Not only is Jay Z one of the greatest rappers alive, he is a successful business, man.
Background:
Jay Z (real name Shawn Carter) was born in 1969
December 4th – Jay Z ft. Gloria Carter
Shawn Carter was born December 4th
Weighing in at 10 pounds, 8 ounces
He was the last of my 4 children
The only one who didn’t give me any pain when I gave birth to him
And that’s how I knew that he was a special child – Gloria Carter
I was conceived by Gloria Carter and Adnes Reeves
Who made love under the sycamore tree, which makes me
A more sicker M.C…
…Was a kid torn apart once his pop disappeared
I went to school, got good grades, could behave when I wanted
But I had demons deep inside that would raise when confronted… – Jay Z
Growing up:
Jay Z was brought up in Brooklyn’s Marcy housing projects. He attended school like every other kid but dropped out when he began selling crack cocaine. His experiences on the streets have been related in some of his songs.
Hard Knock Life – Jay Z
I don’t know how to sleep I gotta eat, stay on my toes… Hustling’s inside of me.
Rising to the top:
In 1996, Jay Z and two neighbourhood friends, Damon Dash and Kareem Burke, formed Roc-A-Fella records and released Jay-Z’s debut album Reasonable Doubt.
There has been speculation that after the label began to grow, Jay Z tried to convince his mentor and friend Jaz-O to sign to the label, but Jaz-O refused because of a deep-seated suspicion of the label’s CEO Damon Dash. This caused tension between the two old friends, which only escalated with Jay’s increased success. However, Beanie Sigel said something totally different about the feud between Jay and Dame.
D’Evils – Jay Z
Whoever said illegal was the easy way out couldn’t understand the mechanics and the workings of the underworld.
Nine to five is how to survive, I ain’t trying to survive. I’m trying to live to the limit and love it a lot.
The closest of friends when we first started but grew apart as the money grew, soon grew black-hearted.
Being successful:
Jay Z is an artiste, record label owner, businessman and an investor. He co-owns the exclusive New York City sports bar, the 40/40 Club, and is the co-creator of the clothing line Rocawear. He also founded the sports agency Roc Nation Sports and is a certified NBA and MLB sports agent.
He was once the president of Def Jam Recordings, co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records, and the founder of Roc Nation.
In 2015, Jay Z partnered with numerous artistes including his wife Beyoncé and friend Kanye West to launch Tidal, a streaming music service.
Forever Young- Jay Z ft. Hudson
Leave a mark that can’t erase neither space nor time, so when the director yells cut, I’ll be fine. I’m forever young.
My name shall be passed down to generations while debating up in barbershops…
On Beyoncé and Blue Ivy:
He is married to Beyoncé and together they have a daughter named Blue Ivy.
Glory – Jay Z ft Blue Ivy carter
The most amazing feeling I feel
Words cannot describe the feeling for real
Baby I paint the sky blue
My greatest creation was you you. Glory!
…
A younger smarter faster me
So a pinch of Hov and a whole glass of Bey…
You’re a child of destiny
You’re the child of my destiny
You’re my child with the child of destiny’s child
That’s a hell of a recipe
Glory! Glory! …
Happy 46th birthday Jay Z.