Shawn Corey Carter was born December 4, 1969 in Brooklyn, NYC, better known by his stage name Jay-Z.He is an American rapper and the current CEO of Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records. Heis one of the most financially successful hip-hop artists and entrepenuers in America.
Jay-Z was one of East Coast rap's top acts as the 21st century began,known for his street-hustler background and for creating his own label, Roc-A-Fella Records.Jay-Z released his debut album Reasonable Doubt in 1996. His breakthrough 1998 album Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life included the huge hits "Can I Get A..." and "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)," the latter featuring a chorus sampled from the Broadway show Annie. The album won a Grammy for best rap album,and Jay-Z's Hard Knock Life Tour cemented his stardom. He has collaborated with DMX, Foxy Brown, Memphis Bleek and others; hislater albums include Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter (1999) and The Blueprint (2001, with producer Kanye West). In 2004 he announced his retirement from recording, and in 2005 he was made the chief executive officer of Def Jam Records. His performing retirement was short-lived: an EP he released with rockers Linkin Park produced the hit song "Numb/Encore," a 2006 Grammy winner. He released a full-length "comeback" album, Kingdom Come, in 2006.
Over 33 million albums sold….
Jay-Z newest album to drop is American Gangster
Jay-Z has also had the ability to work with several other artists such as Beyonce Knowles.
Jay-Z and BeyonceFor more on Jay-Z