01of 23JAY-Z’s Early YearsSGranitz/WireImageShawn Corey Carter, professionally known asJAY-Z,was born on Dec. 4, 1969, in New York City.From humble beginnings — growing up in Marcy Projects in Brooklyn — to becoming the first hip-hop artist to amass abillion-dollar fortune, JAY-Z has become a titan in the music industry and a highly successful investor across many fields: liquor, art, real estate, fashion and companies like Uber.In honor of his birthday, take a look back at some of the artist’s biggest moments that got him to where he is today.
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JAY-Z’s Early Years
SGranitz/WireImage
Shawn Corey Carter, professionally known asJAY-Z,was born on Dec. 4, 1969, in New York City.
From humble beginnings — growing up in Marcy Projects in Brooklyn — to becoming the first hip-hop artist to amass abillion-dollar fortune, JAY-Z has become a titan in the music industry and a highly successful investor across many fields: liquor, art, real estate, fashion and companies like Uber.
In honor of his birthday, take a look back at some of the artist’s biggest moments that got him to where he is today.
02of 23JAY-Z in the ‘90sSylvain Gaboury/FilmMagicJAY-Z co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records in 1995 with Damon “Dame” Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke.
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JAY-Z in the ’90s
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JAY-Z co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records in 1995 with Damon “Dame” Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke.
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04of 23JAY-Z’s S. Carter Shoe CollectionDjamilla Rosa Cochran/WireImageHov and Memphis Bleek hung during the Jay Z Brings S. Carter Shoe Collection Home to N.Y.C. at Foot Locker in 2003.
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JAY-Z’s S. Carter Shoe Collection
Djamilla Rosa Cochran/WireImage
Hov and Memphis Bleek hung during the Jay Z Brings S. Carter Shoe Collection Home to N.Y.C. at Foot Locker in 2003.
05of 23JAY-Z and Naomi CampbellKMazur/WireImageSupermodelNaomi Campbellmade a cameo in Jay’s “Change Clothes” video, which was the first single off of his classic:The Black Album.
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JAY-Z and Naomi Campbell
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SupermodelNaomi Campbellmade a cameo in Jay’s “Change Clothes” video, which was the first single off of his classic:The Black Album.
06of 23JAY-Z and Damon DashJohnny Nunez/WireImageDame and Hov posed during the opening of Jay Z’s 40/40 Club in 2003 in N.Y.C.
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JAY-Z and Damon Dash
Johnny Nunez/WireImage
Dame and Hov posed during the opening of Jay Z’s 40/40 Club in 2003 in N.Y.C.
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JAY-Z’s Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund
08of 23JAY-Z’s 40/40 ClubJamie McCarthy/WireImageThe star received the key to Atlantic City, New Jersey, as he celebrated the grand opening of the 40/40 Club in A.C. in 2005.
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JAY-Z’s 40/40 Club
Jamie McCarthy/WireImage
The star received the key to Atlantic City, New Jersey, as he celebrated the grand opening of the 40/40 Club in A.C. in 2005.
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JAY-Z and the Brooklyn Nets
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10of 23JAY-Z and Alicia KeysRich Pilling/MLB via GettyFresh off of their monster hit “Empire State of Mind” hitting the top of the charts, Jay andAlicia Keysperformed the New York anthem during game two of the 2009 MLB World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 29, 2009.
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JAY-Z and Alicia Keys
Rich Pilling/MLB via Getty
Fresh off of their monster hit “Empire State of Mind” hitting the top of the charts, Jay andAlicia Keysperformed the New York anthem during game two of the 2009 MLB World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 29, 2009.
11of 23JAY-Z in BrooklynJemal Countess/GettyBy March 2010, Carter, Bruce Ratner, New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, New York State Governor David Paterson, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Delia Hunley-Adossa got together during the ceremonial groundbreaking for Barclays Center at Atlantic Yards on March 11, 2010, in N.Y.C.
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JAY-Z in Brooklyn
Jemal Countess/Getty
By March 2010, Carter, Bruce Ratner, New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, New York State Governor David Paterson, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Delia Hunley-Adossa got together during the ceremonial groundbreaking for Barclays Center at Atlantic Yards on March 11, 2010, in N.Y.C.
12of 23JAY-Z Performing in 2012Kevin Mazur/WireImageThe businessman and philanthropist performed at Carnegie Hall to benefit the United Way of New York City and the Shawn Carter Foundation on Feb. 7, 2012, in N.Y.C.
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JAY-Z Performing in 2012
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
The businessman and philanthropist performed at Carnegie Hall to benefit the United Way of New York City and the Shawn Carter Foundation on Feb. 7, 2012, in N.Y.C.
13of 23JAY-Z Unveils TidalJamie McCarthy/GettyUsher,Rihanna,Nicki Minaj,Madonna, Deadmau5,Kanye Westand J. Cole gathered onstage with Carter as he unveiled his new music streaming service, Tidal, at Skylight at Moynihan Station on March 30, 2015, in N.Y.C.
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JAY-Z Unveils Tidal
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Usher,Rihanna,Nicki Minaj,Madonna, Deadmau5,Kanye Westand J. Cole gathered onstage with Carter as he unveiled his new music streaming service, Tidal, at Skylight at Moynihan Station on March 30, 2015, in N.Y.C.
14of 23JAY-Z and Roc NationNicholas Hunt/GettyCarter signed artist Romeo Santos to his Roc Nation Management roster on June 8, 2016.
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JAY-Z and Roc Nation
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Carter signed artist Romeo Santos to his Roc Nation Management roster on June 8, 2016.
15of 23JAY-Z with Beyoncé and Hillary ClintonBrooks Kraft/ GettyBeyoncéand Jay performed at a concert for Democratic presidential candidateHillary Clintonon Nov. 4, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
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JAY-Z with Beyoncé and Hillary Clinton
Brooks Kraft/ Getty
Beyoncéand Jay performed at a concert for Democratic presidential candidateHillary Clintonon Nov. 4, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.
16of 23JAY-Z on SNLRosalind O’Connor/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyThe rapper appeared onSaturday Night Live, alongside hostRyan Gosling, in September 2017.
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JAY-Z on SNL
Rosalind O’Connor/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
The rapper appeared onSaturday Night Live, alongside hostRyan Gosling, in September 2017.
17of 23JAY-Z Winning a GrammyJEWEL SAMAD/AFP via GettyOn the eve of the 60th annualGrammy Awardsin 2018, Hov was presented with the Industry Icon award during the traditional Clive Davis party.
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JAY-Z Winning a Grammy
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty
On the eve of the 60th annualGrammy Awardsin 2018, Hov was presented with the Industry Icon award during the traditional Clive Davis party.
18of 23JAY-Z and Beyoncé’s On the Run TourLarry Busacca/PW18/GettyThe father of three and wife Beyoncé shared a kiss during their joint On the Run II tour at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 2, 2018, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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JAY-Z and Beyoncé’s On the Run Tour
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The father of three and wife Beyoncé shared a kiss during their joint On the Run II tour at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 2, 2018, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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JAY-Z and The Reform Alliance
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20of 23JAY-Z and DiddyKevin Mazur/GettyThe living legend hung with his A-list palsDiddy, Usher,Swizz Beatzand more at his annual Roc Nation pre-Grammys brunch on Feb. 9, 2019, in L.A.
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JAY-Z and Diddy
The living legend hung with his A-list palsDiddy, Usher,Swizz Beatzand more at his annual Roc Nation pre-Grammys brunch on Feb. 9, 2019, in L.A.
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JAY-Z at the NAACP Image Awards
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22of 23JAY-Z and the NFLKevin Mazur/GettyNFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Jay were in good spirits at the Roc Nation and NFL partnership announcement at Roc Nation on Aug. 14, 2019, in N.Y.C.
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JAY-Z and the NFL
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Jay were in good spirits at the Roc Nation and NFL partnership announcement at Roc Nation on Aug. 14, 2019, in N.Y.C.
23of 23JAY-Z Is Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of FameJAY-Z.Michael Loccisano/GettyIn late 2021, JAY-Z achieved one of music’s highest honors as hewas inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland,becoming the first living solo rap artist to earn the accolade.“Growing up, we didn’t think we could be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We were told that hip-hop was a fad,” he began his speech. “Much like punk rock, it gave us this anti-culture, this subgenre, and there were heroes in it.““Hopefully, I’m informing the next generation that anything is possible. I don’t know what’s next … but you know, tonight, we’re going to enjoy tonight. I appreciate this honor. We did it, Brooklyn!” the father of three concluded.
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JAY-Z Is Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
JAY-Z.Michael Loccisano/Getty
In late 2021, JAY-Z achieved one of music’s highest honors as hewas inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland,becoming the first living solo rap artist to earn the accolade.
“Growing up, we didn’t think we could be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We were told that hip-hop was a fad,” he began his speech. “Much like punk rock, it gave us this anti-culture, this subgenre, and there were heroes in it.”
“Hopefully, I’m informing the next generation that anything is possible. I don’t know what’s next … but you know, tonight, we’re going to enjoy tonight. I appreciate this honor. We did it, Brooklyn!” the father of three concluded.
source: people.com
