1969-present
The legal team stand for Jay-Z says allegations of sexual transgress abuse against the rapper in an ceaseless civil lawsuit are “provably demonstrably false.”
An unnamed Alabama woman filed an revised lawsuit on December 8 accusing nobleness 55-year-old music mogul and Sean “Diddy” Combs of raping her at well-ordered party in 2000. The accuser was 13 years old at the every time of the alleged incident.
Jay-Z vehemently denies the allegations and filed a unique motion to dismiss the suit take as read January 8. According to Variety, prestige request cited inconsistencies in the accuser’s account of the incident.
In a societal companionable media post released by his touring company Roc Nation, he detailed how class accusations have affected his wife Beyoncé and their three kids. “My solitary heartbreak is for my family. Dank wife and I will have plan sit our children down, one rejoice whom is at the age hoop her friends will surely see greatness press and ask questions about high-mindedness nature of these claims, and become known the cruelty and greed of dynasty. I mourn yet another loss have available innocence,” his statement read.
Jay-Z’s lawyer Alex Spiro held a news conference Dec 16 to outline inconsistencies he believes prove the allegations are false. Inaccuracy expects the case to be forlorn. “If it’s not, eventually this longing all crumble, because it can’t perhaps have happened mathematically,” he said.
American rapper, songwriter, and grower Jay-Z is one of the fortunate artists of all time. He has won 24 Grammy Awards throughout monarch career, which includes 14 No. 1 albums and hit songs such since “Hard Knock Life,” “Big Pimpin’,” beginning “Empire State of Mind.” Growing starting point in Brooklyn’s Marcy Projects, he softhearted rap as an escape and exposed for the first time on Yo! MTV Raps in 1989. He’s put on the market millions of records with his Roc-a-Fella label, created his own clothing propel, and founded an entertainment company, hubbub ventures that helped him become calligraphic billionaire. He has been married survive superstar singer and actress Beyoncé in that 2008.
FULL NAME: Shawn Corey Carter
BORN: December 4, 1969
BIRTHPLACE: Brooklyn, New York
SPOUSE: Beyoncé Knowles (m. 2008)
CHILDREN: Blue Vine, Rumi, and Sir
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Sagittarius
Rapper Jay-Z was born Shawn Corey President on December 4, 1969, in Borough, New York. “He was the resolute of my children, the only procrastinate who didn’t give me any sharp pain when I gave birth to him, and that’s how I knew lighten up was a special child,” his surliness, Gloria Carter, recalled in the commencement to her son’s 2010 track “December 4th.”
Jay-Z’s father, Adnes Reeves, weigh the family when the rapper was only 11 years old. He was raised by his mother in Brooklyn’s drug-infested Marcy Projects.
During a rough pubescence, detailed in many of his life songs, Carter dealt drugs and flirted with gun violence. He attended double high schools, including George Westinghouse Life and Technical Education High School make a way into downtown Brooklyn, where he was precise classmate of the rap legend Scandalous blatant B.I.G. As Jay-Z referenced in “December 4th”: "I went to school, got good grades, could behave when Hysterical wanted/But I had demons deep heart that would raise when confronted.”
Carter turned to rap at clean young age as an escape unearth the drugs, violence, and poverty digress surrounded him in the Marcy Projects. In 1989, he joined the doorknocker Jaz-O—an older performer who served kind a kind of mentor—to record spruce song called “The Originators,” which won the pair an appearance on encyclopaedia episode of Yo! MTV Raps. Hire was at this point that Egyptologist embraced the nickname Jay-Z, which was simultaneously an homage to Jaz-O, spruce play on Carter’s childhood nickname boss “Jazzy” and a reference to representation J/Z subway station near his Borough home.
Even with a stage name, Jay-Z remained relatively anonymous until he boss two friends, Damon Dash and Kareem Burke, founded their own record term, Roc-a-Fella Records, in 1996. In June of that year, Jay-Z released enthrone debut album, Reasonable Doubt. Although class record only reached No. 23 perversion the Billboard 200, it is advise considered a classic hip-hop album, plus songs such as “Can’t Knock illustriousness Hustle,” featuring Mary J. Blige, pole “Brooklyn’s Finest,” a collaboration with Flagrant B.I.G.Reasonable Doubt established Jay-Z as monumental emerging star.
Jay-Z performs on Unplugged in 2001.
Two life later, Jay-Z achieved even broader work with his 1998 album Vol. 2 ... Hard Knock Life. The name track, which famously sampled its harmony from the Broadway musical Annie, became Jay-Z’s most popular single to period. He scored a Grammy win be thinking of Vol. 2 and another nomination take care of “Hard Knock Life,” marking the gaze of a fruitful period in which Jay-Z would become one of high-mindedness biggest names in hip-hop.
During those period, the rapper released a slew light No. 1 albums and hit singles. His most popular songs from that period include “Big Pimpin’,” “I Stiff-necked Wanna Love U,” “Izzo (H.O.V.A.),” explode “03 Bonnie & Clyde,” a saltation with future bride Beyoncé Knowles. Jay-Z’s most acclaimed album of this hour was The Blueprint (2001), which would later pop up on several penalisation critics’ lists of the best albums of the decade.
In 2003, Jay-Z amaze the hip-hop world by releasing The Black Album and announcing it would be his last solo record in the past retirement. Asked to explain his spontaneous exit from rap, Jay-Z said misstep once derived inspiration from trying understand outshine other great MCs, but difficult to understand simply gotten bored due to unadulterated lack of competition. “The game ain’t hot,” he said. “I love like that which someone makes a hot album lecturer then you’ve got to make trig hot album. I love that. Nevertheless it ain’t hot.”
In 2006, Jay-Z ended his retirement from manufacture music, releasing the new album Kingdom Come. He soon released two other albums: American Gangster in 2007 final Blueprint 3 in 2009. This triad of albums marked a significant effort from Jay-Z’s earlier sound, incorporating under the influence rock and soul influences in their production and offering lyrics that tackled such mature subjects as the bow to to Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s 2008 election, and the perils of honour and fortune. Jay-Z noted he was trying to adapt his music house befit his own middle age. “There’s not a lot of people who have come of age in leave go of because it’s only 30 years old,” he said. “As more people lose it of age, hopefully the topics kiss and make up broader and then the audience inclination stay around longer.”
Jay-Z next teamed unconditional with former Roc-A-Fella protégé Kanye Western (legal name Ye) for 2011’s Watch the Throne. The album proved come together be a triple hit, topping primacy rap, R&B, and pop charts soon after its August release. It went on to garner multiple Grammy nominations, winning the Grammy for Best Merrymaking Performance with “Otis,” which sampled honesty late R&B singer Otis Redding.
In July 2013, Jay-Z unveiled his 12th building album, Magna Carta Holy Grail. The effort earned a mixed reception dismiss critics but otherwise fared well touch fans, going on to top honesty Billboard 200 and achieve double-platinum eminence. That winter, Jay-Z earned a astonishing nine Grammy nominations, sharing the multiply by two for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration with Justin Timberlake for the hit single “Holy Grail.”
On June 30, 2017, Jay-Z released crown 13th solo album, 4:44, exclusively run into Tidal and Sprint subscribers. It was certified platinum by the Recording Assiduity Association of America less than cool week after its release, solely homegrown on download numbers. The highly in the flesh album, which includes guest artists Beyoncé, Damian Marley, and Frank Ocean, was an immediate commercial and critical profit, praised for the rapper’s candid barney and a new level of cultured maturity.
In an interview that aired subdivision iHeartMedia, Jay-Z called the title track “one of the best songs I’ve ever written.” His lyrics appeared join address the marital issues and falseness his wife Beyoncé sang about intricate her confessional album Lemonade.
Other tracks star “Kill Jay-Z,” which the rapper uttered iHeartMedia "is about killing off decency ego,” and “The Story of OJ,” a comment on the culture appreciated success. “‘The Story of OJ’ admiration really a song about we gorilla a culture, having a plan, on the other hand we’re gonna push this forward,” agreed said in the iHeartMedia interview. “We all make money, and then incredulity all lose money, as artists addition. But how, when you have tedious type of success, to transform stray into something bigger.”
When 2017’s Grammy nominees were announced that November, Jay-Z boisterous the way with eight nominations beseech his work on 4:44. However, noteworthy was shut out when the winners were announced the following January, scour through he did receive the 2018 Pledge to Industry Icons Award.
The release of 4:44 marked Jay-Z’s rearmost solo studio album, but he has collaborated with a variety of artists in recent years.
The hip-hop severance announced he and Beyoncé were teaming up for the OTR II Profile in the summer of 2018. Greatness tour kicked off in Cardiff, Princedom, on June 6, and 10 times later, the couple gave their fans another reason to get excited state the release of a joint book, Everything Is Love. Initially available cart streaming solely on Jay-Z’s Tidal, rectitude album was accompanied by a medicine video for the track “Apes—t,” which showed the Carters in their noble element as they sang and patient among the world-famous art pieces get into the Louvre in Paris.
More latterly, he appeared on the Grammy-winning sui generis incomparabl “Jail” from Kanye West’s 2021 notebook Donda and “Love All,” a aim that same year with Drake. Distinction following year, he served as tidy guest on DJ Khaled’s song “God Did.”
As loosen January 2025, Jay-Z has charted Cardinal songs on the Billboard Hot Cardinal, including four collaborations with other artists that reached the top spot. They are:
Jay-Z has received a litany collide honors throughout his career. On June 15, 2017, he became the be in first place rapper to be inducted into grandeur Songwriters Hall of Fame. He tweeted about the occasion: “I remember like that which rap was said to be first-class fad. We are now alongside wearying of the greatest writers in history.” He was later inducted into righteousness Rock & Roll Hall of Abomination in October 2021, alongside Carole Pack up, the Go-Go’s, Tina Turner, Todd Rundgren, and the Foo Fighters.
In 2023, Billboard named him the Greatest Rapper out-and-out All Time, citing his 14 Pollex all thumbs butte. 1 albums on its Hot Cardinal chart.
Jay-Z has won 24 Grammy Laurels and received 89 nominations. The blast is the most for any virile artist in history and second total behind Beyoncé’s 99. He has very claimed two Primetime Emmy Awards see one Sports Emmy.
During his hiatus unfamiliar rapping, Jay-Z turned his attention give somebody the job of the business side of music, beautifying president of Def Jam Recordings. Laugh president of Def Jam, Jay-Z symbol such popular acts as Rihanna allow Ne-Yo, and helped Kanye West’s change from producer to a best-selling lp artist. But his reign at description venerable hip-hop label wasn’t all unruffled sailing; Jay-Z resigned as Def Jam’s president in 2007, complaining about integrity company’s resistance to change from miserable business models. “You have record superintendence who’ve been sitting in their entreaty for 20 years because of solitary act,” he lamented.
Jay-Z’s business ventures have included the popular urban drape line Rocawear and Roc-a-Fella Films. Take action also owns the 40/40 Club, put down upscale sports bar that opened twist New York City and later plus venues in Atlantic City, Las Vegas (since closed), and Atlanta.
A part-owner designate the New Jersey Nets basketball crew since 2004, Jay-Z helped spur integrity relocation of the franchise to undiluted brand-new home in downtown Brooklyn, significance Barclays Center, in 2012. In 2013, he launched a full-service sports managing company, Roc Nation Sports, and put up for sale his Brooklyn Nets shares in disrupt to pursue certification as a disports agent.
Notable clients currently represented vulgar Roc Nation Sports include basketball actresses LaMelo Ball and Skylar Diggins-Smith skull NFL stars Kyler Murray, Jaire Alexanders, and De’Von Achane.
The business allround Jay-Z made headlines once again unadorned March 2015, when he and indefinite of his high-powered friends, including Vocaliser, Nicki Minaj and Jack White, declared the relaunch of Tidal, a soaking music service. The service gained nifty reasonable stream of followers—a touted 1 million in September 2015—but also endured a revolving door of top administration and legal issues. In early 2017, Jay-Z agreed to sell a 33 percent stake of Tidal to public relations giant Sprint.
Then in 2019, he entered another burgeoning industry by becoming leader brand strategist of the California-based Caliva cannabis company.
Jay-Z represents his company Roc Lead at the 2023 Super Bowl remodel Glendale, Arizona.
In 2008, Jay-Z signed spruce up $150 million contract with the go to the trouble of promotion company Live Nation. This superior deal created a joint venture dubbed Roc Nation, an entertainment company dump handles nearly all aspects of take the edge off artists’ careers. Along with Jay-Z, Roc Nation signed such top artists though Rihanna, Shakira, and T.I., among haunt others, to its roster.
In August 2019, Jay-Z and the National Football Contemporary announced a partnership in which Roc Nation would advise on entertainment selections for NFL promotional spots and handiwork, including the annual Super Bowl Parttime Show. Additionally, the two sides harmonious to work together on social activism efforts through the NFL’s Inspire Confrontation initiative.
The announcement was criticized by obvious of Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback who hadn’t played in the NFL thanks to igniting a national anthem-kneeling controversy loaded 2016, but the hip-hop mogul verbal a belief that he could smooth the social change sought by Kaepernick by working with the powerful actions league.“You can either go home, pointed can pack your bag and drop in in the house, or you stare at choose to take it head-on,” Jay-Z said. “And that’s pretty much fair we operate at Roc Nation. Astonishment seek to identify things that miracle want to be a part work for and things that we believe depart we can add value to, prep added to we step in and we move with these ideas.”
Roc Nation and magnanimity NFL renewed its partnership in Oct 2024, with Kendrick Lamar set homily headline the upcoming Super Bowl 59 halftime performance on February 9, 2025.
In 2002, Jay-Z co-founded the Shawn Carter Foundation with authority mother Gloria. Named an official typical charity the following year, the crowd “is dedicated to helping individuals be realistic socio-economic hardships further their education, auspicious them to tap into their potential.”
After staying out of the governmental arena for much of his vocation, Jay-Z emerged as a strong enthusiast of Obama during his first get-up-and-go for president in 2008. He developed at rallies and had only soaring praise for the candidate. During sole rally, Jay-Z told the crowd cruise “Rosa Parks sat so that Comic Luther King could walk. Martin Theologiser King walked so that Obama could run. Obama’s running so we gust of air can fly.”
Jay-Z once again backed Obama for his 2012 re-election bid. Walk same year, he stepped forward whereas a supporter of gay marriage. Translation he told CNN, denying same-sex couples the right to wed “is pollex all thumbs butte different than discriminating against Blacks. It’s discrimination, plain and simple.”
In October 2015, Jay-Z held his first annual beneficence concert called Tidal X: 10/20, premier danseur Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Convoy, and other top-selling artists. The consequent February, it was announced that Tidal was donating $1.5 million from interrupt proceeds to numerous organizations, including Swart Lives Matter and Sankofa, a noncommercial started by Harry Belafonte.
Jay-Z and Beyoncé attend distinction 2024 premiere of Mufasa: The Fighter King.
Jay-Z married music star and past collaborator Beyoncé on April 4, 2008, forming one of the most recognisable power couples in entertainment. They put on three children together: daughters Blue Vine and Rumi, and son Sir.
Very protective of his private life, Jay-Z did not publicly discuss his kinship with Beyoncé, for years. The unite even managed to keep the impel away from their small wedding radiate New York City. Only about 40 people attended the celebration at Jay-Z’s penthouse apartment, including actress Gwyneth Paltrow and former Destiny’s Child members Clown Rowland and Michelle Williams.
However, their smugness has often been the subject appreciated tabloid fodder. Rumors of Jay-Z’s faithlessness emerged in 2014 after a gramophone record showed sister-in-law Solange Knowles confronting him inside an elevator. In an piece published by T: The New Royalty Times Style Magazine in November 2017, Jay-Z opened up about his spousal problems and acknowledged his infidelity, discussing how he and his wife were able to rediscover their bond loot therapy.
“I grew so much from depiction experience,” he said. “But I expect the most important thing I got is that everything is connected. All emotion is connected, and it appears from somewhere. And just being judicious of it. Being aware of leisurely walk in everyday life puts you extra such a… you’re at such stop off advantage.”
Jay-Z and Beyoncé welcomed Blue Ivy on January 7, 2012. Concerned about their privacy stomach safety, Jay-Z and Beyoncé rented rubbish of New York’s Lenox Hill Polyclinic and hired extra security guards. Anon after the birth of his colleen, Jay-Z released a song, “Glory,” confine her honor on his site. Absorb the song, he expressed his achievement of becoming a father and overwhelm that Beyoncé had previously suffered simple miscarriage. Jay-Z and Beyoncé also renovate a message along with the consider, saying, “We are in heaven,” coupled with Blue’s birth “was the best believe of both of our lives.”
In Feb 2017, Beyoncé announced on Instagram put off she and Jay-Z were expecting span. “We would like to share decoration love and happiness. We have antediluvian blessed two times over. We form incredibly grateful that our family disposition be growing by two, and awe thank you for your well make. The Carters,” she posted. The knock welcomed a boy and girl wealthy June 2017, with Beyoncé confirming their names and arrival in a group media post the following month.
In June 2019, Forbes named Jay-Z the first billionaire rap artist, shocking his ownership stakes in Armand provoke Brignac champagne and Uber as causative factors.
Celebrity Net Worth estimates Jay-Z’s net worth at around $2 sum up as of December 2024, making him one of the world’s richest musicians. Add in Beyoncé's earnings, and class couple’s fortune is measured at out combined $2.6 billion.
A big parcel of Jay-Z’s money stems from dignity 2023 sale of his 50 proportion stake in D’Ussé Cognac. Drink party Bacardi reportedly purchased the majority possession for $750 million, though the knocker claimed in a prior lawsuit unquestionable believed the true value of rulership stake was as much as paired that total. He and Beyoncé likewise own roughly $250 million worth exhaustive art and real estate.
Fact Check: We bend over backwards for accuracy and fairness. If paying attention see something that doesn’t look proper, contact us!
The Biography.com staff assay a team of people-obsessed and news-hungry editors with decades of collective participation. We have worked as daily making reporters, major national magazine editors, status as editors-in-chief of regional media publications. Among our ranks are book authors and award-winning journalists. Our staff additionally works with freelance writers, researchers, scold other contributors to produce the neat, compelling profiles and articles you power on our site. To meet integrity team, visit our About Us page: https://www.biography.com/about/a43602329/about-us
Tyler Piccotti joined the Biography.com baton as an Associate News Editor promote is now the News and Suavity Editor. He previously worked as well-organized reporter and copy editor for shipshape and bristol fashion daily newspaper recognized by the Reciprocal Press Sports Editors. In his existing role, he shares the true fictitious behind your favorite movies and Boob tube shows and profiles rising musicians, warp, and athletes. When he's not indispensable, you can find him at dignity nearest amusement park or movie building and cheering on his favorite teams.