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 Says Drug Dealer Past Will Help Him As A Sports Agent
Jay Z Says Drug Dealer Past Will Help Him As A Sports Agent
Jay Z Says Drug Dealer Past Will Help Him As A Sports Agent
In the November 2013 issue of famed publication Vanity Fair, Jay Z will be gracing the upcoming cover of the magazine. In the magazine's cover story written by Lisa Robinson, Hov opens up about selling drugs, his daughter's musical tastes his candid thoughts on Obama winning the election and responds to Forbes recent estimation of his $500 million dollar financial worth...
DJ Quik Breaks Down Jay Z’s “Justify My Thug”
DJ Quik Breaks Down Jay Z’s “Justify My Thug”
DJ Quik Breaks Down Jay Z’s “Justify My Thug”
The Black Album is highly regarded as one of Jay Z’s best works and coveted largely because of its production value. One of the projects most random pairings is the DJ Quik produced, “Justify My Thug.” Hov’s Life+Times recently chopped it up with the Cali rapper/beat maker for their Decoded segment and got him to break down his involvement with the song. According to Quik, he ...
Forbes Hip-Hop Cash Kings 2013 By The Numbers
Forbes Hip-Hop Cash Kings 2013 By The Numbers
Forbes Hip-Hop Cash Kings 2013 By The Numbers
Last week, Forbes released its annual "Hip-Hop Cash Kings" list of the richest hip-hop celebrities in all of music. For the first time in the list's eight-year history, the "Cash Kings" list was topped by Diddy after several years of falling just short after being ranked at No ...
Wale Reviews Jay Z’s ‘Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life’
Wale Reviews Jay Z’s ‘Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life’
Wale Reviews Jay Z’s ‘Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life’
Artist: Jay Z Reviewer: Wale Rating: Different Time Period Anniversary: 15-year Jay Z? Greatest to ever do it—hands down. No debate. If you debate you’re really just mad. You got some kinda inner joint, but he knows it though. I think th...
Rappers And Their Famous Footwear (Gallery)
Rappers And Their Famous Footwear (Gallery)
Rappers And Their Famous Footwear (Gallery)
It's a known fact that rappers and their sneakers are like two peas in a pod. Protecting their footwear at all costs, in hip-hop culture it's as if sneakers entail the equivalent value to that of a precious diamond. Check out the gallery of emcees that famously flaunt their footgear...
Irv Gotti Takes The Fault For Past Issues With Jay-Z
Irv Gotti Takes The Fault For Past Issues With Jay-Z
Irv Gotti Takes The Fault For Past Issues With Jay-Z
Amongst the many conflicts Murder Inc. has endured throughout the years, there's one in particular that Irv Gotti whole heartedly takes the blame for. Taking the fault for his once tarnished relationship with Jay-Z, Gotti says that he was completely wrong for attempting to sign Nas at the time of his beef with Jigga...
Kanye West Credits Jay Z For Protecting His Career
Kanye West Credits Jay Z For Protecting His Career
Kanye West Credits Jay Z For Protecting His Career
In the fourth installment of Kanye West's much-talked about interview with Zane Lowe for BBC Radio, the Chicago-rapper opens up about his appreciation for Jay Z's role in growing his career. "I would not be here if not for a Roc-A-Fella chain...
20 Of The Best Rap Outros
20 Of The Best Rap Outros
20 Of The Best Rap Outros
We all know how that it’s important how you start an album or mixtape, but how you finish it is equally vital to the success of any project. The final song, or “Outro” if you will, is the conclusion. It’s the last piece to the puzzle the artist has been building from the moment you pressed play. The way you walk away ...
Jay Z Launching Holiday Collection At Barneys New York
Jay Z Launching Holiday Collection At Barneys New York
Jay Z Launching Holiday Collection At Barneys New York
Jay Z already has plenty of cake, but, why not get more? Hov plans on raising even more chips before the year is out with the launch of a limited edition clothing and apparel collection at luxury department store Barneys New York. The collection will feature collaborations with Lanvin, Balenciaga, Balmain, Proenza Schouler, Rick Owens and Moncler...

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