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Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), popularly known as Jay-Z or by a variety of nicknames (S. Carter (read: S-dot Carter), Jigga, Jay-Hova, Hova, Hov, Young Hov, and Iceberg Slim') is an American hip-hop artist and current president and CEO of Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella Records. He has been one of the most prolific and successful American rappers of the late 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, maintaining both commercial appeal and street credibility.
Known for his skillful use of metaphors, freestyling abilities, word play, flow, and blending of street and popular hip hop, Jay-Z became one of the most respected rappers in the music industry before his alleged retirement in 2004. He is widely admired for his ability to craft songs from memory, without the use of pen and paper; he claims his critically acclaimed album The Blueprint was written in only two days.Recounted by Jay-Z on the documentary Collision Course DVD. Collision Course. Jay-Z and Linkin Park. Roc-A-Fella/Warner Bros./Machine Shop Recordings. 2004.
He is one of the founders of Roc-A-Fella Records, a hip-hop record label which also launched the careers of artists such as Beanie Sigel, Kanye West, Memphis Bleek, Young Gunz, Freeway, and Teairra Mari. As of 2005, he is estimated to be worth around $320 million Jay-Z was estimated to be "worth $320 million and counting" by Toure in Rolling Stone in the profile article The Book of Jay, Issue 989, 15 December 2005.
Hip-Hop musician
Early history
Originally from the infamous Marcy Houses projects in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood in Brooklyn in New York, Shawn Carter was abandoned by his father Adnes Reeves when he was twelve years old and he was consequently raised by his mother Gloria Carter. Jay-Z attended George Westinghouse High School in Downtown Brooklyn and Trenton Central High School in Trenton, New Jersey but did not graduate. He claims to have been caught up in selling drugs on the streets of New York in the Marcy Projects. In addition to this, Jay has lyrically alluded to having sold crack cocaine and marijuana in Virginia and Maryland.According to his mother, a young Jay used to keep his siblings up at night banging out drum patterns on the kitchen table. Eventually, she bought him a boombox for his birthday and thus sparked his interest in music. He began freestyling, writing rhymes, and followed the music of many artists popular at the time.
In his neighborhood, Carter was known as "Jazzy," a nickname which eventually developed into his stage name, "Jay-Z." The moniker is also a homage to his musical partner Jaz-O (a.k.a. the Jaz, Big Jaz) as well as to the J-Z subway lines that have a stop at Marcy Avenue in Brooklyn.
Jay-Z can be heard on several of The Jaz's early recordings, including "The Originators" and "Hawaiian Sophie", he also collaborated with Inglewood, California producer Three-1-Zero which began his popularity as an artist. His career had a jump start when he battled a rapper by the name of Zai. The battle caught the eye of many record labels, as Jay-Z was able to hold his own against Zai. He also made an appearance on a popular song by Big L, "Da Graveyard."
Commercial work
From the beginning of his commercial recording career, Jay-Z chose a route that many would consider untraditional. Rather than waiting to get signed to a major label, Jay-Z created Roc-A-Fella Records as his own independent label. After striking a deal with Priority to distribute his material, Jay-Z released his 1996 debut album Reasonable Doubt with beats from acclaimed producers such as DJ Premier and Clark Kent and a notable appearance by The Notorious B.I.G.. Although the album received critical acclaim, record sales didn't meet the expectations.After reaching a new distribution deal with Def Jam in 1997, Jay-Z released his follow-up In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. Executive produced by Diddy, it sold better than his previous effort even though Jay later explained that this was one of the worst periods of his life. He was reeling from the death of his close friend Biggie and their relationship led to a beef between Jay and Tupac Shakur, causing many West Coast fans and fans of the late rapper to view him with disdain.Tupac's Enemies, TupacNet.org Due to the glossy production on his sophomore album, many of the fans he'd earned previously now claimed he was selling out and catering to a more commercial audience. However, the album did feature some beats from producers who had worked with him on Reasonable Doubt, namely DJ Premier and Ski.
1998's Hard Knock Life spawned the biggest hit of his career at the time, "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)." This album saw Jay trying to balance commercialism with his lyrics and subject matter, though critics would still accuse him of becoming even more commercial and egotistical. He also relied more heavily on flow, developing it further, and he continued his penchant for mining beats from the popular producers of the day such as Swizz Beatz and Timbaland. Charting hits from this album included "Can I Get A..." featuring Ja Rule and "Jigga What, Jigga Who." Vol. 2 would eventually become Jay-Z's most commercially successful album, certifying platinum five times in the United States.
In 1999 Jay-Z released Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter. Despite continued criticism for his increasingly pop-oriented sound and a large number of collaborations that many felt crowded out Jay-Z himself, the album proved to be successful and went platinum three times. Through his lyricism, he was able to retain respect from the many die-hard fans. Vol. 3 is remembered for its smash hit, "Big Pimpin" (feat UGK) and the negative remarks to then-underground New York rapper known as 50 Cent.
By this time, Jay was seen as a hip-hop figurehead both by hardcore fans and by the corporations of rap due to his lyrics and his high album sales, achieving a pinnacle rarely held in rap music. The subject of much criticism, praise, popularity, condemnation, and discussion, Jay decided to begin developing other artists besides himself. Around 2000, he and Damon Dash signed various artists (including Beanie Sigel and Freeway) and began introducing them to the public. He next appeared on Roc La Familia, which was intended as a compilation album to introduce these new artists, though Jay was present on most of the tracks and many fans viewed it as another Jay-Z release.
2001's The Blueprint is considered by many to be one of hip hop's "classic" albums, receiving the coveted "5 mic" review from The Source magazine. Released on September 11, 2001, the album managed to debut at #1, selling more than 450,000 albums in its first week.
The Blueprint was applauded for its production and the balance of "mainstream" and "hardcore" rap, receiving recognition from both audiences. Eminem was the only guest artist on the album, producing and rapping on the single "Renegade" (to which rival Nas would rap, "Eminem murdered you on your own shit" on "Ether.") The Blueprint also includes the popular "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" and "Takeover," a song which takes rivals Prodigy of Mobb Deep and Nas. A large portion of the material on this album was produced by Kanye West and represents one of his (Kanye's) first major breaks in the industry.
A feud between Jay-Z and Nas culminated in "Takeover," a diss from Jay to Nas, in the fall of 2001. Nas responded with the diss track "Ether". Over the course of the feud, Jay-Z claims that he and Allen Iverson slept with Carmen Bryan, the mother of Nas' daughter, Destiny. Nas, in turn, accused Jay of brown nosing other artists for fame, and then leaving them for dead once he was famous. This feud proved to be a huge draw in the world of hip-hop. The feud died down over 2002 and was finally resolved in October 2005.
Jay-Z's next solo album was 2002's The Gift & the Curse a sprawling double-album which was touted by fans as having too much 'filler' or unnecessary material. It was later reissued in a single-disc version, The Blueprint 2.1, which retained half of the tracks from the double-album. The album spawned two hit singles "Excuse Me Miss" and "03 Bonnie and Clyde" featuring Beyoncé Knowles.
Recent years
In 2003, Jay-Z toured with 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes and Sean Paul while finishing work on what was announced as his final album, The Black Album. Notable songs on the album included "What More Can I Say," "Dirt Off Your Shoulder," "Change Clothes," and "99 Problems." That song was a cross-over hit comparable to The Beastie Boys' "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" which some believe pays homage to the now-rare old-school rap style. A few of the songs done on this album portray a more personal side of Jay-Z; for example, "Moment of Clarity" sheds light on his feelings towards his estranged father and coping with his death.In 2004, there was a runaway hit remix project by Danger Mouse called The Grey Album in which Jay-Z's Black Album vocals were blended with instrumentals heavily sampled from The Beatles' White Album (which subsequently embroiled the DJ in a lawsuit that was later dropped with EMI, the owner's to the Beatle's work). This was made possible by an a cappella version of the "Black Album" that Jay-Z released with the specific intent for others to mix. The success of "The Grey Album" led to a rainbow of Black Album remix projects including "The Red Album," "The Blue Album" and so forth. Near the end of this trend, Canadian rapper DJ Cyber-Rap created "The Jay-Z Album EP", an homage to Jay-Z's catalogue.
Technique
In his earliest appearances, Jay's style was less polished; he had a propensity for rhyming fast, which gradually lessened over the years. By 1996, he had become more known for his witty metaphors and similes, as well as being one of the first to stress the life of a drug dealer (glories, repercussions, regrets and all). Later, flow would become a big part of his style.He has often pointed to his ability to switch from emotionally provocative material like "Song Cry" to more commercial topics, such as "Big Pimpin," as a sign that he straddles a line between material and thought-provoking rhymes that few artists since Tupac have bridged successfully.
Recently, producers and artists alike have been praising Jay's ability to create verse after verse completely in his head without the aid of a pen and paper. His ability to memorize and recite verbatim line after line of lyrics is both envied and praised.
Although he penned his recordings as Jay-Z, it was not uncommon for Jay to take upon other aliases or character names in his tracks. Using such monikers as "Jigga" or "H.O.V.A." and their variants reflect Jay-Z's attempts to keep his material ever-evolving.
Retirement
On November 25 2003, Jay-Z held a concert at Madison Square Garden, which would later be the focus of his film Fade to Black. This concert was his "retirement party." All proceeds went to charity. Other performers included collaborators like The Roots (in the form of his backing band), Missy Elliott, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Siegel, Freeway, Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, Twista, Ghostface Killah, Foxy Brown, Pharrell and R. Kelly with special appearances by Voletta Wallace and Afeni Shakur; the mothers of Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur respectively.While Jay-Z had attested to a retirement from making new studio albums, various side projects and appearances soon followed. Included in these were a greatest hits record, mash-up projects and concert appearances with R. Kelly, Linkin Park and Phish. These appearances have kept Jay's name in the spotlight and furthered peoples' speculation that he would not remain retired for long.
Jay-Z was the executive producer of The Rising Tied by Fort Minor which was released in November 2005. He states that Mike Shinoda, the lead singer of this Linkin Park side-project, is one of his closest friends.
Currently Jay-Z is working on his new label Roc-A-Fella West (the west coast branch of Roc-A-Fella records) and his new artist Immense Jay-Z new label Roc-A-Fella West and new artist Immense, 13 January 2006.
There is still heavy speculation that he may come out of his "retirement" to record & release a new album in 2006, ten years after his first album was released. To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the release of Reasonable Doubt, Jay-Z performed a show at Radio City Music Hall on June 25th, 2006 and a rehearsal show at New York's Nokia Theatre one day prior. These shows will be followed by five dates in the United Kingdom and Ireland in September.Jay-Z Announces Brief Tour, 22 June 2006 There is also speculation that a full world tour will follow.Jay-Z Embarks on Worldwide Tour, 22 June 2006
"I Declare War" concert
Having been such a visible artist in the late '90s through the early 2000s, Jay has been the subject of more rap-related controversy than most artists in mainstream hip-hop. Some of these have been resolved, some are ongoing, and some have simply dissipated.
On October 27, 2005, Jay-Z headlined New York's Power 105.1 annual concert, Powerhouse. The concert was entitled the "I Declare War" Concert leading to intense speculation in the weeks preceding the event to whom exactly Jay-Z would declare war on. As he had previously "declared war" on other artists taking lyrical shots at him at other events, many believed that the Powerhouse show would represent an all-out assault by Jay upon his rivals. However, an anticipated response to subliminal shots taken by The Game and Cam'ron never materialized.
The theme of the concert was Jay-Z's position as President and CEO of Def Jam, complete with an on-stage mock-up of the Oval Office. Many artists made appearances such as the old roster of Rocafella records artists, Ne-Yo, Teairra Mari, T.I., Young Jeezy, Akon, Kanye West, Paul Wall, the LOX, and P. Diddy.
At the conclusion of the concert, Jay-Z put many beefs to rest to the surprise and delight of hip-hop fans. Instead of declaring war, he declared that he was the "United Nations of this rap shit." The most significant development in this show was closure to the infamous beef between Jay-Z and Nas. The two former rivals shook hands and shared the stage together to perform Jay-Z's "Dead Presidents" blended with Nas' song "The World is Yours," from which "Dead Presidents" had sampled the vocals on the chorus. (Nas' verses were rapped over the "Dead Presidents" beat in the vein of a mix song done by DJ Statik Selektah.) Nas later performed songs of his own.
Beefs between other artists were also brought to a close (or put on hold) at the Powerhouse show. The event brought together for the first time in years, P. Diddy and The LOX, both who had a longstanding animosity due to a contract agreement between P. Diddy and The Lox and the latter's departure from Bad Boy Entertainment. Shortly after the concert, the beef was fully rectified.
The event also saw the return of Beanie Sigel from incarceration. There had been some speculation that Beanie Sigel was going to depart from Rocafella Records, but this concert proved otherwise. Beanie and The LOX's Jadakiss also officially ended their own beef when they, Jay-Z, the rest of the LOX and Sauce Money (who had been thought to have some animosity towards Jay) all performed the song "Reservoir Dogs."
Hip-Hop entrepreneur
Apart from being President and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, Jay-Z is also one of the owners and founders of the Roc-A-Fella empire, which includes Roc-A-Fella Records, Roc-La-Familia, Roc-A-Fella Films and Rocawear.
At heart, Jay-Z is an entrepreneur like his fellow hip-hop-moguls-turned-friends Russell Simmons and Sean "Diddy" Combs, who also have business holdings such as record companies and clothing lines. He redirected the hip hop culture from hooded sweatshirts and baggy jeans to button-ups and crisp jeans, and received GQ's International Man of the Year award.
Roc-A-Fella Records
Jay-Z co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records with partners Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Def Jam purchased a 50% stake in the company in 1997 for a reported $1.5 million Roc-A-Fella Sold To Island Def Jam, AllHipHop.com, 8 December 2004.In late 2004, Jay-Z, Dame Dash and Biggs sold their remaining interests in Roc-A-Fella Records and the label was retained as an Island Def Jam imprint. Soon thereafter Jay-Z was appointed the new President and CEO of Def Jam Recordings by Island Def Jam chairman L.A. Reid. Reportedly this major industry move was prompted by disagreement between Jay-Z and Dash as to what new ventures Roc-A-Fella could undertake.
The publicized split between Jay, Dash and Biggs led to the former partners sending jabs at each other in interviews. Dame Dash has made comment that after the break up he was portrayed as "Osama Bin Laden" to ensure that rappers would stay with Jay and not sign with him.Damon Dash Speaks About Jay-Z, Vibe.com, 10 April 2006 Dash currently operates the recently-founded Dame Dash Music Group as a joint venture with Island Def Jam producing former Roc-A-Fella artists such as Beanie Sigel.
Rocawear and fashion
Co-founded in 1999 by Jay-Z, Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, Rocawear designed for and sought out a share of the lucrative urban fashion market already being capitalized on by labels like Phat Farm.In 2005, Jay-Z bought out Rocawear co-founder Dash for an estimated $30 million and has sought to expand the company's reach by developing the S. Carter high-end clothing line. Jay also has a line of Reebok sneakers aptly named The S.Carter Collection, which holds the record for fastest-selling Reebok shoe in history Reebok and Jay-Z Create an Unprecedented Demand with the "S. Carter Collection By RbK", 21 April 2003 and made him the first non-athlete to have a signature line of sneakers. In the spring of 2006, he in collaboration with Swiss luxury-watch maker Audemars Piguet Jay-Z & Audemars Piguet to announce the creation of the Royal Oak Offshore Jay-Z 10th anniversary limited edition timepiece.
Entertainment and lifestyle
Jay-Z co-owns The 40/40 Club, an upscale sports bar which started in New York City and has since expanded to Atlantic City, NJ. Future plans will see 40/40 Clubs in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Singapore. Roc-A-Fella also distributes Armadale, a Scottish vodka, in the U.S.Jay-Z is a part owner of the New Jersey Nets NBA team, and is one of the franchise owners interested in relocating the team to Brooklyn. In October 2005, he was reported in English media as considering a takeover of Arsenal F.C., an English football team Beyonce's Rapper Lover Is After A Piece Of Arse: Jay-Z's Footie Bid, The Sunday Mirror, 9 October 2005.
Personal life
Criminal charges
Jay-Z was accused of stabbing record executive Lance "Un" Riviera for what he perceived was Riveria's bootlegging of Vol 3...Life and Times of S. Carter. The stabbing occurred at the record release party for Q-Tip's debut solo album Amplified at the Kit Kat Klub, a now defunct night club in Times Square, New York City, on December 9 1999. Jay-Z's associates at the party were accused of causing a commotion within the club, which Jay-Z used as cover when he supposedly stabbed Riviera in the stomach with a five-inch blade.Handlin, Sam. Jay-Z pleads guilty to stabbing record executive. Courttv.com. October 18 2001. Retrieved June 18 2006.Jay-Z initially denied the incident and pled not guilty when a grand jury returned the indictment. Jay-Z and his lawyers contended he was nowhere around Riviera during the incident and they had witnesses and videotape evidence from the club that showed Jay-Z's whereabouts during the disturbance. Nevertheless, he later pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge which resulted in a sentence of three months probation. The New York Post reported that Jay-Z had bought out Riviera for $600,000 to cease his cooperation with prosecutors, and without the cooperation of the victim, prosecutors had to cut a plea deal that would not interfere with Jay-Z's touring plans. Riviera also dropped a civil suit, where he asked for $40 million.Ryan, Harriet. Rapper gets probation for assault charge. Courttv.com. December 6 2001. Retrieved June 18 2006.
Jay-Z makes reference to the trial and incident on his songs "H to the Izzo", off of The Blueprint, and "Dear Summer", which was included in Memphis Bleek's 2005 release 534.
Rival rapper Cam'ron has since claimed on his song "You Gotta Love It" that Jay-Z had actually "stabbed Un over Charli Baltimore".
Romantic life
Jay-Z has been collaborating with Beyoncé Knowles since 2002. That same year Beyoncé appeared on Jay-Z's hit single "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" and in 2003, Jay-Z was featured on Beyonce's hit single "Crazy In Love." The couple never publicly discuss their relationship and have been together for almost four years. Beyoncé has mentioned that not publicly discussing their relationship has helped them. Jay-Z has said in a People Magazine article that "We don't play with our relationship."Jay-Z did remark during a goodbye party for departing Def Jam head Lyor Cohen in 2004 that he and Beyoncé will "marry very soon."SFGate.com Daily Dish. January 30 2004. Retrieved June 18 2006 No plans have been confirmed by either party however.
Jay-Z and Beyoncé were listed as a Power Couple on Time Magazine's 100's Most Influential People of 2006.
Grammy Award history
- Career Nominations = 18
- Career Wins = 5
| Category | Genre | Song | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Rap/Sung Collaboration | Rap | "Numb/Encore" | 2006 | Won |
| Best Rap Song | Rap | "99 Problems" | 2005 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Album | Rap | The Black Album | 2005 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Solo Performance | Rap | "99 Problems" | 2005 | Won |
| Record of the Year | General | "Crazy In Love" | 2004 | Nominated |
| Best Rap/Sung Collaboration | Rap | "Crazy In Love" | 2004 | Won |
| Best R&B Song | R&B | "Crazy In Love" | 2004 | Won |
| Best Rap/Sung Collaboration | Rap | "Frontin" | 2004 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Song | Rap | "Excuse Me Miss" | 2004 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Album | Rap | Blueprint 2: The Gift & Curse | 2004 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Male Solo Performance | Rap | "Song Cry" | 2003 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Solo Performance | Rap | "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" | 2002 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group | Rap | "Change the Game" | 2002 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Album | Rap | Vol. 3...The Life & Times of S. Carter | 2001 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group | Rap | "Big Pimpin" | 2001 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Album | Rap | Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life | 1999 | Won |
| Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group | Rap | "Money Ain't a Thing" | 1999 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Solo Performance | Rap | "Hard Knock Life" | 1999 | Nominated |
Discography
Albums
| Album cover | Album information |
|---|
| Reasonable Doubt |
| In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 |
| Hard Knock Life |
| Life and Times of S. Carter |
| Roc La Familia |
| The Blueprint |
| Unplugged |
| The Best of Both Worlds (with R. Kelly) |
| The Gift & the Curse |
| The Black Album |
| Unfinished Business (with R. Kelly) |
| Collision Course (with Linkin Park) |
Singles
Album Appearances
- Deja Vu - Beyonce feat. Jay-Z Album: B'Day
- Hustlin' (Remix) - Rick Ross feat. Jay-Z and Young Jeezy Album: Port Of Miami
Underground releases and remixes
| Year | Title | Remixer/Producer |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | The Argyle Album | 100dBs |
| 2004 | The Black Remixes: Back to Basics | DJ Lt. Dan |
| 2004 | The Grey Album | DJ Danger Mouse |
| 2004 | The Brown Album | Kev Brown |
| 2004 | The White Album | Kno of Cunninlynguists |
| 2004 | The Silver Album RJD2 Mash-up | Bazooka Joe |
| 2004 | Black Is Back | 9th Wonder |
| 2004 | The Gold and Purple Album | Merlin (Soul Arc) |
| 2004 | The Black Album (Pete Rock Remix) | Quo |
| 2005 | Moment Of Clarity [Remix | Dave Jonsen |
| 2006 | The Commission (Notorious B.I.G. & Jay-Z) | DJ Cinema |
Filmography
- ''Streets Is Watching (1998)
- ''State Property (2002)
- ''Paper Soldiers (2002)
- ''Fade To Black (2004)
See also
- Best selling music artists
- List of number-one hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance chart
External links
- Def Jam Records
- S. Carter Academy
- The 40/40 Club
- Rocawear
- Roc With Me: V.I.P.
- Jay-Z Online
- Newsweek Entertainment profile
References
1969 births | African American musicians | American music industry executives | American rappers | American dance musicians | Dance/Club music artists | People from Brooklyn | Def Jam affiliated performers | Living people | Record producers | Rhythmic Top 40 acts | Grammy Award winners | People known by pseudonyms
جاي زي | Jay-Z | Jay-Z | Jay-Z | Jay-Z | Jay-Z | ჯეი-ზი | Jay-Z | Jay-Z | Jay-Z | Jay-Z | Jay-Z
"Jay-Z"