Jay-ZShawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper and businessman. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having had a net worth of over USD United States dollar $500 million in 2009, He has sold 40 million albums worldwide Jay-Z co-owns The 40/40 Club, is part-owner of the NBA National Basketball Association 's New Jersey Nets and is also the creator of the clothing line Rocawear. He is the former CEO of Def Jam Recordings, one of the three founders of Roc-A-Fella Records and recently, the founder of his new venture Roc Nation. As an artist he holds the record for most number one albums by a solo artist on the Billboard 200. Jay-Z also has had 4 number ones on the Billboard Hot 100, one as lead artist. ("Heartbreaker Heartbreaker (Mariah Carey song) " with Mariah Carey, "Crazy in Love Crazy in Love (Beyoncé song) " with Beyonce, "Umbrella Umbrella (song) " with Rihanna and "Empire State of Mind" featuring Alicia Keys.) Along with his financial and musical success, Jay-Z is known for quarrelling with other artists in the rap industry, the most famous feud being between him and fellow New York rapper Nas Jay-Z vs. Nas feud , which was eventually settled in 2005./charts-decade-end/artists-of-the-decade?year=2009 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 Priority Records 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 Clark Kent (producer) and a notable appearance by The Notorious B.I.G.. Despite reaching only number 23 on the Billboard 200 Billboard 200 , the album was well-received by critics. After reaching a new distribution deal with Def Jam Def Jam Recordings in 1997, Jay-Z released his follow-up In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. Executively produced by Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs Sean 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. 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 Ski (producer) . Like its predecessor, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 earned Platinum status in the United States. 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. 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. 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. 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. A line at the end of "Takeover" referenced Nas, who criticized him on "We Will Survive". 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 vs. Nas feud . 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 The Source (magazine)#The Source's Five Mic Albums from The Source The Source (magazine) magazine. Released during the wake of September 11 attacks, the album managed to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 Billboard 200 , selling more than 427,000 units; the album's success was overshadowed by the tragic event. The Blueprint has been certified 3x Platinum in the United States. 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 Girls, Girls, Girls (Jay-Z song) , Jigga That Nigga and Song Cry. Jay-Z's next solo album was 2002's 3 million (U.S. only) selling 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 Bonnie & Clyde (song) " 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.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 Sean 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 General Motors , where there's no emotional attachment." He is the founder of the urban clothing brand Rocawear along with Damon Dash. 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. 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 Atlantic City, New Jersey 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. 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. He is a part-owner of the New Jersey Nets NBA National Basketball Association 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 Association football team. 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. Through his company Gain Global Investments Network LLC, had an interest estimated beteen 2 and 7% in the Aqueduct Entertainment Group (AEG) consortium which in January 2010 was awarded a contract to operate a 4,500 slot machine racino at the Aqueduct Race Track. Jay-Z became interested in the project after New York Governor David Paterson who awarded the contract said there had to be an affirmative action component to the ownership. Jay-Z initially approached Steve Wynn who was also bidding on the contract. Wynn eventually dropped out of the bidding saying the process was too murky and confusing. He then joined AEG which at the time at the worst bid of the six running for the track. AEG upped its bid so that it eventually had the best deal for the state. The process is reported to be investigated by the U.S. prosecutors -- particularly in light of a charge that AEG won the bid two days after Queens politician Floyd Flake (who is also an investor in AEG) threatened to switch his support in the 2010 governor race from Paterson to Andrew Cuomo. New York house speaker Sheldon Silver has threatened not to sign off on the deal. Paterson has maintained there was no quid pro quo. On March 9, 2010, Jay-Z and Flake withdrew from the project and Paterson recused himself from further involvement. 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 & Beyoncé collaborated for the song "Bonnie & Clyde". Jay-Z also appeared on Knowles' hit single "Crazy In Love Crazy in Love (Beyoncé Knowles song) " 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 Déjà Vu (Beyoncé Knowles song) " and "Upgrade U". In the video for the latter song, she comically imitates his appearance. 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 People (magazine) article, "We don't play with our relationship. " They keep a low public profile despite being photographed at New Jersey Nets home games and while on vacation in Cannes in 2007. 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. It became a matter of public record on April 22, 2008, 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. Philanthropy . During his retirement, Jay-Z also became involved in philanthropic philanthropy 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. The effort took place in partnership with the UN, as well as MTV, which produced a documentary entitled Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life, first airing in November 2006. Along with Sean "Diddy" Combs Sean Combs , Jay-Z pledged $1 million to the American Red Cross' relief effort after Hurricane Katrina. Jay-Z stated his support for Kanye West after the latter's outburst against President Bush George W. Bush during a live Katrina charity telethon. He also addressed the issue of the Katrina disaster, and the government's response, in his song "Minority Report Minority Report (Jay-Z song) ".;'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 The Black Album (Jay-Z album) (2003) * Kingdom Come Kingdom Come (Jay-Z album) (2006) * American Gangster American Gangster (album) (2007) * The Blueprint 3 (2009) ;'Collaboration albums' * Streets Is Watching Streets Is Watching (soundtrack) (1998) * The Best of Both Worlds The Best of Both Worlds (R. Kelly & Jay-Z album) (2002) – with R. Kelly * Unfinished Business Unfinished Business (R. Kelly & Jay-Z album) (2004) – with R. Kelly * Collision Course Collision Course (album) (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 Greatest Hits (Jay-Z album) (2006)*Streets Is Watching Streets Is Watching (film) (1998) *Backstage Backstage (2000 film) (2000) *State Property (2002) *Paper Soldiers (2003) *Fade to Black Fade to Black (2004 film) (2004)
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