Jay-Z

Jay-Z is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished and proficient rappers to ever pick up a microphone. A native of Brooklyn, he spent much of the 1990's trying to break into the rap game while also juggling his time as a street hustler.

Outside of a few early 1990's rap cameos—Jaz-O's "The Originators," Original Flavor's "Can I Get Open" and Big Daddy Kane's "Show & Prove"—Jay was still unsuccessful at securing a label deal for himself. After several failed attempts to get noticed, Jay-Z decided to go independent and formed Roc-A-Fella Records with business partners Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke.

In 1996, Hov kicked off his professional rap career with his stellar debut solo album, Reasonable Doubt, which featured a guest appearance by up-and-coming rap superstar The Notorious B.I.G. The album was a commercial success, reaching platinum status in February of 2002.

Jay's career took off with his 1998 album, Vol. 2…Hard Knock Life, which sold six million copies and included the Annie-sampled "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)." But it was his classic 2001 LP, The Blueprint, that solidified Jay-Z's status as one of hip-hop's G.O.A.Ts (Greatest of All Time).

Jay-Z's talent as a lyricist is undeniable, but he's also made a name for himself in the corporate world. As a savvy businessman, his investments in fashion (Rocawear), liquor (Dussé), a luxury sports bar (40/40 Club), a streaming service (Tidal) and a management agency (Roc Nation), helped him become the wealthiest rapper in the world with a net worth of $2.5 billion.

  • Selected Discography: Reasonable Doubt (1996), The Blueprint (2001), 4:44 (2017), “Can’t Knock the Hustle” (1996), “Takeover” (2001), “4:44″ (2017)
  • Related Artists: Rakim, Nas, The Notorious B.I.G.
  • Read More: Jay-Z’s Biggest Boss Moves of His Career
Jay Z Signs CC Sabathia To Roc Nation Sports
Jay Z Signs CC Sabathia To Roc Nation Sports
Jay Z Signs CC Sabathia To Roc Nation Sports
With Robinson Cano leaving the New York Yankees for the Seattle Mariners, Hov has signed the clubs's ace to Roc Nation Sports. Last night, the pinstriped pitcher took to Twitter to reveal his new choice in representation, and the management company officially welcomed their big name client with a status update of their own...
Learn How Jay Z’s Comador Cigars Are Made
Learn How Jay Z’s Comador Cigars Are Made
Learn How Jay Z’s Comador Cigars Are Made
Last month, Jay Z announced a partnership with Cohiba Red Dot to launch his own line of cigars. Today, Hov released a video on his Life & Times YouTube channel giving viewers a closer look at the step-by-step process behind curating each Comador cigar. Ch...
Aaliyah Will Forever Be The Princess Of Hip-Hop
Aaliyah Will Forever Be The Princess Of Hip-Hop
Aaliyah Will Forever Be The Princess Of Hip-Hop
With today marking what would be the 35th birthday of passed on icon Aaliyah, XXL gathered up a bunch of photos in celebration. With pics of the princess of hip-hop with everyone from Jay Z to Naughty By Nature, XXL presents "Aaliyah, The Princess Of Hip-Hop...
12 Of Aaliyah’s Most Iconic Hip-Hop Tracks
Aaliyah Haughton would have celebrated her 35th birthday today if she was still with us. With the voice of an angel, one could only imagine where Aaliyah’s ascending career would be if she reached her 30s.Though a R&B songstress, Aaliyah contributed her vocals to some rather dope hip-hop tracks in her day. Here’...
Rick Ross Reveals ‘Mastermind’ Release Date
Rick Ross Reveals ‘Mastermind’ Release Date
Rick Ross Reveals ‘Mastermind’ Release Date
With help from Revolt TV and Hype Williams, Rick Ross has announced the release date for Mastermind like a true Bawse. After a postponed 2013 date, the Diddy-engineered album will be dropping March 4th and will feature Rozay's Future-assisted single, "No Games" and "The Devil Is A Lie" with Jay Z...
Jay Z Returns To Barclays Center For Magna Carta World Tour
Jay Z Returns To Barclays Center For Magna Carta World Tour
Jay Z Returns To Barclays Center For Magna Carta World Tour
Photography By: Lauren Gesswein Jay Z is home. On Sunday night (Jan. 12), Hov brought the Magna Carta World Tour to Brooklyn. Instead of putting on a huge spectacle with an innovative stage design like Drake and Kanye West, Jay opted for a pure rap performance...
Best Hip-Hop Instagrams Of The Week
Best Hip-Hop Instagrams Of The Week
Best Hip-Hop Instagrams Of The Week
As hip-hop continues to kick-off 2014, this week on Instagram, the rap realm had a variety of happenings going on. From Future living it up on a tropical vacation to Drake posting the exclusive highlights from "Drake Night," the pictures on Ig were definitely worth more than a thousand words...
Jay Z’s X-Rated Interview
Jay Z’s X-Rated Interview
Jay Z’s X-Rated Interview
Circa 1997, a 28-year-old Jay Z made a guest appearance on an installment of FreakShow, which was notoriously helmed by 2 Live Crew's Luther Campbell. It's an interview in the sense that there's a question and answer dialogue where Uncle Luke inquires about Jay's music and the projects he's working on...
Jay Z And Beyonce Rent Out Theme Park For Blue Ivy
Jay Z And Beyonce Rent Out Theme Park For Blue Ivy
Jay Z And Beyonce Rent Out Theme Park For Blue Ivy
Blue Ivy Carter celebrated her second birthday alongside lemurs, orangutans, kangaroos and penguins on Tuesday. Jay Z and Beyonce rented out Miami's Jungle Island, an amusement park that includes a wildlife park and botanical garden for their daughter's once-in-a-lifetime occasion...

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