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Born 04 December 1969.
Jay-Z is a performance name for the person Shawn Carter .
Photo of Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969) better known by his stage name Jay-Z (pronounced the American way, "Zee"), is an American hip hop singer and former CEO of Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records. In addition, he co-owns The 40/40 Club and the New Jersey Nets NBA team. He is one of the most financially successful hip-hop artists and entrepreneurs in America. Jay-Z is the most successful example of the growing power of hip-hop. He has sold a total of 33 million copies worldwide, and his latest album sold 680,000 copies in the United States alone, during its first week. Known for his flow and blending of street and popular style, he can compose lyrics without the use of pen and paper. His critically acclaimed album The Blueprint was written in only two days. After announcing his retirement from recording music in 2003, he returned in late 2006 with the album Kingdom Come which sold 680,000 copies in its first week, Jay-Z's highest-selling album in a one-week period. The New York Times announced that Jay-Z is on the verge of a partnership with Live Nation for $150 million - among the richest contracts ever awarded to a musician.
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Really Simple Syndication
Tue 17 Nov 2009 11:18
The rapper has joined Jada Pinkett Smith in helping to produce a new 'afrobeat...
Fri 18 Sep 2009 14:17
Rapper Jay-Z defends "super passionate" Kanye West for his on-stage outburst at...
Wed 16 Sep 2009 22:07
Rapper Jay-Z scores his 11th US number one album, giving him more chart-toppers than...
Really Simple Syndication
I don't know where you're from, you don't know where I'm from, but I do know that if...Fraser McAlpine
Really Simple Syndication
The Blueprint 3
Reviewed by Adam Anonymous
Clinging to his crown as king of New York hip hop.
American Gangster
Reviewed by James Young
The release date? Fireworks night naturally. Boom!
Kingdom Come
Reviewed by Maxine Headley
He's old enough to do what the hell he wants.
Watch Tim Westwood interview Jay-Z ahead of his show-stopping Pyramind stage performance.
Jay-Z - Glastonbury 2008
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The Blueprint 3
Blazing hip hop and hot new exclusives
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The best new music shoved in your ears
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