Birth name Shawn Corey Carter - Jigga, Jay, Hova.

Born December 4, 1971 (1971-12-04) (age 36)
Brooklyn, New York City

Genre(s) Hip hop, hardcore hip hop, East Coast hip hop, gangsta rap, pop rap

Occupation(s) Musician

• Songwriter
• Record executive
• CEO
• President

Years active 1989 - 2003

2006 - present

Label(s) Roc-A-Fella/IDJMG/Universal

Associated
acts Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel, Beyoncé Knowles, Fort Minor, Mike Shinoda, Linkin Park, Kanye West, R. Kelly, Freeway, The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Young Jeezy

Albums

• Reasonable Doubt (1996)
• In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997)
• Hard Knock Life - Vol. 2 (1998)
• Life and Times of S. Carter - Vol. 3 - (1999)
• The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (2000)
• The Blueprint (2001)
• The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse (2002)
• Rivalry with Nas
• The Black Album (2003)
• Collision Course (2004)
• Retirement
• "I Declare War" concert
• Kingdom Come (2006)
• American Gangster (2007)
• The Blueprint 3 (2009)

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.[24]

In late 2004, Jay-Z, Dash and Biggs sold their remaining interests in Roc-A-Fella Records and the 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-Z, Dash and Biggs led to the former partners sending jabs at each other in interviews. Dame Dash has made comments that after the break up he was portrayed as "Osama bin Laden" to ensure that rappers would stay with Jay-Z and not sign with him.[25] Dash currently operates the recently-founded Dame Dash Music Group as a joint venture with Island Def Jam producing some former Roc-A-Fella artists.

Rocawear
In 1999, Jay-Z co-founded the urban clothing brand Rocawear with Roc-A-Fella Records partners Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke.[26] Rocawear has clothing lines and accessories for men, women and children. The line was taken over by Jay-Z in early 2006 following a falling out with co-founder Damon Dash.

In March of 2007, Jay-Z sold the rights to the Rocawear brand to Iconix Brand Group, for $204 million. Jay-Z will retain his stake in the company and will continue to oversee the marketing, licensing and product development.[26][27]