Jay-Z Wiki: Singer, Net Worth, Rapper, Beyonce & Facts To Know

One of the most popular performers in the world, Shawn Corey Carter a.k.a Jay-Z, has gained a lot of popularity and admirers over the years. This versatile artist is everywhere - Jay-Z is a former co-founder of Rock-A-Fella and president of Def Jam Recordings, has his clothing line, and owns a sports bar. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Jay-Z is one of four children, so he needed to stand up somehow. His father left his mom when the rapper was only 11 years old but they later reunited. Jay-Z used to play in the kitchen with dishes, making numerous sounds and pretending the pots were his drums, so his mother noticed his talent for music. She also claims that his desire for music got much bigger when she bought him with a mini beat-box for his birthday.

The love story of Beyonce and Jay-Z is quite familiar to their fans all over the world. But still, no one exactly knows when they met, and when did they start dating. Media consider the early 2000s as the beginning of their love; when Queen B was a rising star, and Jay-Z already a famous singer. In 2002, they worked together on the song "Bonnie and Clyde," and somehow, that duet was a confirmation of their relationship. Later, Jay-Z participated in numerous Beyonce songs, and they became one of the most influential couples in show-business, also listed as the most powerful duo, according to "TIME" magazine. They got married in April 2008, but neither of them likes to expose their private life to the media and public. Jay-Z and Beyonce have three kids. Beyonce gave birth to their daughter Blue Ivy, in January 2012, after four years of marriage. Two days later, Jay-Z released a song dedicated to his child and Beyonce called "Glory." A couple of months after the birth of Blu Ivy, Jay-Z and R'n'B star renewed their wedding vows. There were some rumors that Jay-Z and Beyonce had some struggles before Blue Ivy's birth. In this song, Jay-Z expressed his feelings, his love to his gorgeous wife, and the joy of being a father. In 2017, they welcomed twins, another daughter, Rumi, and a son, Sir.

Jay-Z's current net worth is estimated at $810 million, and Jay-Z's annual earnings are more than $50 million. Comparing to that, in 2010 his net worth was around $50 million. That fact tells a lot about his tremendous success over the years. Jay-Z's career began in the 80s, with his mentor, Jay-O, who was his inspiration and idol. He appeared on several of Jay-O's recording in his beginnings in the music industry. Producers noticed him, but Jay-Z still could not find a right publisher to sign a contract with. His beginnings in the music industry weren't so glorious. Although, that didn't stop him from having many proteges. Jay-Z has played a large role in the success of many other popular artists of nowadays, including Kanye West, Rihanna, Ne-Yo, J. Cole, Rita Ora, Just Blaze, Rick Ross, etc. As you can see, many of these stars must say "thank you" to Jay-Z.

Jay-Z released his debut album "Reasonable Doubt" in 1996, the same year he co-founded Rock-A-Fella Records. He collaborated with P. Diddy on several songs on "Reasonable Doubt," and many of them achieved the top 20 on the charts. Jay-Z started a revolution in the rap world. Jay-Z's first albums in the new millennium, "The Blueprint" and "The Blueprint 2: The Gift and The Cruise," credited many performers, like Kanye West, Timbaland, and Eminem. At the same time as his albums were hitting the very top of charts, Jay-Z was charged with the illicit possession of a weapon. However, this did not diminish the success of "The Blueprint" albums. Most songs were about Jay-Z's remorse for some past acts, such as "Song Cry," "Takeover," and "Renegade," on which Jay-Z collaborated with Eminem.

Being known as a very versatile singer, mixing rap styles with the R'n'B and pop music, Jay-Z released the album "Collision Course" in 2004. His mash-up song with Linkin Park, "Numb/Encore" went number one and sold 300,000 copies in its first week. In last decade, Jay-Z devoted himself to support new talents, but he didn't neglect his career as a rapper. In 2009, he made a tremendous success performing his duet with one of the greatest female vocals, Alicia Keys. They recorded "Empire State of Mind," a song which became his first number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2009. In "Empire State Of Mind," Jay-Z describes New York; many Jay-Z's fans consider this track as the unofficial anthem of the Big Apple.

Last year, Jay-Z released his newest album called "4:44." In the song "Family Feud," about his wife and in which she participated, he confesses his sins. Jay-Z tells about his infidelity. Besides Beyonce, Jay-Z's daughter was the part of "Family Feud" music video, broadcasted a couple of days ago. In the album, Jay-Z insists on racism issues too. In "The Story of O.J.," the rapper points out stereotypes and his experience of being a black person in America. Jay-Z had a glorious comeback after 4 years of not being active in the music world. Some songs from the album, like above-mentioned "The Story of O.J." or "Kill Jay-Z," have special emotions and talk about many things that remain unsaid in the USA.

Instead of a conclusion, here are some interesting facts about Jay-Z: - Jay-Z is the second richest person in the hip-hop music, right after P. Diddy. - Jay-Z won 21 Grammy Awards from more than 60 nominations, making him the 10th most awarded artist of all-time. - Kanye West is one of Jay-Z's best friends. - Jay-Z cheated on Beyonce many, many times, potentially with Rihanna and Rita Ora. - Since he was living in "a hood," Jay-Z struggled with drugs and crime when he was a teenager. Jay-Z was a member of a gang and shot his brother when he was only 12. - In high school, Jay-Z hung out with another rap legend, Notorious B.I.G.