Releases by jay-z

Brooklyn, New York, native Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as JAY-Z, is an American rapper, businessman, and record executive. He is known for his widely lauded body of work, rooted in East Coast hip-hop and characterized by lyricism that frequently incorporates wordplay, double entendres, and themes of personal advancement and success. In 2023, he was named the greatest rapper of all time by Billboard and Vibe. As of 2025, he is reported to be the wealthiest musician, with an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion. Music Career JAY-Z began recording music in the late 1980s under the mentorship of fellow New York City rapper Jaz-O. In 1994, he co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records, through which he released his debut studio album "Reasonable Doubt" (1996) and his sophomore album "In My Lifetime, Vol. 1" (1997), both of which received critical acclaim. He subsequently released 11 additional studio albums, including "The Blueprint" (2001), "The Black Album" (2003), "American Gangster" (2007), and "4:44" (2017), all of which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. In 2000, he opened Baseline Studios at 127 W. 26th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. Baseline was the ultimate culture and music hub — a space that created opportunities for JAY-Z himself and novice and professional musicians alike, producing beats that were socially attuned to the times. Tracks from his most eminent albums, such as “The Dynasty: Roc La Familia,” “The Blueprint,” and “The Black Album,” were recorded at Baseline. Some of JAY-Z’s best collaborative projects include "Collision Course" (2004) with Linkin Park and "Everything Is Love" (2018) with Beyoncé. He has reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 four times, once as a lead artist with "Empire State of Mind" (2009), featuring Alicia Keys, and three times as a featured artist on "Heartbreaker" (1999) by Mariah Carey, "Crazy in Love" (2003) by Beyoncé, and "Umbrella" (2007) by Rihanna. Business Ventures He co-founded the clothing brand Rocawear in 1999 and established The 40/40 Club chain of luxury sports lounges in 2003. From 2004 to 2007, JAY-Z served as president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings. In 2008, he co-launched Roc Nation with Desiree Perez (CEO), Jay Brown (Vice Chairman), Juan Perez (President of Roc Nation Sports), and Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith (President of A&R), an entertainment company encompassing music and sports management, recording, distribution, and publishing. Roc Nation represents highly acclaimed artists such as Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Uzi Vert, Big Sean, DJ Khaled, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, and A$AP Rocky. Currently, JAY-Z serves as Chairman of Roc Nation. As a Roc Nation artist himself, JAY-Z was offered a 10-year, $200 million touring contract with Live Nation. Four years after launching Roc Nation, he further expanded his music business portfolio. He founded the Philadelphia-based outdoor music experience, Made in America Festival, in 2012. In 2015, he acquired the technology firm Aspiro and oversaw the expansion of its streaming service TIDAL. In 2019, JAY-Z became the first hip-hop artist to be recognized as a billionaire. He has invested in and started several other companies. JAY-Z is the founder of clothing brand Paper Planes (2014) and Marcy Venture Partners (2018) and co-owner of high-end spirits label Armand De Brignac (2014). He married Beyoncé in 2008, and they have three children. Accolades and Awards JAY-Z is among the best-selling music artists of all time. He has won 25 GRAMMY Awards, including best rap album, best rap song, best solo rap performance, best music video, and best rap/sung collaboration. JAY-Z is the recipient of three American Music Awards: two for favorite rap/hip-hop album and one for favorite rap/hip-hop artist. He has won nine BET Awards, 21 BET Hip Hop Awards, seven Billboard Music Awards, and a Soul Train Music Award for Best Album of the Year for “The Blueprint.” Outside the music world, JAY-Z has received additional honors, including the NAACP President’s Award, three Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award for his role as executive producer of “Time: The Kalief Browder Story,” and a Tony Award nomination for Fela! He was ranked by Billboard among the 100 greatest artists of all time, became the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and was the first solo living rapper inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2013, Time included him on its list of the 100 most influential people in the world. His album, “Reasonable Doubt,” was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame in 2025. JAY-Z was honored with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award in 2024 for his influence in culture and philanthropy. TV and Film He was the executive producer of “Rest In Power: The Trayvon Martin Story” (2018) and “Free Meek” (2019) and co-produced “Exposing Parchman” (2023). Philanthropy JAY-Z is heavily involved in improving community well-being and other philanthropic initiatives. In 2003, JAY-Z, along with his mother, Dr. Gloria Carter, founded The Shawn Carter Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps bridge opportunity gaps in education. He is an advisory board member for United Justice Coalition and a founding partner of REFORM Alliance, an organization founded after the wrongful re-incarceration of musician Meek Mill. He is also active in supporting Team Roc, Roc Nation’s social justice and philanthropy arm, which serves U.S. and global communities. Studio albums Reasonable Doubt (1996) In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997) Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life (1998) Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter (1999) The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (2000) The Blueprint (2001) The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse (2002) The Black Album (2003) Kingdom Come (2006) American Gangster (2007) The Blueprint 3 (2009) Magna Carta Holy Grail (2013) 4:44 (2017) Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.