Jay-Z

Through his business ventures, Jay-Z became the first hip-hop billionaire in 2019, solidifying his influence and impact in the music and business industries.

Shawn Corey Carter, also known as Jay-Z, was born on December 4, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York City. He was raised in Marcy Houses, a public housing project in Brooklyn's Bedford–Stuyvesant neighborhood.

Shawn Carter, also known as Jay Z, was born on December 4, 1970. He rose from being an underground rapper in Bed-Stuy's Marcy Projects to becoming one of the most influential and successful rappers in the music industry.

On December 2, 1999, Jay-Z allegedly stabbed record executive Lance 'Un' Rivera at the Kit Kat Klub in Times Square, New York City, during a release party for Q-Tip's album Amplified.

The Blueprint received critical acclaim and commercial success, selling over 427,000 copies in its debut week and reaching 2× Platinum status in the U.S. It featured production from Kanye West and a collaboration with Eminem.

Jay-Z held a concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City, billed as a 'retirement party' which later became the focus of his film Fade to Black. The event featured performances by various artists and all proceeds went to charity.

Jay-Z headlined the Power 105.1 annual concert, Powerhouse, with the theme of 'I Declare War'. The concert featured appearances by various artists and marked the end of the infamous hip hop rivalry between Jay-Z and Nas.

Jay-Z made a comeback with his album 'Kingdom Come', featuring the single 'Show Me What You Got'. The album received significant attention and achieved high sales in its first week.

Inspired by the film of the same name, Jay-Z released the album 'American Gangster', depicting his life as a street-hustler. The album received critical acclaim and sold 1 million copies in the U.S.

Jay-Z resigned from his position as president of Def Jam, marking a significant transition in his career.

During Kanye West's concert on August 6, 2008, at Madison Square Garden, Jay-Z joined him to perform a new song, which was announced to be on The Blueprint 3.

On May 21, 2009, Jay-Z announced his departure from Def Jam and signed a multi-million-dollar deal with Live Nation. He also started his Roc Nation imprint and partnered with production team Stargate to start a record label called StarRoc.

Jay-Z's 11th studio album, The Blueprint 3, was released in North America on September 8, 2009, surpassing Elvis Presley's previous record and becoming his 11th album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

On October 9, 2009, Jay-Z kicked off his tour for The Blueprint 3, supporting his new album in North America, receiving positive reviews for his smooth performance.

At his concert on November 8, 2009, at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion, Rihanna joined Jay-Z on stage and performed 'Hard' for the first time, followed by a performance of 'Run This Town'.

Jay-Z's North American tour for The Blueprint 3 continued until November 22, 2009, showcasing his success as a hip-hop superstar.

Jay-Z released the track "Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)" featuring Rihanna, U2's Bono and The Edge, and performed it at the Hope For Haiti Now telethon.

On November 16, 2010, Jay-Z published a memoir entitled Decoded, co-signed by Dream Hampton.

On April 5, 2011, Jay-Z launched the popular culture and lifestyle online magazine Life + Times, featuring content that showcases his high-end tastes in clothing, appliances, and cars, with a design aimed at the upwardly mobile young male demographic.

Jay-Z and Rihanna headlined the BBC Radio 1's 2012 Hackney Weekend music festival on June 23 to 24. They opened the set with a performance of 'Run this Town'.

Jay-Z took the subway to his sold-out show at The Barclays Center on October 6, 2012.

Coldplay announced that they would be playing with Jay-Z at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on December 31, 2012.

On April 2, 2013, ESPN reported Jay-Z's plans to launch his own sports agency, Roc Nation Sports, with a focus on the representation of various professional athletes.

On April 18, 2013, Jay-Z officially announced through his Life + Times website that he would be relinquishing his ownership in the Brooklyn Nets.

During the fifth game of the 2013 NBA Finals, Jay-Z announced his twelfth studio album, Magna Carta Holy Grail, which was released on July 4, 2013. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.

Shawn Carter, also known as Jay Z, celebrated his 45th birthday on December 4, 2014. Born and raised in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, Jay Z has become a prominent figure in the music industry and beyond.

On June 30, 2017, Jay-Z's album 4:44 was released exclusively to Sprint and Tidal customers, with a physical edition released on July 7. The album received widespread acclaim from critics for its emotional and personal content, and it debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200.

On July 5, 2017, Jay-Z's album 4:44 was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for one million copies purchased by Sprint and offered to consumers as free downloads. The album debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200.

On June 16, 2018, Jay-Z and Beyoncé unveiled their joint studio album 'Everything Is Love' during their final London performance. The album was credited under the name The Carters and included the lead single 'Apeshit'.

On December 5, 2022, Jay-Z and the Roc Nation announced their partnership with Caesars Entertainment to build and operate a casino property at Times Square.

Brooklyn celebrates Jay-Z as a Black History Maker, acknowledging his significant contributions.