Jay-Z

1969-12-04 -

Jay-Z (Shawn Corey Carter) grew up in New York City and attended several area high schools but never graduated. Classmates included Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes. The name "Jay-Z" was derived from his childhood nickname Jazzy, as well as from his music mentor Jaz-O and the J-Z subway lines.

When no major label would give Jay-Z a contract, he created his own label called Roc-A-Fella and released his debut album "Reasonable Doubt." Big commercial success would come with 1998's "Vol 2...Hard Knock Life" which included the single "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)".

Jay-Z's most critically acclaimed cd to date arguably is "The Blueprint" which was released in 2001.

Jay-Z is a co-owner of the New Jersey Nets as well as the 40/40 Club in New York City. He was romantically linked to, and eventually married Beyonce Knowles.