Jay-Z
- Music Artist
- Actor
- Producer
Born Shawn Corey Carter, JAY-Z is a globally celebrated music artist, rapper, philanthropist and entrepreneur. JAY-Z's meteoric rise to international fame followed the release of his debut album, "Reasonable Doubt," in 1996. Since then, he has built an iconic career in the music and entertainment industry, establishing businesses and receiving numerous accolades for his work.
JAY-Z is co-founder and Chairman of Roc Nation. Established in 2008 as a record label, Roc Nation has become the world's most prominent entertainment company, gaining esteem for creating and launching the careers and brand deals of its elite clients, including music sensations Rihanna, Lil Uzi Vert, Christina Aguilera, and Megan Thee Stallion. Throughout Roc Nation's evolution, JAY-Z has played a pivotal role in its ongoing success at the forefront of the entertainment industry, bringing in talent and maintaining partnerships with major organizations, including the National Football League (NFL). Before the creation of Roc Nation, JAY-Z founded his first record label, Roc-A-Fella, in 1994, under which he released his first two albums. JAY-Z's cross-industry business ventures also include establishing clothing companies Rocawear and Paper Planes in 1997 and 2014, respectively. Further expanding his business portfolio, he acquired luxury spirits brand Armand de Brignac in 2014. JAY-Z is a co-owner of the music streaming service, TIDAL, and is a majority owner of the upscale lounge and bar, The 40/40 Club. JAY-Z conceptualized and hosted the Made In America festival, a historic, two-day event that first took place in 2012. Uplifting local businesses while promoting music and community in Philadelphia, Made In America brought in over $10 million in economic impact, attracting more than 80,000 festival attendees in its first year.
Regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time, JAY-Z has been regularly recognized for his visionary music and artistic production. He was the first rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017, and first living solo hip-hop artist inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021. JAY-Z has won 25 GRAMMYs, 21 BET Hip-Hop Awards, six Billboard Music Awards and three American Music Awards. Additionally, he has won nine BET Awards and two Emmy awards for producing and directing Super Bowl Halftime shows. In 2023, the immersive "Book Of HOV: A Tribute to Jay-Z" exhibit was held in celebration of his life at the Brooklyn Public Library, winning a Webby award in 2024. JAY-Z co-produced the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical "Fela!" alongside Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. An influential figure in music and pop culture, JAY-Z was honored at the 2024 GRAMMYs as the second recipient of the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award for his achievements, impact on hip-hop music and support for Black artists. The following year, JAY-Z's album Reasonable Doubt was announced as one of the newest inductee recordings to the GRAMMY Hall of Fame.
JAY-Z's impact extends beyond the music and entertainment industry as he has maintained a passion for giving back to communities. He has both created and supported many philanthropic organizations - particularly those surrounding social justice. Within Roc Nation, JAY-Z is actively involved in the company's charitable efforts through its philanthropic entity, Team Roc. He is a founding partner of REFORM Alliance, which supports initiatives around transforming the justice system's probation and parole policies to create real pathways after imprisonment. He also maintains a seat on the Advisory Board for the United Justice Coalition. In 2002, JAY-Z and his mother, Dr. Gloria Carter, created the Shawn Carter Foundation to assist individuals facing socio-economic hardships in tapping into their potential through higher education.
JAY-Z is co-founder and Chairman of Roc Nation. Established in 2008 as a record label, Roc Nation has become the world's most prominent entertainment company, gaining esteem for creating and launching the careers and brand deals of its elite clients, including music sensations Rihanna, Lil Uzi Vert, Christina Aguilera, and Megan Thee Stallion. Throughout Roc Nation's evolution, JAY-Z has played a pivotal role in its ongoing success at the forefront of the entertainment industry, bringing in talent and maintaining partnerships with major organizations, including the National Football League (NFL). Before the creation of Roc Nation, JAY-Z founded his first record label, Roc-A-Fella, in 1994, under which he released his first two albums. JAY-Z's cross-industry business ventures also include establishing clothing companies Rocawear and Paper Planes in 1997 and 2014, respectively. Further expanding his business portfolio, he acquired luxury spirits brand Armand de Brignac in 2014. JAY-Z is a co-owner of the music streaming service, TIDAL, and is a majority owner of the upscale lounge and bar, The 40/40 Club. JAY-Z conceptualized and hosted the Made In America festival, a historic, two-day event that first took place in 2012. Uplifting local businesses while promoting music and community in Philadelphia, Made In America brought in over $10 million in economic impact, attracting more than 80,000 festival attendees in its first year.
Regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time, JAY-Z has been regularly recognized for his visionary music and artistic production. He was the first rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017, and first living solo hip-hop artist inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021. JAY-Z has won 25 GRAMMYs, 21 BET Hip-Hop Awards, six Billboard Music Awards and three American Music Awards. Additionally, he has won nine BET Awards and two Emmy awards for producing and directing Super Bowl Halftime shows. In 2023, the immersive "Book Of HOV: A Tribute to Jay-Z" exhibit was held in celebration of his life at the Brooklyn Public Library, winning a Webby award in 2024. JAY-Z co-produced the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical "Fela!" alongside Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. An influential figure in music and pop culture, JAY-Z was honored at the 2024 GRAMMYs as the second recipient of the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award for his achievements, impact on hip-hop music and support for Black artists. The following year, JAY-Z's album Reasonable Doubt was announced as one of the newest inductee recordings to the GRAMMY Hall of Fame.
JAY-Z's impact extends beyond the music and entertainment industry as he has maintained a passion for giving back to communities. He has both created and supported many philanthropic organizations - particularly those surrounding social justice. Within Roc Nation, JAY-Z is actively involved in the company's charitable efforts through its philanthropic entity, Team Roc. He is a founding partner of REFORM Alliance, which supports initiatives around transforming the justice system's probation and parole policies to create real pathways after imprisonment. He also maintains a seat on the Advisory Board for the United Justice Coalition. In 2002, JAY-Z and his mother, Dr. Gloria Carter, created the Shawn Carter Foundation to assist individuals facing socio-economic hardships in tapping into their potential through higher education.
