Jay-Z (Shawn Carter)
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| Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Jay-Z |
| Caption | Shawn Carter in 2019 |
| Birth name | Shawn Corey Carter |
| Birth date | 4 December 1969 |
| Birth place | Brooklyn, New York City, New York |
| Occupation | Rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, producer |
| Years active | 1986–present |
Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) Shawn Corey Carter, known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record executive, and entrepreneur from Brooklyn, New York City. He emerged from the 1990s hip hop scene with breakthrough albums and co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records, later expanding into ventures spanning music, sports, fashion, and streaming. His career intersects with major figures and institutions across hip hop, popular music, finance, and philanthropy.
Early life and education
Born in Brooklyn, Carter grew up in the Marcy Houses public housing complex in the Bedford–Stuyvesant neighborhood of New York City. He attended Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn and briefly enrolled at High School of Art and Design programs and local vocational training before focusing on music. Influenced by regional scenes in Harlem, Queens, and The Bronx, he connected with contemporaries in East Coast hip hop, including artists associated with Def Jam Recordings, Bad Boy Records, and independent labels like Rawkus Records.
Music career
Carter's early work involved collaborations with DJs and producers linked to DJ Clark Kent, Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, and The Neptunes. He co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records with partners including Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, releasing seminal albums such as Reasonable Doubt, The Blueprint, and The Black Album. He has collaborated with artists and groups including Notorious B.I.G., Beyoncé Knowles, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Lil Wayne, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Pharrell Williams, Mariah Carey, Jay Electronica, Linkin Park, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, 2Pac, Mary J. Blige, Rick Ross, J. Cole, Chance the Rapper, A$AP Rocky, Mobb Deep, Watch the Throne collaborators, and producers connected to Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment. He served as president of Def Jam Recordings, signed artists to Roc Nation, and influenced industry practices around sampling, publishing, and touring. Landmark performances and releases involved venues and events such as Madison Square Garden, Coachella, Glastonbury Festival, and televised specials on MTV and BET.
Business ventures and investments
Beyond music, Carter expanded into business sectors through entities like Roc Nation, Rocawear, and investments in Tidal and Armand de Brignac champagne. He partnered with investment firms and individuals associated with Live Nation Entertainment, Amazon Music, Paramount Pictures, and Destiny's Child-adjacent management circles. He holds stakes in Brooklyn Nets (via previous dealings), co-owns sports management and agency operations that intersect with Player Development teams and athletes represented by Creative Artists Agency. His portfolio includes fashion collaborations with Puma and Reebok, tech investments in startups linked to Silicon Valley investors, and real estate holdings in Manhattan, Westchester County, and elsewhere.
Personal life and relationships
Carter's long-term personal and professional partnership with Beyoncé Knowles includes marriage and collaborative projects under The Carters. Their family life involves children and connections to entertainers, athletes, and business figures across Hollywood, NASCAR sponsorship circles, and international cultural institutions. He has longstanding friendships and rivalries with peers such as Nas, Kanye West, Damon Dash, Kendrick Lamar, and members of the Roc-A-Fella Records collective, with public reconciliations and disputes covered by outlets like The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Billboard, and The Guardian.
Philanthropy and activism
Carter has engaged in philanthropic efforts with organizations and initiatives including the Shawn Carter Foundation, criminal justice reform groups that have worked alongside The Innocence Project, and partnerships with municipal and state officials in New York and national advocacy coalitions. His activism intersects with campaigns involving figures from Black Lives Matter, collaborations with nonprofit leaders, benefit concerts for disaster relief including efforts tied to Hurricane Katrina response, and public advocacy on issues raised during meetings with political figures and institutions in Washington, D.C..
Awards and honors
Carter's honors include multiple Grammy Award nominations and wins, placement on lists by Forbes and Billboard, inductive recognition within halls and lists curated by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and industry awards from entities such as BET Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and The Source. His cultural impact has been recognized by museums and academic programs at institutions including Harvard University, Columbia University, and exhibitions in museums like the Museum of Modern Art and Smithsonian Institution-affiliated centers.
Category:African-American rappers Category:American record producers