Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969),[1] better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010.[2][3] He has sold approximately 50 million albums worldwide, while receiving thirteen Grammy Awards for his musical work, and numerous additional nominations.[4][5] He is consistently ranked as one of the greatest rappers of all-time. He was ranked so by MTV in their list of The Greatest MCs of All-Time in 2006. Two of his albums, Reasonable Doubt (1996) and The Blueprint (2001) are considered landmarks in the genre with both of them being ranked in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Blender, included the former on their 500 CDs You Must Own Before You Die.[6]

Jay-Z and Beyonce Knowles leaving Wallse Restaurant in NY

“Ghostwriter” for such stars as: Foxy Brown, Ma$e, Dr. Dre, and others.
His ex-girlfriend’s pregnancy led to a miscarriage two years ago, a fact he laments in the song “This Can’t Be Life”, from 2000′s The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (2000).
Has had six consecutive albums make #1 debuts on The Billboard Hot 100 Pop Charts: “Volume 2: Hard Knock Life”; “Volume 3: The Life and Times of S. Carter”; “The Dynasty/Roc la’ Familia”; “The Blueprint”; “Blueprint 2: The Gift and the Curse”, and “The Black Album”.
Since his album “Hard Knock Life/Volume 2″, every Jay-Z solo album has gone at least double platinum.
2003″ Opened a sports bar called 40/40 Club.
His “The Blueprint 2″ has sold a total of 3 million copies.
Created urban clothing line ‘Roca Wear’
His latest album is, “The Black Album”, which he says will be his last.
Calls “Reasonable Doubt” the favorite of his own recordings because “it’s the first.”.
Calls “Blueprint 2″ his weakest album because of “too many songs.”.
The second rapper to have his own signature sneaker, the S. Carter by Reebok. (Master P was first, affiliated with Converse.) It went on to become one of the biggest-selling sneakers of 2003.
“The Black Album” is to be accompanied by his autobiography, “The Black Book”.
Ends the feud with Rapper Nas.
Is good friends with Eminem. They have worked together three times since 2003.
Has often been called “The God MC.” This is why he has been called Hova. J-Hova (Jehovah).
He and Beyoncé Knowles are buying a house in Miami as well as in London, England.
Discovered rapper Malicious Jynx.
July 2004: Has a sneaker deal with Reebok to create his S. Carter sneaker line.
Is portrayed by Jimmie Walker in rapper Cam’Ron’s video “Wet Wipes”.
Was among the guests at Usher Raymond’s 26th birthday party.
Ranked #10 on VH1′s 50 Greatest Hip Hop Artists.
In 2004, it was reported that he had amassed a fortune worth $286 million as founder of Roc-a-fella Entertainment.
Good friends with Ralph Fiennes.
Son-in-law of Mathew Knowles and Tina Knowles.
Brother-in-law of Solange Knowles.
Along with his wife, Beyoncé Knowles, is good friends with Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin.
Ranked #7 in the 2008 Forbes The Celebrity 100 list.
It was controversially announced on February 2, 2008 that Jay-Z would headline Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, England, becoming the first major hip-hop artist to headline the British festival.
Good friends with Rihanna. He is also her mentor.