Jay Z wearing pink suit
Hip-Hop

Jay Z

wins

awards count will be here

nominations

awards count will be here
Last updated on
October 28, 2023

Shawn Corey Carter, universally known as Jay-Z, was born on December 4, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York. Raised primarily by his mother in the Marcy Projects, a housing complex notorious for its challenging environment, Jay-Z's early life was steeped in experiences that would later become recurring themes in his music. His initial foray into the music industry was under the stage name Jazzy, which was eventually shortened to Jay-Z, possibly inspired by the J and Z subway lines near his childhood home.

In 1996, Jay-Z co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records with Damon Dash and Kareem Burke to release his debut album, "Reasonable Doubt." The album was a commercial success, selling over a million copies in the United States alone. This marked the beginning of an illustrious career that would make him one of the most influential figures in hip-hop and beyond.

Jay-Z's subsequent albums, including "Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life" (1998) and "The Blueprint" (2001), not only topped the charts but also won him critical acclaim and several Grammy Awards. Despite facing legal issues related to a 1999 nightclub stabbing, his career trajectory remained largely unaffected. In 2003, he released "The Black Album" and announced his retirement as a performer, only to return to music shortly thereafter.

In 2004, Jay-Z took on an executive role, becoming the president of Def Jam Recordings. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in the careers of artists like Rihanna and Ne-Yo. However, he stepped down in 2007 to focus on his own label, Roc Nation, founded in 2008. The label quickly expanded into a full-service entertainment conglomerate, managing artists, athletes, and even venturing into film and television production.

Jay-Z's personal life also saw significant milestones during this period. He married Beyoncé Knowles in 2008, and the couple has since become a symbol of both romantic and professional partnership. His business ventures diversified further, including a clothing line, a film production company, and a stake in the Brooklyn Nets NBA team.

Musically, Jay-Z continued to evolve. His 2009 album "The Blueprint 3" featured hits like "Empire State of Mind," a tribute to New York City featuring Alicia Keys. His collaboration with Kanye West, "Watch the Throne" (2011), was both a commercial and critical success. In 2013, he released "Magna Carta Holy Grail," an album that delved into the complexities of fame and wealth. Despite mixed reviews, it topped the charts and added two more Grammys to his collection.

In 2017, Jay-Z released "4:44," an album that stood out for its emotional depth and candidness, addressing issues ranging from infidelity to social justice. The album was exclusive to TIDAL, a streaming service Jay-Z acquired in 2015, further showcasing his business acumen.

As of 2023, Jay-Z's net worth is estimated at $2.5 billion, making him the wealthiest musical artist in the world. His influence extends beyond music and business; he is a cultural icon who has made significant contributions to social justice and philanthropy.

PopFiltr Awards: nominations/wins/vote

More About

Jay Z
Alicia-Keys-and-Jay-Z, Empire state of mind, riia diamond
Empire State of Mind by JAY-Z & Alicia Keys Reaches Diamond Certification

JAY-Z and Alicia Keys' iconic track 'Empire State of Mind' achieved diamond certification, celebrating over 10 million units sold and solidifying its legacy as a New York anthem.

Spotify includes Sabrina Carpenter's 'Please Please Please' on unrelated playlists, users frustrated, accuse Spotify in payola
ALL Top 50 Artists on Spotify Have Sabrina Carpenter's 'Please Please Please' at Number 2 on Their Artist or Song Radios

Sabrina Carpenter's latest single, "Please Please Please," has taken the Spotify world by storm, securing the number 2 spot on the artist and song radios of Spotify's top 50 artists.

Kanye West (Ye) and Ty Dolla $ign for 'Vultures' release on Jan 12
Kanye West And Ty Dolla $ign's 'Vultures' New Release Date

The highly anticipated album 'Vultures' by Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, and Ty Dolla $ign, is now set to be released on January 12th, after a recent change in its launch schedule.

Paul McCartney, Jay Z, Taylor Swift, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Rihanna
Meet the Musicians in the Billion Dollar Club Who Turned Notes into Fortunes

From Jay-Z's venture capital triumphs to Taylor Swift's strategic re-recordings, discover the musicians who've not only topped the charts but also crossed the billion-dollar net worth threshold.

Taylor Swift performs during the Era Tour wearing dazzling outfit
Taylor Swift Hits Billionaire Status After The Success Of Era Tour

Taylor Swift isn't just making hits, she's making history. Her climb to billionaire status shows how she's mastered the art of turning music into money, setting new records not just in music but in business too.

What are you in a mood for?

Filtr through our playlists..

Electrified album cover image
Rocking indie album cover image
R&B Fersh album cover image
Today's Top Picks album cover image
Rap Ice album cover image
Smart is sexy album cover image
Choice Party Songs album cover image
New Pop album cover image
Hidden Gems album cover image
Fresh Chill album cover image
Around The Globe album cover image
Creative Monsters album cover image
Young & Hot album cover image

Have a song?

Send it to be considered for a placement on PopFiltr's playlists..

Submit
Your add could be here

Latest on PopFiltr

Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter!

With the latest celebrity news, music reviews, and exclusive interviews, our weekly newsletter has everything you need to stay up-to-date on all things music.

Check - Elements Webflow Library - BRIX Templates
Thanks for joining our newsletter
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
By subscribing to this PopFiltr newsletter, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy