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 And Beyoncé Are Going Vegan
Jay Z And Beyoncé Are Going Vegan
Jay Z And Beyoncé Are Going Vegan
Yesterday, Jay Z made a big announcement for a new project in the works. He’s going vegan. On a letter posted on Life + Times, Hov explained his 22-day challenge of going on a “semi-vegan, plant-based diet.” The cleansing system, which is designed by Marco Borges, will have food consisting of no gluten, soy or diary. He also takes “d...
Will Ferrell Is Pleasantly Surprised About Feature In “N*ggas In Paris”
Will Ferrell Is Pleasantly Surprised About Feature In “N*ggas In Paris”
Will Ferrell Is Pleasantly Surprised About Feature In “N*ggas In Paris”
Will Ferrell has become quite a well known figure in the hip-hop realm, even nabbing an excerpt in the Kanye-Jay Z collaboration "Niggas In Paris." As Will's voice is heard on the song's interlude, Jay and Ye' ripped a clip from Ferrell's motion picture Blades Of Glory and the actor is certainly pleased by his addition. ...
Which Rapper Has The Most Platinum Albums Ever?
Which Rapper Has The Most Platinum Albums Ever?
Which Rapper Has The Most Platinum Albums Ever?
You don't have to listen to a rapper expound on their life's philosophy for very long to hear that many consider hip-hop to be a "competitive sport." If we consider that particular chestnut of conventional wisdom to be true then one of the ways you can measure who is winning "the game" is by going to the statistics...
16 Rap Songs That Reference Steve Jobs
16 Rap Songs That Reference Steve Jobs
16 Rap Songs That Reference Steve Jobs
"I think what Kanye West is going to mean is something similar to what Steve Jobs means." Kanye West said those words in an interview with the New York Times back in June and he's been hammering this point home in almost every press appearance since then...
Rappers Who Could Care Less About Black Friday
Rappers Who Could Care Less About Black Friday
Rappers Who Could Care Less About Black Friday
With everyone excited about the sales that come along with black Friday tomorrow, one thought how nice it must be to be able to have black friday year round. Without further ado, XXL presents "Rapper Who Could Care Less About Black Friday...
Timbaland Previews New Song With Jay Z
Timbaland Previews New Song With Jay Z
Timbaland Previews New Song With Jay Z
Timbaland is busy at work, gearing up for his forthcoming LP, Textbook Timbo. The release date is still unknown.  However, while working in the studio, he previews “Bounce,” a track that will feature Jay Z and Meek Mill. You can watch the video above....
Jay Z/Picasso Art Piece To Debut In Miami
Jay Z/Picasso Art Piece To Debut In Miami
Jay Z/Picasso Art Piece To Debut In Miami
Jay Z has been shouting out painter Pablo Picasso since his Reasonable Doubt days when he rapped "You draw, better be Picasso, you know the best" on "Friend Or Foe." It seems as if he will now be joining the 20th-century surrealist artist in a new mixed media art piece that will debut in Miami this week. Artis...
12 Creepy Sculptures Of Rappers
12 Creepy Sculptures Of Rappers
12 Creepy Sculptures Of Rappers
You only have to peruse the lyrics of rap's cultural elites to get a glimpse that hip-hop has a growing appreciation of the classical arts. Whether it is Jay Z, A$AP Rocky or Rick Ross, everybody seems to be jacking for Basquiats these days...
Top Hip-Hop Headlines – 11/18 – 11/22
Top Hip-Hop Headlines – 11/18 – 11/22
Top Hip-Hop Headlines – 11/18 – 11/22
While today might mark the 20th anniversary of Snoop Dogg's classic debut, Doggystyle, hip-hop was alive and buzzing this week. Kanye West played two shows at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, T.I. and Jeezy signed new deals for their labels, and a legendary rap group is set to reunite on stage together...
SCC Moncler’s Leather Sleeve Varsity Jacket for Barneys
SCC Moncler’s Leather Sleeve Varsity Jacket for Barneys
SCC Moncler’s Leather Sleeve Varsity Jacket for Barneys
Shawn Carter Collection for Barney's has officially been released this week at the high-end premium retailer. Incorporated in this extensive collection is the Moncler Leather Sleeve Varsity Jacket, which features premium leather sleeves, nylon body with contrasting zipper pockets and Moncler's signature patch logo at the shoulder...

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