Jay-Z was born as Shawn Corey Carter in 1969, in Brooklyn, New York. Carter grew up living in the Marcy Houses projects with his mother, Gloria Carter, after being abandoned by his father at the age of twelve. He went to George Westinghouse High School in Brooklyn, followed by Trenton Central High School in New Jersey. Jay-Z never graduated and has been very public about the fact that he sold cocaine and marijuana on the streets of New York, Virginia, and Maryland.

One year, his mother bought him a boom box for his birthday, and Jay-Z began free-styling and writing music. Carter’s stage name came from the J-Z subway lines that stopped in his neighborhood growing up. Right from the beginning Jay-Z decided that he would do things his way. Instead of shopping his demos around to already established record labels, Jay-Z created his own label, Roc-A-Fella Records, to distribute his music.

Roc-A-Fella Records has grown into a massive empire that now includes Roc-La-Familia, Rocawear, and Roc-A-Fella Films. Jay-Z eventually sold his stakes in the company to Def Jam Records and was then appointed CEO and President of Def Jam. Other hip-hop artists that have their own media empire include Sean P Diddy Combs and Russell Simmons.

Jay-Z released his debut album in 1996, and it featured a track with The Notorious B.I.G. Commercially, the album was a disappointment but it did receive critical acclaim. After that, Jay-Z always walked a fine line between selling out for the commercial success and staying true to his roots. Fellow artists have praised him for his ability to create whole verses of songs in his head without having to write the lyrics down. He also has the ability to quickly memorize and recite lyrics.

In 2003, Jay-Z released The Black Album, what he has called his retirement album. The album contained several hit singles including "What More Can I Say," "Dirt Off Your Shoulder," and "99 Problems." He also went on tour with 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, and Sean Paul to celebrate his retirement.

Jay-Z’s retirement from producing his own albums has not stopped him from helping other artists produce their albums. Since his retirement he has participated in several side projects including appearing in several concerts with R. Kelly and Linkin Park. Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park is said to be one of Jay-Z’s closest friends, and the two have collaborated several times together in the past.

Some of Jay-Z’s other entrepreurial efforts include being co-owner of the sports bar, The 40/40 Club. He is also part owner of the NBA team the New Jersey Nets and is considering purchasing the English Football Team, the Arsenal F.C.

As far as his personal life goes, Jay-Z has been linked to pop diva Beyonce Knowles since 2002. The couple began collaborating together that year with Beyonce appearing on Jay-Z’s single "Bonnie & Clyde," which was shortly followed-up by Jay-Z appearing on Beyonce’s single "Crazy in Love." The two have been together for nearly four years but have never publicly acknowledged their relationship. They were also voted as a "power couple" on the 100 Most Influential People of 2006 in Time magazine. Jay-Z has said in interviews that the two will marry soon.

YUDDY