998), released the next year and packed with successful singles: "Can I Get A..." and "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" entered the Billboard Hot 100 top 20, while "Cash, Money, Hoes" and "Nigga What, Nigga Who" also registered on the chart. Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life ultimately received a Grammy for Best Rap Album.
Maintaining his pace, Jay-Z issued Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter (1999) a year later; it topped the Billboard 200 and yielded two hits, "Big Pimpin'" and "Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)." The set proved his most collaborative effort up to that point, incorporating ten guest vocalists and a roster of sought-after producers such as Dr. Dre and Timbaland. He then moderated his output for Dynasty Roc la Familia (2000), his fifth album in five years, spotlighting Roc-a-Fella roster members Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, and Freeway. On that project Jay-Z also began working with emerging producers the Neptunes, Kanye West, and Just Blaze; the Neptunes-crafted "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)" became a major single.
The Blueprint (2001) cemented Jay-Z's standing at the pinnacle of New York rap. Before its arrival, he stirred excitement with a headline set at Hot 97's Summer Jam 2001, where he premiered "Takeover." The track contained a pointed verse targeting Prodigy of Mobb Deep, amplified by oversized images of a young Prodigy in dance attire. The album version added a third verse aimed at Nas, who had countered the Summer Jam appearance by labeling Jay-Z "the fake king of New York" in the freestyle "Stillmatic." As anticipated, "Takeover" sparked an exchange; Nas answered with "Ether," prompting Jay-Z's reply "Super Ugly," which rode the instrumental of Nas' "Get Ur Self A..." on the first verse and Dr. Dre's "Bad Intentions" on the second. The publicized back-and-forth generated extensive attention for both artists. Beyond "Takeover," The Blueprint included "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)," one of the year's biggest songs, and topped numerous year-end lists.
Jay-Z extended the momentum of The Blueprint through several subsequent efforts. He teamed with the Roots for the Unplugged album (2001) and with R. Kelly for Best of Both Worlds (2002). Over the course of that year he recorded roughly forty new tracks, twenty-five of which surfaced on the double album The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse (2002). Although presented as a sequel, the set diverged sharply from its predecessor: where the original had been intimate, deliberate, and concentrated, the follow-up delivered an expansive two-disc showcase of wide-ranging ambition. It generated a steady flow of singles, beginning with his 2Pac cover "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" featuring future wife Beyoncé. Jay-Z also appeared on two major summer 2003 hits: Beyoncé's chart-topping "Crazy in Love" and Pharrell Williams' top-five entry "Frontin'."
At that juncture Jay-Z declared his upcoming retirement following one final album. Released in a rush by Def Jam, The Black Album (2003) ascended to the top of the Billboard chart as the year closed. It produced major singles "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" and "99 Problems" and inspired Danger Mouse's widely circulated mash-up bootleg The Grey Album. The ensuing year proved eventful for the retiring artist: he mounted a farewell tour capped by a lavish Madison Square Garden show captured on the Fade to Black DVD and joined R. Kelly for an arena run.
With his profile at an all-time high, Jay-Z accepted the presidency of Def Jam. The historic rap imprint required leadership through a difficult transition, and Jay-Z stepped in to steer the company Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin had founded roughly two decades earlier. Universal's parent company purchased Roc-a-Fella as part of the arrangement. The appointment drew considerable attention, as Jay-Z became one of the few African-American executives at a major label. While many rappers ran boutique imprints, none had previously reached such corporate heights. He approached the role seriously, evidenced by his first year in charge: within months he signed and developed new artists including Young Jeezy and Rihanna.
Jay-Z emerged from retirement in 2005 for the I Declare War concert in New York City. The elaborate event showcased an array of prominent guests such as Diddy and Kanye West, and, in a conciliatory gesture, Nas. With the long-standing rivalry resolved, Jay-Z stated he was returning permanently. He confirmed the decision with Kingdom Come (2006) and continued with American Gangster (2007), drawing inspiration from the film of the same title. After departing Def Jam and founding Roc Nation—a label, publisher, and Live Nation-affiliated agency—he delivered the third Blueprint installment, The Blueprint 3 (2009). Launched with the single "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)," the album featured production from Kanye West and Timbaland plus appearances by West, Rihanna, and Alicia Keys, the latter on "Empire State of Mind," one of Jay-Z's biggest career hits. Over the following two years Jay-Z and West, accompanied by various collaborators, crafted Watch the Throne (2011). The project debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 behind the major singles "Otis" and "Niggas in Paris."
On January 7, 2012, Beyoncé gave birth to Blue Ivy Carter. Jay-Z promptly issued "Glory," featuring his daughter credited as B.I.C., making her the youngest person to appear on a Billboard-charting single. High-profile television spots several months later revealed his twelfth solo album, Magna Carta...Holy Grail (2012). Issued July 4, it carried production from Timbaland and partner Jerome "J. Roc" Harmon, while the lead track featured Justin Timberlake, with whom Jay-Z toured that summer. In subsequent years Jay-Z focused mainly on business and philanthropic activities as well as the documentary Time: The Kalief Browder Story. He surfaced on select tracks led by other artists, including Drake's "Pop Style" and DJ Khaled's "I Got the Keys." Additional joint appearances, such as his and Beyoncé's contributions to Khaled's "Shining," together with his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame as the first rap artist and the arrival of newborn twins in the Carter family, preceded 4:44 (2017). His thirteenth studio album, a critically praised platinum-certified release, entered at number one on the Billboard 200 and earned Grammy nominations for Album of the Year and Song of the Year (for the single "The Story of O.J.") at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018. Later that year he joined Beyoncé for the international stadium tour On the Run II. To mark the run, the pair surprise-released Everything Is Love as the Carters. Featuring the Migos-assisted lead single "Apeshit"—promoted via a Louvre-shot video—Everything Is Love debuted at number two and included production by Pharrell Williams, Mike Dean, Cool & Dre, Boi-1da, and others. In 2021 Jay-Z added the track "What It Feels Like" (featuring the late Nipsey Hussle) to the soundtrack of the Oscar-nominated film Judas and The Black Messiah.
Albums
HOV DID
2022
4:44
2017
Vol. 3... Life And Times Of S. Carter
2015
Magna Carta... Holy Grail
2013
Watch The Throne (Deluxe)
2011
American Gangster
2011
Watch The Throne
2011
The Hits Collection Volume One (Deluxe)
2010
The Hits Collection Volume One (Deluxe Edition (Explicit))
2010
The Hits Collection Volume One
2010
The Hits Collection Volume One (Edited Version)
2010
The Blueprint Collector's Edition (Explicit Version)
2009
The Blueprint 3
2009
Blueprint 2.1
2009
American Gangster Acappella
2007
The Blueprint (Edited Version)
2007
The Blueprint (Explicit Version)
2007
Kingdom Come
2006
Collision Course
2004
The Black Album
2004
The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse
2002
Jay-Z Unplugged
2001
The Dynasty: Roc La Familia 2000
2000
The Dynasty: Roc La Familia
2000
Vol.2... Hard Knock Life
1998
In My Lifetime, Vol.1
1997
Reasonable Doubt
1996
Singles
NEW YORK (CONCEPT DE PARIS)
2023
Come On Baby (2023 Remastered)
2011
Swagga Like Us
2008
Blue Magic
2007
Numb / Encore: MTV Ultimate Mash-Ups Presents Collision Course
2004
Dirt Off Your Shoulde r/ Lying From You: MTV Ultimate Mash-Ups Presents Collision Course
2004
Storm
2004
Frontin' On Debra ((DJ Reset Mash Up))
2004
Hard Knock Life
1998
Dead Presidents
1996
Live
