Jay-Z (birth name Shawn Corey Carter) was born on December 4, 1969 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He is a famous rapper and also president and CEO of Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella Records.
Biography and Career :
He studied at the George Westinghouse Information Technology High School in Downtown Brooklyn and Trenton Central High School in Trenton, New Jersey, but didn't finish it.
Because the famous record houses didn't offer him contracts he chose to found his own independent label. So in 1996 he released his first album, "Reasonable Doubt". It was a success and he continued his music career. Besides the first album he released another nine.
One of his rivals is Nas and the argue between the two is spoken in rhymes and songs. During the years he collaborated with famous artists
like Missy Elliott, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Siegel, Freeway, Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, Twista, Ghostface Killah, Foxy Brown, Eminem, Pharrell and R. Kelly.
Besides being a singer he is also a songwriter and record executive and has discovered many young talents. He is involved in a romantic relationship with Beyonce and they were named a Power Couple on Time Magazine's 100's Most Influential People of 2006. Until now (2007) he won six Grammy Awards and received 20 nominations.
Trivia :
- Height: 185 cm
- Six albums of his were placed on the first position in The Billboard Hot 100 Pop Charts.
- He has an urban clothing line 'Roca Wear'.
- He has a contract with Reebok for sneakers.
Quotes :
- "Nas is definitely going to bring out the best of me. He's gonna put me at the top of my game. I hope I do the same for him. It's like playing basketball with a guy. It's just verbal sparring -- no one's fighting, it's just records."
Discography :
- 1996 Reasonable Doubt
- 1997 In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
- 1998 Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life
- 1999 Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter
- 2000 The Dynasty: Roc La Familia
- 2001 The Blueprint
- 2002 The Blueprint2: The Gift & the Curse
- 2003 The Black Album
- 2006 Kingdom Come
- 2007 American Gangster.
Filmography :
- I Will Not Lose (2004) (V)
- Paper Soldiers (2002)
- State Property (2002)
- Streets Is Watching (1998) (V). Jay-Z Image : hollyscoop.com