View source for Jay-Z

{{Short description|American rapper (born 1969)}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Jay-Z
| image              = File:Jay-Z @ Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter Foundation Carnival (crop 2).jpg
| caption            = Jay-Z in 2011
| birth_name         = Shawn Corey Carter
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1969|12|4}}
| birth_place        = [[Brooklyn]], New York City, U.S.
| other_names        = {{hlist|The Carter Administration|Jigga|Hova|El Presidente|HOV<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/2702599-The-Carter-Administration |title=The Carter Administration {{!}} Discography {{!}} Discogs<!-- Bot generated title --> |website=[[Discogs]] |access-date=February 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526191859/https://www.discogs.com/artist/2702599-The-Carter-Administration |archive-date=May 26, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
| occupation         = {{flatlist|
* Rapper
* songwriter
* record producer
* record executive
* businessman
* media proprietor
* actor
}}
| works              = {{hlist|[[Jay-Z albums discography|Albums]]|[[Jay-Z singles discography#Production discography|production]]|[[Jay-Z singles discography|singles]]|[[List of songs recorded by Jay-Z|songs]]|[[Jay-Z videography|videography]]}}
| years_active       = 1986–present<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rockhall.com/story-jay-z|title=Jay-Z|publisher=[[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]|access-date=November 15, 2021|archive-date=May 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513101443/https://www.rockhall.com/story-jay-z|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Bandini|url=https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2015/06/most-heads-dont-know-that-jay-zs-first-record-was-in-1986-audio/|title=Jay Z's First Record Ever Was in 1986…And It Was Not Hawaiian Sophie. Take a Listen (Audio)|publisher=Ambrosia For Heads|date=June 18, 2015|access-date=November 15, 2021|archive-date=November 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115235524/https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2015/06/most-heads-dont-know-that-jay-zs-first-record-was-in-1986-audio/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Jake Paine|url=https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2020/02/jaz-o-jay-z-first-song-hp-gets-busy-video/|title=Jaz-O Discusses The Record That He & JAY-Z Released In 1986 (Video)|publisher=Ambrosia For Heads|date=February 8, 2020|access-date=November 15, 2021|archive-date=November 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115235130/https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2020/02/jaz-o-jay-z-first-song-hp-gets-busy-video/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| spouse             = {{marriage|[[Beyoncé]]|April 4, 2008}}
| children           = 3, including [[Blue Ivy Carter|Blue Ivy]]
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by Jay-Z|Full list]]
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| background         = solo_singer <!-- mandatory field -->
| genre = {{hlist|[[Hip-hop]]|[[East Coast hip-hop]]}}
| label              = {{hlist|[[Roc Nation]]|[[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]|[[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]]|[[Roc-A-Fella Records|Roc-A-Fella]]|[[Arista Records|NorthWestSide]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CGJy64Fh5yB/?hl=en |title=Jay-Z, as photographed during a promotional shoot for the London-based Northwestside Records |publisher=Instagram |date=October 10, 2020 |access-date=November 28, 2022 |archive-date=November 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128084134/https://www.instagram.com/p/CGJy64Fh5yB/?hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref>|
[[Priority Records|Priority]]|[[Payday Records|Payday]]|[[FFRR Records|FFRR]]}}
<!--Chronological order. JAY signed with RAF first.-->
| current_member_of    = <!--Only include NOTABLE collaborations. The following are consistently linked to/worked with Jay-Z.-->
[[The Carters]]
| past_member_of = {{flatlist|
* [[The Notorious B.I.G.|The Commission]]
* [[Jaz-O|High Potent]]
* [[Murder Inc. (rap group)|Murder Inc.]]
}}
| website            = {{URL|lifeandtimes.com}}
{{Infobox
| child=yes
| header          = Logo
| headerstyle     = background:#b0c4de
| data1 = }}
}}
| signature          = Jay-Z sig.svg
}}

'''Shawn Corey Carter''' (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as '''Jay-Z''',{{efn|{{IPAc-en|dʒ|eɪ|'|z|iː}} {{respelling|jay|ZEE}}; alternately stylized as '''JAY-Z''', '''Jaÿ-Z''' (appears on ''[[Reasonable Doubt (album)|Reasonable Doubt]]''), '''Jay Z''', and '''Jay:Z''' throughout his career.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Fact |url=http://www.factmag.com/2015/04/29/jay-z-is-spelling-his-name-with-an-umlaut-again/ |title=Jay Z is spelling his name with an umlaut again |work=Fact Magazine |date=April 29, 2015 |access-date=June 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617142224/http://www.factmag.com/2015/04/29/jay-z-is-spelling-his-name-with-an-umlaut-again/ |archive-date=June 17, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://revolt.tv/stories/2017/06/20/timeline-jayzs-hyphens-umlauts-07004cadba|last=Ketchum III|first=William E.|title=JAY-Z's Name: A Complete Timeline of Shawn Carter's Rap Alias|date=June 20, 2017|publisher=[[Revolt (TV network)|Revolt]]|access-date=July 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704012914/https://revolt.tv/stories/2017/06/20/timeline-jayzs-hyphens-umlauts-07004cadba|archive-date=July 4, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>}} is an American rapper, businessman, and record executive. He was named [[Billboard and Vibe's 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time|the greatest rapper of all time]] by ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' and ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' in 2023.<ref name=":6">{{Cite magazine |last1=Lamarre |first1=Carl |last2=Mitchell |first2=Gail |last3=Murphy |first3=Keith |last4=Saponara |first4=Michael |last5=Thomas |first5=Datwon |last6=Elibert |first6=Mark |last7=Diep |first7=Eric |last8=Ketchum III |first8=William E. |last9=Mamo |first9=Heran |date=August 2, 2023 |title=50 Greatest Rappers of All Time |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-rappers-all-time/ |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |access-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-date=March 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331033823/http://billboard.com/lists/best-rappers-all-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Rooted in [[East Coast hip-hop]], Jay-Z is known for his complex lyricism that often uses [[double entendre]]s, [[wordplay]], and [[Braggadocio (rap)|braggadocio]]. His music is built on a [[rags to riches]] narrative. He is the [[List of music artists by net worth|richest musician]], worth $2.6 billion as of 2025.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 27, 2023 |title=Jay-Z is now worth $2.5 billion—Warren Buffett once said 'he's the guy to learn from' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/27/jay-z-billionaire-net-worth-increase.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417210634/https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2023/03/27/jay-z-billionaire-net-worth-increase.html |archive-date=April 17, 2023 |access-date=April 17, 2023 |website=[[CNBC]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jay-Z |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/jay-z/ |access-date=2025-09-18 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>

A protégé of the fellow New York City-based rapper [[Jaz-O]], Jay-Z began recording music in the late 1980s. He co-founded [[Roc-A-Fella Records]] in 1994 to release his first two studio albums ''[[Reasonable Doubt (album)|Reasonable Doubt]]'' (1996) and ''[[In My Lifetime, Vol. 1]]'' (1997), both of which received acclaim. His 11 subsequent albums, including ''[[The Blueprint]]'' (2001), ''[[The Black Album (Jay-Z album)|The Black Album]]'' (2003), ''[[American Gangster (album)|American Gangster]]'' (2007), and ''[[4:44]]'' (2017), debuted atop the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]. [[Jay-Z albums discography|His discography]] also includes the collaborative albums ''[[The Best of Both Worlds (Jay-Z and R. Kelly album)|The Best of Both Worlds]]'' (2002) and ''[[Unfinished Business (Jay-Z and R. Kelly album)|Unfinished Business]]'' (2004) with [[R. Kelly]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 18, 2017 |title=R. Kelly: The history of his crimes and allegations against him |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-40635526 |access-date=February 18, 2024 |language=en-GB |archive-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511182505/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-40635526 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Collision Course (EP)|Collision Course]]'' (2004) with [[Linkin Park]], ''[[Watch the Throne]]'' (2011) with [[Kanye West]], and ''[[Everything Is Love]]'' (2018) with [[Beyoncé]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title= 349: Jay-Z, The Black Album |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/jay-z-the-black-album-20120524 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date= May 31, 2009 |access-date=August 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819011215/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/jay-z-the-black-album-20120524 |archive-date= August 19, 2013 |url-status= live }}</ref> Jay-Z has 14 number-one albums, tied with [[Drake (musician)|Drake]] for the second-most for a solo artist.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=February 23, 2025 |title=PARTYNEXTDOOR & Drake's '$ome $exy $ongs 4 U' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/partynextdoor-drake-some-sexy-songs-4-u-number-one-billboard-200-chart-1235908274/ |access-date=February 23, 2025 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thesource.com/2018/04/25/lil-wayne-top-5-rappers-of-all-time-list-jay-z-missy-elliott-8ball-mjg-camron-ugk/|title=A Quick Look at Why Lil Wayne's 'Top 5 Rappers of All Time' List Is Accurate AF|publisher=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]|date=April 25, 2018|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924115211/http://thesource.com/2018/04/25/lil-wayne-top-5-rappers-of-all-time-list-jay-z-missy-elliott-8ball-mjg-camron-ugk/|archive-date=September 24, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=250: Jay-Z, Reasonable Doubt |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/jay-z-reasonable-doubt-19691231 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120602131243/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/jay-z-reasonable-doubt-19691231 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 2, 2012|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=July 28, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title= 252: Jay-Z, The Blueprint |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/jay-z-the-blueprint-19691231 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604051250/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/jay-z-the-blueprint-19691231 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 4, 2012 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=July 28, 2012}}</ref> He has topped the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] on four occasions: once as a lead artist with his 2009 single "[[Empire State of Mind]]" (featuring [[Alicia Keys]]), and thrice with his guest performances on "[[Heartbreaker (Mariah Carey song)|Heartbreaker]]" (1999) by [[Mariah Carey]], "[[Crazy in Love]]" (2003) by Beyoncé, and "[[Umbrella (song)|Umbrella]]" (2007) by [[Rihanna]].<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/jay-z/chart-history/hsi/ | title=Jay-Z | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | access-date=November 29, 2021 | archive-date=July 9, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709062005/https://www.billboard.com/music/jay-z/chart-history/hot-100 | url-status=live }}</ref>

Jay-Z served as president and chief executive officer of [[Def Jam Recordings]] from 2004 to 2007,<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=December 8, 2004 |title=Jay-Z Named Def Jam President/CEO |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/jay-z-named-def-jam-presidentceo-65356/ |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |access-date=April 7, 2023}}</ref> during which he helped launch the careers of successful artists including West, Rihanna, and [[Ne-Yo]]. He co-founded [[Rocawear]], a clothing retailer, in 1999,<ref name="Luxury">{{cite book | title=Luxury Brand Management | publisher= John Wiley & Sons | last= Chevalier| first= Michel | year=2012 | location=Singapore | isbn=978-1-118-17176-9}}</ref> and founded the [[40/40 Club (venue)|40/40 Club]], a luxury bar chain, in 2003. As both grew into multi-million-dollar businesses, he launched [[Roc Nation]], a multi-disciplinary entertainment agency, in 2008. In 2015, he acquired the technology company [[Aspiro]] and led the expansion of its media streaming service [[Tidal (service)|Tidal]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6509498/jay-z-tidal-launch-artist-stakeholders |title=It's Official: Jay Z's Historic Tidal Launches with 16 Artist Stakeholders |last1=Flanagan |first1=Andrew |last2=Hampp |first2=Andrew |date=March 30, 2015|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=January 13, 2019|quote=Jay-Z's ambitious entrance into the streaming music business, which came as a surprise to industry observers, debuted Monday (March 30) at an event at New York's James A. Farley Post Office in Herald Square.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402032038/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6509498/jay-z-tidal-launch-artist-stakeholders|archive-date=April 2, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Sisario|first=Ben|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/14/business/media/jay-z-buys-the-music-streaming-firm-aspiro.html|title=Jay Z Buys the Music Streaming Firm, Aspiro|date=March 13, 2015|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 14, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190908091219/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/14/business/media/jay-z-buys-the-music-streaming-firm-aspiro.html|archive-date=September 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Holland|first=Fahiemah Al-Ali, Frank|date=December 10, 2020|title=Billionaire Jay-Z becomes the latest cultural influencer to launch his own cannabis brand|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/10/jay-z-becomes-latest-cultural-influencer-to-launch-a-cannabis-brand.html|access-date=December 11, 2020|website=CNBC|language=en|archive-date=February 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217205705/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/10/jay-z-becomes-latest-cultural-influencer-to-launch-a-cannabis-brand.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Through his business ventures, Jay-Z became the first [[hip-hop]] [[Black billionaire|billionaire]] in 2019.<ref name="networth">{{Cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/jay-z-net-worth-2019-9|title=Jay-Z is worth $1 billion — see how the rapper-turned-mogul makes and spends his fortune|work=Business Insider|access-date=June 3, 2019|archive-date=August 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801230134/https://www.businessinsider.com/jay-z-net-worth-2019-9|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Billionaire">{{cite web |last1=O'Malley Greenburg |first1=Zach |title=Artist, Icon, Billionaire: How Jay-Z Created His $1 Billion Fortune |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2019/06/03/jay-z-billionaire-worth/#2646440a3a5f |website=Forbes |access-date=June 3, 2019 |date=June 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603235754/https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2019/06/03/jay-z-billionaire-worth/#2646440a3a5f |archive-date=June 3, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> He married Beyoncé in 2008; they have three children.

One of the [[List of best-selling music artists|best-selling music artists]] with 140 million records sold, Jay-Z has won 25 [[Grammy Awards]], the [[Grammy Award records#Most Grammys won|eighth-most of all time]] and the most of any hip-hop artist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/882165-jay-z-grammys-most-rapper-history-tie-kanye-west-hip-hop-news|title=Jay-Z Breaks Tie With Kanye West For The Most Grammys Of Any Rapper In History|publisher=hotnewhiphop.com|date=February 4, 2025|access-date=February 4, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204092042/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/882165-jay-z-grammys-most-rapper-history-tie-kanye-west-hip-hop-news|archive-date=February 4, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> He is the recipient of the [[NAACP]]'s [[NAACP Image Award – President's Award|President's Award]] and three [[Emmy Awards]] (including two [[Primetime Emmy Awards]]), in addition to being nominated for a [[Tony Awards|Tony Award]]. Ranked by ''Billboard'' as one of the 100 greatest artists of all time,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/#/charts-decade-end/artists-of-the-decade?year=2009|title=Billboard – Music Charts, Music News, Artist Photo Gallery & Free Video|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913150859/http://www.billboard.com/#/charts-decade-end/artists-of-the-decade?year=2009|archive-date=September 13, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> Jay-Z was the first rapper to be inducted into the [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/22/arts/music/jay-z-songwriters-hall-of-fame.html|title=Jay Z to Be the First Rapper in the Songwriters Hall of Fame|newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 22, 2017 |access-date=September 20, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920165902/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/22/arts/music/jay-z-songwriters-hall-of-fame.html|archive-date=September 20, 2018|url-status=live|last1=Coscarelli |first1=Joe }}</ref> and the first solo living rapper inducted in the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' named him one of the [[Time 100|100 most influential people in the world]] in 2013.<ref name=":3">{{Cite magazine |last=Bloomberg |first=Michael |author-link=Michael Bloomberg |date=April 18, 2013 |title=Jay Z: The World's 100 Most Influential People |language=en-US |magazine=Time |url=https://time100.time.com/2013/04/18/time-100/ |access-date=February 27, 2022 |issn=0040-781X |archive-date=February 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227230911/https://time100.time.com/2013/04/18/time-100/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Shawn Corey Carter was born on December 4, 1969, in [[Brooklyn]], New York City.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/jay-z-507696|title=Jay Z|work=The Biography Channel|access-date=November 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115113820/http://www.biography.com/people/jay-z-507696|archive-date=November 15, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> He was raised in [[Marcy Houses]], a public housing project in Brooklyn's [[Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn|Bedford–Stuyvesant]] neighborhood.<ref name="allmusicbio">Birchmeier, Jason. [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p195154|pure_url=yes}} Jay-Z Biography]. AllMusic. Retrieved August 24, 2007.</ref> His father, Adnis Reeves,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Abrams|first1=Dennis|last2=D|first2=Chuck|title=Jay-Z|date=2009|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=9781438103464|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=peyTxxkr4dkC&q=Adnis+Reeves&pg=PA100}}</ref> abandoned the family when Jay-Z was 11 years old, and Jay-Z and his three older siblings were raised by their mother, Gloria Carter. Reeves later met and reconciled with Jay-Z prior to his death in 2003. Jay-Z claims in his lyrics to "You Must Love Me", the closing track on his 1997 album ''In My Lifetime, Vol. 1'', that in 1982, at age 12, he shot his older brother Eric in the shoulder for stealing his jewelry.<ref name="CBSnews">{{cite news|date=November 18, 2002|title=The King of Rap|publisher=[[CBS News]]|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-king-of-rap/|url-status=live|access-date=January 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006024951/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/11/18/60ii/main529811.shtml|archive-date=October 6, 2013}}</ref><ref name="aboutjayz">Adaso, Henry. [http://rap.about.com/od/artists/p/JayZ.htm How Well Do You Know Jay-Z?] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114831/http://rap.about.com/od/artists/p/JayZ.htm |date=March 4, 2016 }} About.com. Retrieved August 24, 2007.</ref>

He attended Eli Whitney High School and [[George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School]], both in Brooklyn, and then [[Trenton Central High School]] in [[Trenton, New Jersey]]. He did not graduate, dropping out during his sophomore year at Trenton Central High School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.celebritywonder.com/html/jay-z.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020521204003/http://celebritywonder.com/html/jay-z.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 21, 2002|title=Jay-Z Picture, Profile, Gossip, and News at|publisher=Celebritywonder.com|access-date=July 31, 2011}}</ref> According to his interviews and lyrics, he sold [[crack cocaine]]<ref name="aboutjayz"/> and was shot at three times during this period.<ref name=CBSnews/> His former friend was sentenced to prison for possessing drugs and weapons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marie |first=Erika |date=November 28, 2019 |title=Jay Z's Former Friend DeHaven Talks Rapper Calling Him A Snitch On "No Hook" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/271536-jay-zs-former-friend-dehaven-talks-rapper-calling-him-a-snitch-on-no-hook-news |access-date=February 7, 2023 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en-US |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207194413/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/271536-jay-zs-former-friend-dehaven-talks-rapper-calling-him-a-snitch-on-no-hook-news |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=EXCLUSIVE: DeHaven on Jay Z Dissing Him on 'No Hook': "F**** DeHaven for Caving" |url=https://www.vladtv.com/article/259125/dehaven-on-jay-z-dissing-him-on-no-hook-f-dehaven-for-caving |access-date=February 7, 2023 |website=www.vladtv.com |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207194418/https://www.vladtv.com/article/259125/dehaven-on-jay-z-dissing-him-on-no-hook-f-dehaven-for-caving |url-status=live }}</ref> Known as "Jazzy" around the neighborhood, he later adopted the stage name "Jay-Z" in homage to his mentor [[Jaz-O]].<ref name="allmusicbio" /><ref name="hyphen">{{cite web|last1=Yoo|first1=Noah|title=JAY-Z's Name: The Hyphen Is Back, And Now It's in All Caps {{!}} Pitchfork|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/jay-zs-name-the-hyphen-is-back-and-now-its-in-all-caps|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=June 19, 2017|access-date=June 19, 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620130231/http://pitchfork.com/news/jay-zs-name-the-hyphen-is-back-and-now-its-in-all-caps/|archive-date=June 20, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Career==
===1986–1995: Early career and recordings===
Jay-Z can be briefly heard on several of Jaz-O's early recordings in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including "[[H. P. Gets Busy]]", "The Originators" and "Hawaiian Sophie".<ref name="EdwardsRap14">{{harvnb|Edwards|2009|p=14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jay-z-mn0000224257|title=Jay-Z Biography|last=Birchmeier|first=Jason|website=allmusic.com|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=January 12, 2019|quote=After debuting in the late '90s with Reasonable Doubt and In My Lifetime, Vol 1, he began a chart run that notched over a dozen number one albums spread over two decades, including the multiplatinum, Grammy-winning Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life (1999), the Blueprint series ('01, '02, '09), and The Black Album (2003).|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115041546/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jay-z-mn0000224257|archive-date=January 15, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Jaz-O's record label came up with the idea to create an album with a concept reminiscent of [[DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince]], featuring Jaz-O as the rapper, Jay-Z as the [[hype man]], and [[Irv Gotti]] as the DJ. While working on the album ''[[Word to the Jaz]]'' in London in 1988, Jay-Z and Gotti began to build their relationship on the trip.<ref name="m750">{{cite web | title='Drink Champs': Irv Gotti says trying to sign Nas is "one of the biggest regrets of my life" | website=REVOLT | date=2017-11-08 | url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2017-11-08/34513/drink-champs-irv-gotti-says-trying-to-sign-nas-is-one-of-the-biggest-regrets-of-my-life | access-date=2025-02-20}}</ref><ref name="a513">{{cite web | last=Elibert | first=Mark | title=JAY-Z Explains How Irv Gotti Got His Name | website=HipHopDX | date=2022-08-15 | url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.72595/title.jay-z-irv-gotti-nickname | access-date=2025-02-20}}</ref><ref name="y078">{{cite web | last=Bristout | first=Ralph | title=Jay Z's "Drug Dealers Anonymous": Revisiting The '89 Trip To London | website=REVOLT | date=2016-06-01 | url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2016-06-01/15929/jay-zs-drug-dealers-anonymous-revisiting-the-89-trip-to-london | access-date=2025-02-20}}</ref><ref name="y360">{{cite web | last=Rys | first=Dan | title=Irv Gotti Explains How Jay Z, DMX and Ja Rule Got Their Record Deals | website=XXL Mag | date=2015-08-27 | url=https://www.xxlmag.com/irv-gotti-jay-z-dmx-ja-rule/ | access-date=2025-02-20}}</ref><ref name="r035">{{cite web | last=Brown | first=Preezy | title=9 gems from Irv Gotti's "Drink Champs" episode | website=REVOLT | date=2019-12-02 | url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2019-12-02/83649/9-gems-from-irv-gottis-drink-champs-episode | access-date=2025-02-27}}</ref> Jay-Z became embroiled in several battles with rapper [[LL Cool J]] in the early 1990s.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.9141|title=Industry Insider Reveals "Secret War" Between LL Cool J and Jay-Z|date=May 15, 2009|first=Salima|last=Koroma|access-date=October 9, 2009|publisher=HipHopDX|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203072753/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.9141|archive-date=February 3, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> He first became known to a wide audience on the [[posse cut]] "Show and Prove" on the 1994 [[Big Daddy Kane]] album ''[[Daddy's Home (Big Daddy Kane album)|Daddy's Home]].'' Jay-Z has been referred to as Big Daddy Kane's [[hype man]] during this period,<ref name="EdwardsRap316">{{harvnb|Edwards|2009|p=316}}</ref> although Kane explains that he did not fill the traditional hype man role, and was instead basically making cameo appearances on stage. "When I would leave the stage to go change outfits, I would bring out Jay-Z and [[Positive K]] and let them freestyle until I came back to the stage."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unkut.com/2007/09/big-daddy-kane-the-unkut-interview/|title=Big Daddy Kane – The Unkut Interview &#124; unkut.com – A Tribute To Ignorance (Remix)|date=September 7, 2007 |publisher=unkut.com|access-date=June 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018081340/http://www.unkut.com/2007/09/big-daddy-kane-the-unkut-interview/|archive-date=October 18, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=131&csid2=946&fid1=37423|title=Exclaim! Canada's Music Authority|publisher=Exclaim.ca|access-date=June 25, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091101180050/http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid2=946&fid1=37423&csid1=131|archive-date=November 1, 2009}}</ref>

According to his second verse on "[[99 Problems]]", released in 2003, Jay-Z was allegedly stopped by an NYPD detective in 1994 while en route to [[Interstate 95|I-95]], possibly for a search of drugs in his car. [[Detection dogs]] were called, but another police car had passed; Jay-Z was let go soon after.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Brief Look at Jay-Z's "99 Problems" – Texas Style |url=https://www.srtlaw.com/criminal-defense-blog/2012/october/a-brief-look-at-jay-zs-99-problems-texas-style/ |access-date=February 7, 2023 |website=The Law Office of Samuel R. Terry, P.C. |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207194416/https://www.srtlaw.com/criminal-defense-blog/2012/october/a-brief-look-at-jay-zs-99-problems-texas-style/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Jay-Z appeared on a popular song by [[Big L]], "Da Graveyard", and on [[Mic Geronimo]]'s "Time to Build", which also featured early appearances by his former [[Murder Inc. (rap group)|Murder Inc.]] colleagues [[Ja Rule]] and [[DMX]] in 1995. His first official rap single was "[[In My Lifetime (song)|In My Lifetime]]", which was released with an accompanying music video in 1995. An unreleased music video was also produced for the B-side "I Can't Get with That".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu4UG8uLHZ8|title=I Can't Get With That Music Video|publisher=[[YouTube]]|date=November 22, 2006|access-date=September 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805090814/http://www.youtube.com//watch?v=pu4UG8uLHZ8|archive-date=August 5, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

===1995–2000: ''Reasonable Doubt'', ''In My Lifetime, Vol. 1'', ''Vol. 2...'', ''Vol. 3...'', and ''The Dynasty''===
With no major label to give him a record deal, Jay-Z sold [[CD-R|burned CDs]] out of his car,<ref name=CBSnews/> and with [[Damon Dash|Damon "Dame" Dash]] and [[Kareem Burke|Kareem "Biggs" Burke]], created [[Roc-A-Fella Records]] as an independent label in 1995. After striking a distribution deal with [[Priority Records|Priority]], Jay-Z released his 1996 debut album ''[[Reasonable Doubt (album)|Reasonable Doubt]]'' with [[Hip hop production|beats]] from acclaimed producers such as [[DJ Premier]] and [[DJ Clark Kent|Super DJ Clark Kent]] and an appearance by [[The Notorious B.I.G.]] The album reached number 23 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and went gold that year.<ref name="allmusicbio"/> After reaching a new label distribution deal with [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]] in 1997, Jay-Z released his follow-up ''[[In My Lifetime, Vol. 1]].'' Featuring production by [[Sean Combs]], DJ Premier, and [[Ski Beatz|Ski]], it earned platinum status in the United States.<ref name="riaacertification">{{cite web |title=RIAA – Gold & Platinum |url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=JAY-Z&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=100 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130814181910/http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=JAY-Z&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=100 |archive-date=August 14, 2013 |access-date=August 22, 2009 |publisher=RIAA}}</ref>

In 1998, Jay-Z released ''[[Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life]]'' which spawned the biggest hit of his career at the time, "[[Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)]]". He relied more on [[Flow (rapping)|flow]] and wordplay, and he continued with his penchant for mining beats from the popular producers of the day such as [[Swizz Beatz]], an upstart in-house producer for [[Ruff Ryders]], and [[Timbaland]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://live.wtmx.com/listen/artist/f82bcf78-5b69-4622-a5ef-73800768d9ac?slide=12|title=101.9 THE MIX LIVE Stream {{!}} Chicago|website=101.9 THE MIX LIVE Stream {{!}} Chicago|language=en-US|access-date=March 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306042937/https://live.wtmx.com/listen/artist/f82bcf78-5b69-4622-a5ef-73800768d9ac?slide=12|archive-date=March 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Other producers included [[DJ Premier]], [[Erick Sermon]], [[The 45 King]], and [[Kid Capri]]. Charting hits from this album included "[[Can I Get A...]]", featuring [[Ja Rule]] and [[Amil (rapper)|Amil]], and "[[Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)|Nigga What, Nigga Who]]", featuring Amil and [[Jaz-O]]. ''Vol. 2'' would eventually become Jay-Z's most commercially successful album; it was certified 5× Platinum in the United States and has to date sold over five million copies.<ref name="riaacertification"/> The album went on to win a Grammy Award, although Jay-Z boycotted the ceremony protesting DMX's failure to garner a Grammy nomination and the academy's decision to not broadcast urban music categories.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1452653/20020227/jay_z.jhtml|title=Where's The Love? Jay-Z Disses Grammys Again|access-date=May 21, 2024|date=February 27, 2002|first=Shaheem|last=Reid|publisher=MTV News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030831065206/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1452653/20020227/jay_z.jhtml|archive-date=August 31, 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref> 
In 1999, Jay-Z collaborated with [[Mariah Carey]] on "[[Heartbreaker (Mariah Carey song)|Heartbreaker]]", a song from her seventh album, ''[[Rainbow (Mariah Carey album)|Rainbow]]''. The song became Jay-Z's first chart-topper in the U.S., spending two weeks atop the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Jay-Z Chart History – Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/jay-z/chart-history/hsi/|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=July 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709062005/https://www.billboard.com/music/jay-z/chart-history/hot-100|archive-date=July 9, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In that same year, Jay-Z released ''[[Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter]]''. The album proved successful and sold over 3&nbsp;million copies.<ref name="riaacertification"/> ''Vol. 3''{{'}}s most successful single was "[[Big Pimpin']]", featuring [[UGK]].

In 2000, Jay-Z released ''[[The Dynasty: Roc La Familia]]'', which was originally intended to become a compilation album for Roc-A-Fella artists but Def Jam turned into a Jay-Z album.<ref>{{cite news|first=Steve|last=Jones|title=Jay-Z's rap dominates|newspaper=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company, Inc.|date=November 7, 2000}}</ref> The album helped to introduce newcomer producers [[The Neptunes]], [[Just Blaze]], [[Kanye West]], and [[Bink (producer)|Bink]], which have all gone on to achieve notable success. This is also the first album where Jay-Z utilizes a more soulful sound than his previous albums. ''The Dynasty'' sold over two million units in the U.S. alone.<ref name="riaacertification"/>

===2001–2002: Feud with Nas, Prodigy, ''The Blueprint'' and ''The Blueprint<sup>2</sup>''===
In 2001, Jay-Z spoke out against [[Prodigy (rapper)|Prodigy]] after he took an issue with Jay-Z's "[[Money, Cash, Hoes]]." Prodigy felt that the lyrics alluded disparagingly to his shared dispute with Mobb Deep against [[Tupac Shakur]], [[Snoop Dogg]], and [[Death Row Records]]. He later performed the song "[[Takeover (Jay-Z song)|Takeover]]", at [[Summer Jam (festival)|Summer Jam]] 2001, a [[Diss (music)|diss-track]] about Nas, Prodigy, and Mobb Deep. At the same concert, Jay-Z brought Michael Jackson up on stage with him.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Uitti |first=Jacob |date=2022-04-13 |title=Watch Lost Footage of Jay-Z with Michael Jackson from 2001 Concert |url=https://americansongwriter.com/watch-lost-footage-of-jay-z-with-michael-jackson-from-2001-concert/ |access-date=2025-07-20 |website=American Songwriter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Prodigy Says He Almost Fought Jay-Z Following Summer Jam |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.14885/title.prodigy-says-he-almost-fought-jay-z-following-summer-jam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430223839/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.14885/title.prodigy-says-he-almost-fought-jay-z-following-summer-jam |archive-date=2019-04-30 |access-date=2025-07-20 |work=HipHopDX |language=en-US}}</ref> A line at the end of "Takeover" referred to [[Nas]], who criticized him on "We Will Survive".<ref>{{cite web|first=Selwyn Seyfu|last=Hinds|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0203,hinds,31529,22.html|title=Kings of New York|work=[[The Village Voice]]|date=January 15, 2002|access-date=May 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303172100/http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0203,hinds,31529,22.html|archive-date=March 3, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> Nas responded with a diss of his own, and Jay-Z straightaway added a verse to "Takeover" which dissed Nas and would start a feud between the two rappers. The feud had ended by 2005; Jay-Z stated that record producer [[Mark Pitts]] had helped them settle their differences.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/xxl-magazine/2008/02/the-7-biggest-moment-jay-z-nas-squash-beef/ |title=The #7 Biggest Moment: Jay-Z & Nas Squash Beef |date=February 6, 2008 |website=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL Magazine]] |access-date=June 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619085929/http://www.xxlmag.com/xxl-magazine/2008/02/the-7-biggest-moment-jay-z-nas-squash-beef/ |archive-date=June 19, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On September 11, 2001, Jay-Z released his sixth studio album, ''[[The Blueprint]]'', which received a [[The Source (magazine)|five-mic review]] from hip-hop magazine ''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]].'' Written in just two days,<ref>Recounted by Jay-Z on the documentary ''[[Collision Course (EP)|Collision Course]]'' . ''Collision Course''. Jay-Z and Linkin Park. Roc-A-Fella/Warner Bros./Machine Shop Recordings. 2004.</ref> the album sold more than 427,000 copies, debuted at number one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/78363/jay-z-draws-blueprint-for-chart-dominance|title=Jay-Z Draws 'Blueprint' For Chart Dominance|last=Martens|first=Todd|date=September 20, 2001|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=May 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011108164856/http://www.billboard.com/billboard/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1058742|archive-date=November 8, 2001|url-status=dead}}</ref> and reached double platinum certification by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]].<ref name="riaacertification"/> [[Eminem]] guest performed and produced its song, "[[Renegade (Jay-Z song)|Renegade]]". Four tracks were produced by [[Kanye West]]. ''The Blueprint'' includes the songs "[[Izzo (H.O.V.A.)]]", "[[Girls, Girls, Girls (Jay-Z song)|Girls, Girls, Girls]]", "[[Jigga That Nigga]]", and "[[Song Cry]]". {{as of|2012|February}}, the album had sold 2.7&nbsp;million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |last=Grein |first=Paul |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-feb-26-2012-albums-half-top-160050213.html |title=Week Ending Feb. 26, 2012. Albums: Half of the Top 10 &#124; Chart Watch (NEW) – Yahoo Music |publisher=Music.yahoo.com |date=February 29, 2012 |access-date=April 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018031610/https://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-feb-26-2012-albums-half-top-160050213.html |archive-date=October 18, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2019, ''The Blueprint'' was selected by the [[Library of Congress]] for preservation in the [[National Recording Registry]] for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".<ref>{{cite news |last=Andrews |first=Travis M. |date=March 20, 2019 |title=Jay-Z, a speech by Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and 'Schoolhouse Rock!' among recordings deemed classics by Library of Congress |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/jay-z-a-speech-by-sen-robert-f-kennedy-and-schoolhouse-rock-among-recordings-deemed-classics-by-library-of-congress/2019/03/19/f7eb08ea-4a58-11e9-9663-00ac73f49662_story.html? |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=March 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406000403/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/jay-z-a-speech-by-sen-robert-f-kennedy-and-schoolhouse-rock-among-recordings-deemed-classics-by-library-of-congress/2019/03/19/f7eb08ea-4a58-11e9-9663-00ac73f49662_story.html |archive-date=April 6, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In October 2001, Jay-Z pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for stabbing record producer [[Lance Rivera]] at the Kit Kat Klub in New York City in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|last=D'Angelo|first=Joe|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1450090/jay-z-pleads-guilty-to-stabbing-faces-three-years-probation/|title=Jay-Z Pleads Guilty To Stabbing, Faces Three Years' Probation|date=October 17, 2001|publisher=MTV News|access-date=May 17, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20011025185842/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1450090/20011017/story.jhtml|archivedate=October 25, 2001|url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite Jay-Z's sentence of three years probation for the crime, Rivera later recanted the allegations in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1451340/jay-z-gets-three-years-probation-for-un-rivera-stabbing/ |title=Jay-Z Gets Three Years' Probation For 'Un' Rivera Stabbing |last=D'Angelo |first=Joe |date=December 6, 2001 |publisher=MTV News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011208115515/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1451340/20011206/jay_z.jhtml |archive-date=December 8, 2001 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 17, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Preezy |date=May 22, 2023 |title=Lance "Un" Rivera Confirms Jay-Z Didn't Stab Him During 1999 Club Incident |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/lance-un-rivera-jay-z-stab-club-incident-1234758615/ |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=VIBE.com |language=en-US |archive-date=February 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240218145411/https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/lance-un-rivera-jay-z-stab-club-incident-1234758615/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Jay-Z then collaborated with Chicago singer [[R. Kelly]] to release collaborative studio album, ''[[The Best of Both Worlds (Jay-Z and R. Kelly album)|The Best of Both Worlds]]'' in March 2002. In November of that year, Jay-Z released his seventh studio album ''[[The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse|The Blueprint<sup>2</sup>: The Gift & The Curse]]''—a double album. The album debuted on the ''Billboard'' 200 at number one, selling over 3&nbsp;million units solely in the U.S.<ref name="riaacertification"/> and surpassing ''The Blueprint''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/73389/jay-z-scores-5th-chart-topper-with-blueprint|title=Jay-Z Scores 5th Chart-Topper With 'Blueprint'|last=Martens|first=Todd|date=November 20, 2002|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=May 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021122183245/http://billboard.com/billboard/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1765966|archive-date=November 22, 2002|url-status=dead}}</ref> It yielded a single-disc re-issue, ''[[The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse#Blueprint 2.1|The Blueprint 2.1]]'', which retained half of the songs from the original. Its original release spawned two hit singles, "[[Excuse Me Miss]]" and "[['03 Bonnie & Clyde]]", which features Jay-Z's then-girlfriend, [[Beyoncé]], and contained the track "A Dream", featuring [[Faith Evans]] and the late [[the Notorious B.I.G.|Notorious B.I.G.]]; the re-issue spawned the single "[[La-La-La (Jay-Z song)|La-La-La]]", which was a sequel to "Excuse Me Miss" and failed to match its commercial success.

===2003–2005: ''The Black Album'' and initial retirement===
[[File:Jay-Z-02-mika.jpg|thumb|Jay-Z in 2003]]
After visiting the south of France,<ref name="retirement">{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1456354/20020730/story.jhtml|title=Jay-Z Returns From European Vacation, Ready To Hit Studio|date=July 30, 2002|first=Saheem|last=Reid|access-date=May 21, 2024|publisher=MTV News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020804000942/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1456354/20020730/story.jhtml|archive-date=August 4, 2002|url-status=dead}}</ref> Jay-Z announced work on his eighth studio album, ''[[The Black Album (Jay-Z album)|The Black Album]]'' at the opening of the 40/40 Club.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1473274/20030625/jay_z.jhtml|title=Jay-Z Taking It 'Way Back to the Roots' On New Album|date=June 25, 2003|first=Shaeem|last=Reid|access-date=May 21, 2024|publisher=MTV News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030627173653/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1473274/20030625/jay_z.jhtml|archive-date=June 27, 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref> He worked with several producers including [[Just Blaze]], [[The Neptunes]], [[Kanye West]], [[Timbaland]], [[Eminem]], [[DJ Quik]], [[9th Wonder]], [[The Buchanans (production team)|The Buchanans]], and [[Rick Rubin]]. Notable songs on the album included "[[What More Can I Say]]", "[[Dirt off Your Shoulder]]", "[[Change Clothes]]", and "[[99 Problems]]". ''The Black Album'' has sold over 3&nbsp;million copies in the U.S.<ref name="riaacertification"/>

On November 25, 2003, Jay-Z held a concert—billed as a "retirement party" at [[Madison Square Garden]] in [[New York City]], which was later the focus of his 2004 documentary, ''[[Fade to Black (documentary)|Fade to Black]]''. All proceeds went to charity. Other performers included collaborators [[the Roots]] (in the form of his backing band), [[Missy Elliott]], [[Memphis Bleek]], [[Beanie Siegel]], Freeway, [[Mary J. Blige]], Beyoncé, [[Twista]], [[Ghostface Killah]], [[Foxy Brown (rapper)|Foxy Brown]], [[Pharrell Williams]] and R. Kelly, with appearances by Voletta Wallace and [[Afeni Shakur]], the mothers of [[the Notorious B.I.G.]] and [[Tupac Shakur]], respectively.<ref name="retireparty">{{cite magazine|last1=Hoard|first1=Christian|title=Jay-Z Rocks the Garden|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jay-z-rocks-the-garden-20031126|access-date=June 28, 2017|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=November 26, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710224814/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jay-z-rocks-the-garden-20031126|archive-date=July 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> While Jay-Z had attested to a retirement from making new studio albums, various side projects and appearances soon followed. Included in these were a greatest hits record, as well as the release and tour of ''[[Unfinished Business (Jay-Z and R. Kelly album)|Unfinished Business]]'', the second collaborative album between Jay-Z and R. Kelly.

In 2004, Jay-Z collaborated with rock group [[Linkin Park]], in which they released their collaborative [[Remix album|remix]] [[Extended play|EP]] ''[[Collision Course (EP)|Collision Course]]'', which featured [[Mashup (music)|mashups]] of both artists' songs, as well as a concert DVD. The album's only single, "[[Numb/Encore]]", went on to win a [[Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration]], and was performed with Linkin Park live at the Grammys, with a special appearance by [[Paul McCartney]], who added verses from the song "[[Yesterday (Beatles song)|Yesterday]]". The EP sold over 1&nbsp;million copies in the U.S.<ref name="riaacertification"/> Jay-Z was the executive producer of ''[[The Rising Tied]]'', the debut album of [[Fort Minor]], the hip hop [[side project]] of Linkin Park rapper [[Mike Shinoda]]. Jay-Z also planned to retire in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://watchloud.com/2015/01/02/15-years-later-jay-z-changed-direction-vol-3-life-times-s-carter/|title=Jay Z retires in 2004|last=Fairfax|first=Jesse|date=October 11, 2016|access-date=October 11, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012080011/http://watchloud.com/2015/01/02/15-years-later-jay-z-changed-direction-vol-3-life-times-s-carter/|archive-date=October 12, 2016}}</ref>

Later in 2004, Jay-Z was named president of Def Jam Records, which led to Jay-Z, Dash and Biggs selling their remaining interests in Roc-A-Fella Records and Jay-Z taking control of both of the companies.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1494616/20041208/jay_z.jhtml|title=Jay-Z, Dame Dash Sell Roc-A-Fella Records; Jay Named Def Jam Prez|access-date=May 21, 2024|date=December 8, 2004|last=Hall|first=Rashaun|publisher=MTV News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041211214320/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1494616/20041208/jay_z.jhtml|archive-date=December 11, 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref> This major industry move was reportedly prompted by disagreements between Jay-Z and Dash as to what direction Roc-A-Fella could undertake.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nymag.com/news/profiles/17268/|title=Why Former Roc-A-Fella Records Partner Damon Dash Hates Mondays|access-date=August 15, 2009|date=June 12, 2006|last=Konigsberg|first=Eric|publisher=New York Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202102842/http://nymag.com/news/profiles/17268/|archive-date=February 2, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2005–2007: ''Kingdom Come'' and ''American Gangster''===
[[File:Jay-Z concert (cropped).jpg|thumb|Jay-Z performing in 2006]]
On October 27, 2005, Jay-Z headlined New York's [[Power 105.1]] annual concert, Powerhouse. The concert's title, "I Declare War," led to intense speculation in the preceding weeks on whom exactly Jay-Z would declare war. As he had previously "declared war" on other artists taking lyrical shots at him at other events, many believed that the concert's title represented an all-out assault by Jay-Z upon his rivals.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1509668/09152005/jay_z.jhtml|title='I Declare War!' Jay-Z Says He's Going To Air Some Rappers Out Onstage|access-date=May 21, 2024|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=September 15, 2005|publisher=MTV News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070415231154/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1509668/09152005/jay_z.jhtml|archive-date=April 15, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) |first=Grouchy Greg |date=2005-09-16 |title=Jay-Z Declares War |url=https://allhiphop.com/news/jay-z-declares-war/ |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=AllHipHop |language=en-US}}</ref> The theme of the concert was Jay-Z's position as president and CEO of [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]], complete with an on-stage mock-up of the [[Oval Office]]. Many artists made appearances such as the old roster of [[Roc-A-Fella]] records artists, as well as [[Ne-Yo]], [[Teairra Marí]], [[T.I.]], [[Young Jeezy]], [[Akon]], [[Kanye West]], [[Paul Wall]], [[the LOX]], and [[Sean Combs]].<ref name="allhiphop">{{cite news|url=http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2005/10/27/18130470.aspx |title=Hip-Hop Harmony: Jay-Z And Nas Officially Dead Beef |first1=Seandra |last1=Sims |first2=Houston |last2=Williams |publisher=AllHipHop.com |date=October 27, 2005 |access-date=August 6, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731112956/http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2005/10/27/18130470.aspx |archive-date=July 31, 2009 }}</ref>

At the conclusion of the concert, Jay-Z put many arguments to rest to the surprise of hip hop fans. The most significant development in this show was closure to the infamous hip hop rivalry between Jay-Z and [[Nas]]. The two former rivals shook hands and shared the stage together to perform Jay-Z's "Dead Presidents" blended with Nas's song "The World is Yours".<ref name=mtvnews2>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1512432/20051028/jay_z.jhtml|title=Jay-Z And Nas Put Beef To Sleep in Onstage Show of Unity|access-date=May 21, 2024|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=October 28, 2005|publisher=MTV News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070401050322/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1512432/20051028/jay_z.jhtml|archive-date=April 1, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Jay-Z returned with his comeback album on November 21, 2006, titled ''[[Kingdom Come (Jay-Z album)|Kingdom Come]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mp3.com/news/stories/6293.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070929083146/http://www.mp3.com/news/stories/6293.html|url-status=dead|archive-date= September 29, 2007|title=Jay-Z preps ''Kingdom Come''|access-date=September 13, 2006|last=Welte|first=Jim|date=September 13, 2006|publisher=MP3.com}}</ref> Jay-Z's comeback single, "[[Show Me What You Got]]", was leaked on the Internet in early October 2006. The album, which was scheduled for release later on that month, received heavy air-play after its leak, causing the [[FBI]] to step in and investigate.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pr-inside.com/legal-action-to-be-taken-over-jay-z-single-leak-r21513.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071007230649/http://www.pr-inside.com/legal-action-to-be-taken-over-jay-z-single-leak-r21513.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date= October 7, 2007|title=Legal Action to be Taken over Jay-Z Single Leak?|access-date=September 13, 2006|date=October 9, 2006|publisher=World Entertainment News}}</ref> Jay-Z worked with video director [[Hype Williams]], and the single's video was directed by [[F. Gary Gray]]. The album features production from [[Just Blaze]], [[Pharrell]], [[Kanye West]], [[Dr. Dre]] and [[Coldplay]]'s [[Chris Martin]] (single entitled "[[Kingdom Come (Jay-Z album)|Beach Chair]]").<ref name="sfgate">{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=7&entry_id=8934|title=Jay-Z Ends His Retirement With Star-Studded Comeback Album|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|date=September 15, 2006|access-date=September 16, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070323023620/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=7&entry_id=8934|archive-date=March 23, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="mtvnews">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1540898/20060914/jay_z.jhtml?headlines=true|title=Jay-Z's 'Retirement' Is Finally Over: New Album Due In November|publisher=[[MTV News]]|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=September 14, 2006|access-date=May 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070608181053/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1540898/20060914/jay_z.jhtml|archive-date=June 8, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The first week saw 680,000 sales of the CD, enough to be his "biggest sales week ever" as ''Billboard'' reported.<ref name="billboardkingdom">{{cite magazine|last=Hasty|first=Katie|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/jay-z-reclaims-his-kingdom-with-no-1-debut-56552/|title=Jay-Z Reclaims His 'Kingdom' With No. 1 Debut |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061204072424/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003465594 |archive-date=December 4, 2006 |magazine=Billboard|date=November 29, 2006|accessdate=May 21, 2024|url-status=dead}}</ref> This album has sold 2&nbsp;million copies in the U.S. and is certified double platinum.<ref name="riaacertification"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gold & Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/ |access-date=2025-07-20 |website=RIAA |language=en-US}}</ref>

Jay-Z released his tenth album entitled ''[[American Gangster (album)|American Gangster]]'' on November 6, 2007. After viewing the Ridley Scott [[American Gangster (film)|film of the same name]], Jay-Z was heavily inspired to create a new "concept" album that depicts his experiences as a street-hustler.<ref name="newyorktimes">{{cite news|url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/arts/music/20jayz.html|title=For Jay-Z, Inspiration Arrives in a Movie|access-date=May 21, 2024|first1=David M.|last1=Halbfinger|first2=Jeff|last2=Leed|date=September 20, 2007|work=[[The New York Times]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207172627/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/arts/music/20jayz.html|archive-date=February 7, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
The album is not the film's official soundtrack, although it was distributed by [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]].<ref name="hiphopdx">{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.5728/title.jay-z-to-release-american-gangster|title=Jay-Z to Release 'American Gangster'|access-date=September 20, 2007|author=Shake|date=September 20, 2007|publisher=HipHopDX|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212064021/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.5728/title.jay-z-to-release-american-gangster|archive-date=December 12, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Jay-Z's ''American Gangster'' depicts his life in correlation to the movie ''American Gangster''. At the start of the album's first single, "[[Blue Magic (song)|Blue Magic]]", Jay-Z offers a dealer's manifesto while making references to political figures of the late 1980s with the lyric: "Blame [[Ronald Reagan|Reagan]] for making me to into a monster, blame [[Oliver North]] and [[Iran-Contra]], I ran contraband that they sponsored, before this rhymin' stuff we was in concert."<ref>{{cite web|last=Biddle|first=Sam|url=http://www.jhunewsletter.com/2007/11/14/new-vibrations-american-gangster-jay-z-37973/|title=New Vibrations – American Gangster|publisher=The Johns Hopkins News-letter|date=November 15, 2007|access-date=February 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729111717/http://www.jhunewsletter.com/2007/11/14/new-vibrations-american-gangster-jay-z-37973/|archive-date=July 29, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Also notable about the "Blue Magic" music video was Jay-Z flashing €500 notes; [[Harvard Business School]] professor [[Rawi Abdelal]] called this a "turning point in American pop culture's response to globalization." The album has sold 1&nbsp;million copies in the U.S.<ref name="riaacertification"/> On January 1, 2008, Jay-Z resigned as president of Def Jam.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2007/12/24/19046792.aspx |title=BREAKING NEWS: Jay-Z Leaves Def Jam |publisher=AllHipHop.com |date=December 24, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816220858/http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2007/12/24/19046792.aspx |archive-date=August 16, 2011 }}</ref>

===2008–2011: ''The Blueprint 3'' and ''Watch the Throne''===
[[File:Jay-Z 3.jpg|thumb|Jay-Z performing in 2008]]
In winter 2008, it was announced that Jay-Z would become the first major hip hop artist to headline Britain's [[Glastonbury Festival 2008|Glastonbury Festival]].<ref name="glastonbury">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7223232.stm|title=Jay-Z confirmed for Glastonbury|access-date=February 1, 2008|date=February 1, 2008|work=BBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080206150119/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7223232.stm|archive-date=February 6, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/glastonbury/34049 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080204153559/http://www.nme.com/news/glastonbury/34049 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 4, 2008|title=Jay-Z confirmed to headline Glastonbury 2008|work=[[NME]]|access-date=September 4, 2010}}</ref> Tickets sold out quickly. Former headliner [[Noel Gallagher]] of [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]] condemned the festival organizers for choosing Jay-Z to headline a traditionally guitar-driven festival. "I'm sorry, but Jay-Z?" Gallagher asked, swearing. "No chance. Glastonbury has a tradition of, kind of, guitar music, do you know what I mean? And even when they throw the odd curve balls in on a Sunday night—you go, 'Kylie Minogue? I don't know about that', do you know what I mean?—but I'm not having hip hop at Glastonbury, no way, no, no. It's wrong."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7345780.stm|title=Hip-hop "wrong" for Glastonbury|work=BBC News|date=April 12, 2008|access-date=May 7, 2008|first=Colin|last=Paterson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420055242/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7345780.stm|archive-date=April 20, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> As controversy mounted, Jay-Z replied, "We don't play guitars, Noel, but hip hop has put in its work like any other form of music. This headline show is just a natural progression. Rap music is still evolving. We have to respect each other's genre of music and move forward."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtvmusic.com/story.asp?id=ENTEN20080049721|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905210802/http://www.ndtvmusic.com/story.asp?id=ENTEN20080049721|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 5, 2012|title=Noel Gallagher is narrow minded: Jay-Z|publisher=NDTVmusic.com|date=May 13, 2008|access-date=May 13, 2008}}</ref> Jay-Z opened his Glastonbury set with a tongue-in-cheek cover of Oasis's iconic song "[[Wonderwall (song)|Wonderwall]]",<ref name="glastonbury3">{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/latest/2008/06/29/jay-z-s-glastonbury-wonderwall-dig-at-noel-gallagher-98487-20625795/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080812040043/http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/latest/2008/06/29/jay-z-s-glastonbury-wonderwall-dig-at-noel-gallagher-98487-20625795/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 12, 2008|title=Jay-Z's Glastonbury Wonderwall dig at Noel Gallagher|date=June 29, 2008|publisher=Sunday Mirror}}</ref> and went on to deliver a performance heralded as a successful response to pre-festival criticism.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hxVV-7FKB6uR5m8-tlLVFPsBUoQw |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080702223720/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hxVV-7FKB6uR5m8-tlLVFPsBUoQw |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 2, 2008|title=Jay-Z answers critics in Glastonbury performance|agency=AFP|date=June 29, 2008|access-date=September 4, 2010}}</ref> The guitar used in this performance was later shown at the Book of HOV exhibit in the Brooklyn Library.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=2024-12-03 |title=Jay-Z's 'Book of HOV' Exhibit Is Now an Actual Book |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jay-z-book-of-hov-exhibit-book-1235190811/ |access-date=2025-09-06 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Association |first=Press |date=2008-07-03 |title=Jay-Z enjoys post-Glastonbury sales festival |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jul/03/glastonbury.news |access-date=2025-09-06 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Broerman |first=Michael |date=2024-06-28 |title=Jay-Z Disses Noel Gallagher By Covering "Wonderwall" At Glastonbury, On This Day In 2008 [Videos] |url=https://liveforlivemusic.com/features/jay-z-noel-gallagher-wonderwall-glastonbury-2008/ |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=L4LM |language=en-US}}</ref>

He also headlined many other summer festivals in 2008, including [[Roskilde Festival]] in Denmark,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roskilde-festival.dk|title=Roskilde Festival: Forside|publisher=Roskilde-festival.dk|date=August 20, 2010|access-date=September 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901131544/http://www.roskilde-festival.dk/|archive-date=September 1, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Hove Festival]] in Norway<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hovefestival.com/Default.aspx?articleID=790|title=Hove Festival|date=January 29, 2017|access-date=July 30, 2017|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129055918/http://www.hovefestival.com/Default.aspx?articleID=790|archive-date=January 29, 2017}}</ref> and [[O2 Wireless Festival]] in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.o2wirelessfestival.co.uk/lineup/index.aspx |title=Official O2 Wireless Festival line-up |access-date=November 8, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705132219/http://www.o2wirelessfestival.co.uk/lineup/index.aspx |archive-date=July 5, 2008 }}</ref> During Kanye West's concert of August 6, 2008, at Madison Square Garden, Jay-Z came out to perform a new song and he and West proclaimed that it was to be on ''The Blueprint 3''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vimeo.com/1483104|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329141420/http://www.vimeo.com/1483104|url-status=dead|title=Jay-Z performs Blueprint 3 track with Kanye|archive-date=March 29, 2010}}</ref> On May 21, 2009, Jay-Z announced he would be parting ways with Def Jam, and had struck a multi-million-dollar deal to sign with [[Live Nation]], with whom he would start his [[Roc Nation]] imprint which would serve as a record label, talent/management agency, and music publishing company<ref name="hitsdailydouble">[http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/newsPage.cgi?news07601m01 I.B. Bad Contemplates The Great Unknown] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816173605/http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/newsPage.cgi?news07601m01 |date=August 16, 2013 }}". HITS Daily Double. May 22, 2009. Retrieved August 6, 2009.</ref> and also partnered with production team [[Stargate (production team)|Stargate]] to start a record label called [[StarRoc]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2008/09/28/20536457.aspx |title=Jay-Z Statement on New StarRoc Label |publisher=AllHipHop.com |author=Tai Saint Louis |date=September 28, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420021953/http://www.allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2008/09/28/20536457.aspx |archive-date=April 20, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rapbasement.com/jay-z/092308-details-on-jay-z-s-new-record-label-leak.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728133118/http://www.rapbasement.com/jay-z/092308-details-on-jay-z-s-new-record-label-leak.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 28, 2011|title=Details on Jay-Z's New Label|publisher=Rap Basement|author=Jason|date=September 23, 2008}}</ref> Jay-Z's 11th studio album ''[[The Blueprint 3]]'' was originally to be released on September 11, 2009,<ref name="rollingstonerocnation">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/05/21/jay-z-buys-out-def-jam-contract-blueprint-3-heads-to-roc-nation/|title=Jay-Z Buys Out Def Jam Contract, "Blueprint 3" Heads to Roc Nation|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|first=Daniel|last=Kreps|date=May 21, 2009|access-date=September 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924030954/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/05/21/jay-z-buys-out-def-jam-contract-blueprint-3-heads-to-roc-nation/|archive-date=September 24, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> but was instead released in North America on September 8, 2009, due to increasing anticipation.<ref name="rocnationblueprint3">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/09/08/jay-z-pushes-up-blueprint-3-release-announces-tour/|title=Jay-Z Pushes Up "Blueprint 3 " Release, Announces Tour|date=September 8, 2009|first=Daniel|last=Kreps|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=October 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912073319/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/09/08/jay-z-pushes-up-blueprint-3-release-announces-tour|archive-date=September 12, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Its international release followed on September 14.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/441/jay_z_is_back/|title=Jay-Z interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' August 2009|publisher=Bluesandsoul.com|access-date=September 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816023558/http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/441/jay_z_is_back/|archive-date=August 16, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> It is his 11th album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/jay-z/chart-history/|title=Thee Blueprint 3 – Jay-Z|access-date=September 20, 2009|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=November 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121090925/https://www.billboard.com/artist/jay-z/chart-history/|url-status=live}}</ref> and surpassed Elvis Presley's previous record.<ref name="accesshollywood">Access Hollywood. [http://www.accesshollywood.com/jay-z-beats-elvis-for-no-1-albums-record_article_23080 Jay-Z Beats Elvis For No. 1 Albums Record'] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107202722/http://www.accesshollywood.com/jay-z-beats-elvis-for-no-1-albums-record_article_23080 |date=January 7, 2015 }}. MTV. Retrieved November 5, 2012.</ref> On October 9, 2009, Jay-Z kicked off his tour for ''The Blueprint 3'', during which he supported his new album in North America. In a ''Shave Magazine'' review of his performance at [[Rexall Place]] in [[Edmonton]], Jake Tomlinson expressed that "It was the type of smooth performance you would expect from the hip-hop superstar." The review gave this performance 4 stars. His North American tour continued until November 22, 2009.<ref name="shavemagazine">{{cite web|first=Jake|last=Tomlinson|url=http://www.shavemagazine.com/concerts/reviews/091001|title=Jay Z Fall 2009 Concert Tour Review|work=[[Shave (magazine)|Shave]]|access-date=November 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203105145/http://www.shavemagazine.com/concerts/reviews/091001|archive-date=December 3, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> At his concert on November 8, 2009, at [[UCLA]]'s [[Pauley Pavilion]], [[Rihanna]] joined him on stage and performed "Hard" for the first time, then performed "Run This Town" with Jay-Z.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jocelyn|last=Vena|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1625796/20091109/rihanna.jhtml|title=Rihanna Joins Jay-Z Onstage At Los Angeles Concert|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212072553/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1625796/20091109/rihanna.jhtml |archive-date=December 12, 2010|publisher=MTV News|date=November 9, 2009|access-date=May 21, 2024|url-status=dead}}</ref> Among his success, Jay-Z has ventured into producing Broadway shows. Along with Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith, Jay-Z helped produce the play ''Fela!'', a musical celebrating the work of the late Nigerian star [[Fela Kuti]].<ref name="fela">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626972/20091124/jay_z.jhtml|title=Jay-Z Becomes A Broadway Producer For 'Fela!'|website=[[MTV]]|access-date=May 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091127003720/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626972/20091124/jay_z.jhtml|archive-date=November 27, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Jay-Z said he was inspired by the power of Kuti's work and his life story, which resulted in his interest to help produce the musical.<ref name="fela"/> ''Fela!'' is a story about an African pioneer and political activist who made his first moves on the scene during the 1970s.<ref name="fela"/>
[[File:Jay-zlivein2010.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Jay-Z performing at the [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival]] in April 2010]]
On January 23, 2010, Jay-Z released a track, "[[Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)]]", with Rihanna, and [[U2]]'s [[Bono]] and [[The Edge]], and performed it at the [[Hope For Haiti Now]] telethon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://u2.com/news/title/stranded-haiti-mon-amour-to-raise-funds-for-haiti-|title=News > 'Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)' raising funds for Haiti|publisher=U2.com|access-date=June 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304140154/http://www.u2.com/news/title/stranded-haiti-mon-amour-to-raise-funds-for-haiti-|archive-date=March 4, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2010, Eminem and Jay-Z announced they would perform together in a pair of concerts in Detroit and New York. The event was dubbed [[The Home & Home Tour]]. The first two concerts rapidly sold out, prompting the scheduling of an additional show at each venue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/eminem-and-jay-z-announce-more-home-and-home-dates/7314183|title=Eminem And Jay-z Announce More "Home & Home" Dates|work=ARTISTdirect |access-date=September 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016221554/http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/eminem-and-jay-z-announce-more-home-and-home-dates/7314183|archive-date=October 16, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Jay-Z was the supporting act for U2 on the Australian and New Zealand leg of their [[U2 360° Tour]], beginning in [[Auckland]], New Zealand, in November 2010, followed by Melbourne, Sydney, [[Brisbane]] and [[Perth]] in December.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1646328/20100823/jay_z.jhtml|title=Jay-Z To Join U2's 360 Tour in Australia|publisher=James Dinh|date=August 23, 2010|access-date=August 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826165503/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1646328/20100823/jay_z.jhtml|archive-date=August 26, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Jay-Z would later appear with Kanye West on ''[[Watch the Throne]]'', a full-length LP with origins as a five-track EP. Recording sessions for the album took place at various recording locations and began in November 2010. The first single released for the project was "[[H•A•M]]". The track was co-produced by [[Lex Luger (producer)|Lex Luger]] and West himself. The track ended up being on the deluxe edition of the album. The follow-up to that was the second single "[[Otis (song)|Otis]]", which premiered on [[Funkmaster Flex]]'s [[Hot 97]] radio show, and was later released to the [[iTunes Store]] eleven days later. The song's existence, along with several other tracks from the album, was confirmed during a listening session hosted by Jay-Z.<ref>Kim Osorio, [https://www.bet.com/article/70apqs/jay-z-unveils-watch-the-throne-at-listening-session Jay-Z Unveils Watch The Throne At Exclusive Listening Session], ''BET.com'', July 8, 2011</ref> The album was first released on the iTunes Store, five days prior to its being released in physical format, a strategy Jay-Z later said was used to block an [[music leak|internet leak]]. It debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Store in 23 countries. It also broke [[Coldplay]]'s record for most albums sold in one week on the online retailer, selling 290,000 copies on iTunes alone. It held that record until [[Lil Wayne]]'s ''[[Tha Carter IV]]'' was released twenty-one days later, selling 10,000 copies more. It debuted on the U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart at No. 1, selling 436,000 copies in its first week. The album received generally positive reviews. Jay-Z and West later gave a surprise performance of "Otis" at the [[2011 MTV Video Music Awards]].

===2012–2016: ''Magna Carta Holy Grail'' and other ventures===
[[File:Jay-Z Beyonce.jpg|thumb|Jay-Z and his wife [[Beyoncé]] after his performance of "[[Tom Ford (song)|Tom Ford]]" on [[The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour]] in 2013]]
In May 2012, Jay-Z and former [[Philadelphia]] mayor [[Michael A. Nutter]] announced Jay-Z as the curator and the headliner for the first annual "Budweiser Made in America" festival at [[Fairmount Park]] in Philadelphia on September 1 and 2, 2012. The performance was produced by [[Live Nation Entertainment|Live Nation]] and assembled an eclectic lineup of "[[rock music|rock]], [[Hip hop music|hip hop]], [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]], [[Latin music (genre)|Latin music]] and dance" musicians.<ref>{{cite news|last=Itzkoff|first=Dave|title=Jay-Z to Curate and Star in Two-Day Music Festival in Philadelphia|url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/jay-z-to-curate-and-star-in-two-day-music-festival-in-philadelphia/|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=May 13, 2012|date=May 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516024408/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/jay-z-to-curate-and-star-in-two-day-music-festival-in-philadelphia/|archive-date=May 16, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Jay-Z and [[Rihanna]] were the two main headlining acts for [[BBC Radio 1]]'s [[BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend|2012 Hackney Weekend]] music festival on June 23 to 24.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jonsin|first=Miranda|title=Rihanna And Jay-Z Headlining 2012 Olympics Festival|url=http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/04/26/rihanna-and-jay-z-headlining-2012-olympics-festival/|publisher=MTV|access-date=May 13, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510230041/http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/04/26/rihanna-and-jay-z-headlining-2012-olympics-festival/|archive-date=May 10, 2012}}</ref> Jay-Z opened his set with an appearance from Rihanna, they performed "Run this Town". On September 6, "[[Clique (Kanye West Song)|Clique]]" was released, a single from the album "[[Cruel Summer (GOOD Music album)|Cruel Summer]]", by [[GOOD Music]]. [[Kanye West]] and [[Big Sean]] starred alongside Jay-Z on the track. Jay-Z took the subway to his sold-out show at The Barclays Center on October 6, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jay-Z Rides in Style to Final Performance at Barclay's Center|url=http://nymn.com/jay-z-rides-in-style-to-final-performance-at-barclays-center/|access-date=October 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010223539/http://nymn.com/jay-z-rides-in-style-to-final-performance-at-barclays-center/|archive-date=October 10, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2012, Coldplay performed with Jay-Z at the [[Barclays Center]] in Brooklyn.<ref>{{cite news|title=Coldplay and JZ Join Forces|url=http://nymn.com/coldplay-and-jz-join-forces-new-york-music-news/|publisher=New York Music News|date=December 7, 2012|access-date=December 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215045821/http://nymn.com/coldplay-and-jz-join-forces-new-york-music-news/|archive-date=December 15, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

On September 23, 2010, [[Q-Tip (rapper)|Q-Tip]] confirmed working on Jay-Z's follow-up album to ''The Blueprint 3'', saying the album was to hit stores by spring 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rapbasement.com/q-tip/092210-q-tip-confirms-his-work-on-jay-zs-next-album-along-with-kanye-west-details-here-click-now.html|title=Q-Tip Confirms Jay-Z's Upcoming New Album|work=Rap Basement |date=September 22, 2010|access-date=July 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220164349/http://www.rapbasement.com/q-tip/092210-q-tip-confirms-his-work-on-jay-zs-next-album-along-with-kanye-west-details-here-click-now.html|archive-date=February 20, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2012 it was reported that Jay-Z would work on new music with [[Roc Nation]] producer [[Jahlil Beats]]. Beats told ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'' magazine: "Me and Jay-Z been going back and forth. He picked a couple of my joints that he's working on. I don't even wanna say too much about Jay, but we definitely working on some stuff. I haven't even sent him a bunch of beats. I sent him my favorite stuff. He hit me right back like, 'Yo, I'ma go in on this,' or, 'I like this.'"<ref>{{cite web|last=Horowitz|first=Steven|title=Jay-Z Working With Jahlil Beats on New Music|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.19716/title.jay-z-working-with-jahlil-beats-on-new-music/|publisher=Hip Hop DX|access-date=May 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513113412/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.19716/title.jay-z-working-with-jahlil-beats-on-new-music|archive-date=May 13, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album was named one of the most anticipated albums of 2013 by ''[[Complex Magazine]]'', [[MTV]], and ''XXL''. The album was produced by [[Jahlil Beats]], [[Kanye West]], [[Rick Rubin]], [[Swizz Beatz]], [[Timbaland]], and [[Pharrell Williams]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/01/xxl-presents-the-35-most-anticipated-albums-of-2013-3#34|title=XXL Presents... The 35 Most Anticipated Albums of 2013|work=XXL|date=January 14, 2013|access-date=February 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928080746/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/01/xxl-presents-the-35-most-anticipated-albums-of-2013-3/#34|archive-date=September 28, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1699660/most-anticipated-rap-albums-2013.jhtml|title=Jay-Z And Eminem Return With 2013's Most Anticipated Hip-Hop Albums|publisher=MTV|date=January 4, 2013|access-date=February 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011191723/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1699660/most-anticipated-rap-albums-2013.jhtml|archive-date=October 11, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Jay-Z also co-produced and performed on [[Justin Timberlake]]'s comeback single "[[Suit & Tie]]" from his third studio album ''[[The 20/20 Experience]]'', the song itself was produced by both Jay-Z and Timberlake's mutual friend, Timbaland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://countdown.justintimberlake.com/|title=Justin Timberlake Countdown|publisher=Countdown.justintimberlake.com|access-date=February 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211095157/http://countdown.justintimberlake.com/|archive-date=February 11, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2013, Timberlake and Jay-Z embarked on the co-headlining [[Legends of the Summer|Legends of the Summer Stadium Tour]].<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/list/5820092/top-25-tours-of-2013 | title=Top 25 Tours of 2013 | magazine=Billboard | date=December 13, 2015 | access-date=March 2, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304123813/http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/5820092/top-25-tours-of-2013 | archive-date=March 4, 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref>

During the fifth game of the [[2013 NBA Finals]], Carter announced his twelfth studio album, ''[[Magna Carta Holy Grail]]'', and was released on July 4, 2013. Not long after, Jay-Z confirmed that the hyphen in his stage name would be left out and officially stylized in all capital letters.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pitchfork.com/news/51591-the-artist-formerly-known-as-jay-z-removes-hyphen-from-his-name/ | title=The Artist Formerly Known as Jay-Z Removes Hyphen From His Name | publisher=[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]] | date=July 18, 2013 | access-date=August 31, 2017 | author=Battan, Carrie | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901024818/https://pitchfork.com/news/51591-the-artist-formerly-known-as-jay-z-removes-hyphen-from-his-name/ | archive-date=September 1, 2017 | url-status=live }}</ref> ''Magna Carta Holy Grail'' debuted at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200 and sold 528,000 copies in its first week, which bypassed its predicted debut in the range of 350,000 to 400,000.<ref>[https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/jay-z-announces-new-album-magna-carta-holy-grail-in-samsung-1567101/ Jay-Z Announces New Album, 'Magna Carta Holy Grail,' In Samsung Commercial] . Billboard (June 16, 2013). Retrieved on July 4, 2013.</ref>
In December 2013, it was announced that Jay-Z had received nine nominations at the [[2014 Grammy Awards]], more than any other artist.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25290270|work=BBC News|title=Jay Z dominates Grammys shortlists with nine nominations|date=December 8, 2013|access-date=June 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018022302/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25290270|archive-date=October 18, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Jay-Z appeared on his wife Beyoncé's self-titled fifth studio album, ''[[Beyoncé (album)|Beyoncé]]'', with a feature on the song "[[Drunk in Love]]". They performed this song together at the [[56th Annual Grammy Awards]] opening.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beyonce-and-jay-z-open-grammys-with-steamy-drunk-in-love-performance-20140126|title=Beyoncé and Jay Z Open Grammys With Steamy 'Drunk in Love' Performance|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=January 26, 2014|access-date=August 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104170617/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beyonce-and-jay-z-open-grammys-with-steamy-drunk-in-love-performance-20140126|archive-date=January 4, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The song and its accompanying album would later win three Grammy Awards including [[Best R&B Performance]] at the [[57th Annual Grammy Awards|2015 ceremony]]. In 2016, he won a lawsuit for the song "Made in America" with Kanye West featuring [[Frank Ocean]] against Joel McDonald.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/68928-jay-z-kanye-west-frank-ocean-win-made-in-america-lawsuit/|title=Jay Z, Frank Ocean, and Kanye West win lawsuit against Joel McDonald|last=Hogan|first=Marc|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=October 12, 2016|access-date=October 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012145440/http://pitchfork.com/news/68928-jay-z-kanye-west-frank-ocean-win-made-in-america-lawsuit/|archive-date=October 12, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2017–present: ''4:44'', ''Everything Is Love'' and Book of HOV exhibit===
[[File:Everything Is Love Album Release - OTR II Tour.jpg|thumb|Jay-Z announcing the ''[[Everything Is Love]]'' album in London in 2018]]
In 2017, Jay-Z released his 13th solo studio album, 4:44.<ref>{{Cite web |title=June 30 In Hip-Hop History: JAY-Z Drops His '4:44' Album |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2022-06-30-june-30-in-hip-hop-history-jay-z-drops-his-444-album/ |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=iHeart |language=en}}</ref> Two years later, he became hip-hop's first artist to achieve billionaire status.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jay-Z |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/jay-z/ |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>

In early June 2017, posters were displayed in New York City and Los Angeles, and banner ads were placed on the Internet promoting a [[Tidal (service)|Tidal]]-related project titled ''[[4:44]]''.<ref name="Jay Z Details New Album '4:44'" /> A teaser ad was aired during the [[2017 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]] on June 7 featuring actors [[Mahershala Ali]], [[Lupita Nyong'o]] and [[Danny Glover]] in a one-minute video, ending in "4:44 – 6.30.17, Exclusively on Tidal". On June 18, the project was confirmed to be a new Jay-Z album, and a clip featuring a song titled "Adnis" was posted on Sprint's YouTube page.<ref name="Jay Z Details New Album '4:44'">{{cite magazine|last1=Blistein|first1=Jon|title=Jay Z Details New Album '4:44'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jay-z-details-new-album-444-w482457|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=June 19, 2017|access-date=June 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619144549/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jay-z-details-new-album-444-w482457|archive-date=June 19, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

''4:44'' was released through [[Roc Nation]] and [[Universal Music Group]], as an exclusive to [[Sprint Corporation|Sprint]] and [[Tidal (service)|Tidal]] customers. The album is the first in a planned series of music exclusives from the Sprint–Tidal partnership. For a short time, on July 2, the album was made available for free digital download in Tidal's site. A physical edition was released on July 7, including three additional tracks. On the same day, the album was made available to other streaming platforms, such as [[Apple Music]], [[Google Play Music]] and [[Amazon Music]].

The album received widespread acclaim from critics, who praised its emotional and personal content. On July 5, the album was certified [[RIAA certification|Platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA), in recognition of one million copies purchased by Sprint and offered to consumers as free downloads.<ref name="platinum">{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/jay-z-444-certified-platinum-riaa-sprint-promotion/ |title=JAY-Z's '4:44' Certified Platinum Following Sprint Promotion |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=July 4, 2017 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707031018/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7857108/jay-z-444-certified-platinum-riaa-sprint-promotion |archive-date=July 7, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> It debuted at number one on the U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], making it Jay-Z's 13th consecutive studio album to top the chart. The album spawned two singles, the title track "4:44" and "Bam", as well as several music videos, directed by a variety of high-profile collaborators. The album received a [[Grammy Award]] nomination for [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]], while the title track was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]] and "[[The Story of O.J.]]" was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]] at the [[60th Annual Grammy Awards]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jay-z-kendrick-lamar-bruno-mars-lead-2018-grammy-nominees-w512734|title=Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Bruno Mars Lead 2018 Grammy Nominees|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=November 28, 2017|access-date=November 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130063951/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jay-z-kendrick-lamar-bruno-mars-lead-2018-grammy-nominees-w512734|archive-date=January 30, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 6, 2018, Jay-Z and Beyoncé kicked-off the [[On the Run II Tour]] in [[Cardiff]], United Kingdom. Ten days later, at their final London performance, the pair unveiled ''[[Everything Is Love]]'', their much-awaited joint studio album, credited under the name ''The Carters''. The pair also released the video for the album's lead single, "[[Apeshit]]", on Beyoncé's official [[YouTube]] channel.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Ashley|last=Iasimone|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/beyonce-jay-z-the-carters-everything-is-love-album-8461319/|title=Beyonce & JAY-Z, AKA the Carters, Drop Joint 'Everything Is Love' Album|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=June 16, 2018|access-date=June 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617021039/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8461319/beyonce-jay-z-the-carters-everything-is-love-album|archive-date=June 17, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Sajae|last=Elder|url=http://www.thefader.com/2018/06/16/beyonce-and-jay-z-release-the-video-for-their-single-apeshit|title=Beyoncé and Jay Z release the video for their single "Apeshit"|work=[[Fader (magazine)|The Fader]]|date=June 16, 2018|access-date=June 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617015320/http://www.thefader.com/2018/06/16/beyonce-and-jay-z-release-the-video-for-their-single-apeshit|archive-date=June 17, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The song won two awards from eight nominations at the [[2018 MTV Video Music Awards]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018-mtv-video-music-awards-list-of-winners/|title=2018 MTV Video Music Awards list of winners|date=August 21, 2018|work=Fox News|access-date=September 20, 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920161012/http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/08/21/2018-mtv-video-music-awards-list-winners.html|archive-date=September 20, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2021, Jay-Z was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] along with fellow rapper [[LL Cool J]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Tina Turner Among 16 Nominees For Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/02/10/966298198/jay-z-mary-j-blige-tina-turner-among-16-nominees-for-rock-roll-hall-of-fame|access-date=February 11, 2021|newspaper=NPR|date=February 10, 2021|language=en|last1=Harris|first1=Latesha}}</ref> He also appeared on the song "[[Jail (Kanye West song)|Jail]]" on Kanye West's 2021 album ''[[Donda]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 29, 2021|title=Fans react as Kanye finally drops 'DONDA': "He left the Jay-Z verse in!"|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/fans-react-as-kanye-finally-drops-donda-he-left-the-jay-z-verse-in-3031929|access-date=September 1, 2021|website=NME|language=en-GB|archive-date=September 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901021153/https://www.nme.com/news/music/fans-react-as-kanye-finally-drops-donda-he-left-the-jay-z-verse-in-3031929|url-status=live}}</ref> which went on to win [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Song]] at the [[64th Annual Grammy Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 3, 2022|title=Kanye West and Jay-Z Win Best Rap Song for "Jail" at the 2022 Grammys|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-and-jay-z-win-best-rap-song-for-jail-at-the-2022-grammys/|access-date=April 13, 2022|website=Pitchfork|language=en-GB}}</ref> and on the song "Love All" from [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]'s 2021 album ''[[Certified Lover Boy]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 2, 2021|title=Drake's 'Certified Lover Boy' Arrives, With Guests Including Jay-Z, Travis Scott, Young Thug, More|url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/drake-certified-lover-boy-released-features-1235033275/|access-date=April 13, 2022|website=Variety|language=en-GB|archive-date=May 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523002836/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/drake-certified-lover-boy-released-features-1235033275/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2022, his first feature was a collaboration with fellow rapper [[Pusha T]], "[[Neck & Wrist]]" featuring [[Pharrell Williams]] from Pusha T's album, ''[[It's Almost Dry]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 6, 2022|title=Pusha T and Jay-Z Release New Song "Neck & Wrist"|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/pusha-t-and-jay-z-releasing-new-song-neck-and-wrist-tonight/|access-date=April 14, 2022|website=Pitchfork|language=en-GB|archive-date=April 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405164035/https://pitchfork.com/news/pusha-t-and-jay-z-releasing-new-song-neck-and-wrist-tonight/|url-status=live}}</ref> His feature was succeeded by a four-minute guest appearance on [[DJ Khaled]]'s [[God Did|album]] title track, "[[God Did (song)|God Did]]".<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 26, 2022 |title=Fans Are Loving JAY-Z's Epic 4-Minute Rap On DJ Khaled's "God Did" – Okayplayer |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/music/fans-are-loving-jay-zs-epic-4-minute-rap-on-dj-khaleds-god-did.html |access-date=February 7, 2023 |website=www.okayplayer.com |language=en-US |url-access=registration |first=Jaelani Turner |last=Williams}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 26, 2022 |title=Jay-Z Raps For Four Minutes On DJ Khaled's 'God Did' Title Track |url=https://uproxx.com/music/jay-z-dj-khaled-four-minutes-god-did-listeners/ |access-date=February 7, 2023 |website=UPROXX |language=en-US |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207194415/https://uproxx.com/music/jay-z-dj-khaled-four-minutes-god-did-listeners/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He also was awarded the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live)]], as a producer for the [[Super Bowl LVI halftime show]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Montgomery |first1=Daniel |date=September 3, 2022 |title=2022 Creative Arts Emmy winners list in all categories [UPDATING LIVE] |url=https://www.goldderby.com/feature/2022-creative-arts-emmy-winners-list-1205063473/ |access-date=September 4, 2022 |website=GoldDerby |language=en-US |archive-date=September 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904035231/https://www.goldderby.com/feature/2022-creative-arts-emmy-winners-list-1205063473/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2023, the Brooklyn Library featured the Book of HOV exhibit. The showcase included artifacts commemorating Jay-Z's career.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=2023-07-14 |title=Jay-Z Honored With Dazzling, Career-Spanning 'Book of Hov' Exhibit at Brooklyn Public Library |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/jay-z-book-of-hov-exhibit-brooklyn-public-library-1235666139/ |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> The next year, the exhibit was turned into a book, ''The Book of HOV: A Tribute to Jay-Z''. Similar to the exhibit, the physical book recounted Jay-Z's life and career, including images, interviews, and professional insights.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=2024-12-03 |title=Jay-Z's 'Book of HOV' Exhibit Is Now an Actual Book |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jay-z-book-of-hov-exhibit-book-1235190811/ |access-date=2025-09-07 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Musical style==
===Influences===
Jay-Z says his earliest exposure to music was through his parents' record collection, which was mostly of [[Soul music|soul]] artists such as [[Marvin Gaye]] and [[Donny Hathaway]]. He says "I grew up around music, listening to all types of people... I'm into music that has soul in it, whether it be rap, R&B, pop music, whatever. As long as I can feel their soul through the wax, that's what I really listen to."<ref name="MTV News">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1619380/20090824/jay_z.jhtml|title=A Young Jay-Z Describes His Early Influences|last=Anderson|first=Kyle|publisher=[[MTV News]]|date=August 24, 2009|access-date=December 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003114113/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1619380/20090824/jay_z.jhtml|archive-date=October 3, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> He often uses excerpts from these artists as [[Sampling (music)|samples]] in his work, particularly in the Kanye West productions included on ''The Blueprint.''<ref name="MTV News"/>

===Rapping technique===
Known for his lyrical prowess which often utilises [[double entendre]]s, witty [[Word play|wordplays]], and mixes messages with [[Braggadocio (rap)|braggadocio]], his music often describes his rise from poverty to vast wealth.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/drew-millard/jay-z-50-best-double-entendres | title=Jay-Z's 50 Best Double Entendres | website=[[Complex Networks]] | date=January 4, 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Servantes |first1=Ian |title=13 Jay-Z Lyrics That Prove He Never Lost His Fire |url=https://www.redbull.com/se-en/jay-z-best-new-lyrics |website=[[Red Bull]] |access-date=9 December 2024 |date=17 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://theboombox.com/20-best-lyrics-from-jay-z/ | title=20 Best Lyrics from Jay-Z | date=July 27, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2022-04-21/164097/10-jay-z-lyrics-about-finances-business-money | title=10 times JAY-Z's business-laced bars taught us how to reach billionaire status }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-jay-zs-honest-lyrics-can-help-you-improve-your-finances-2017-11-24 | title=Financial advice from Jay-Z's lyrics you should follow — and avoid | date=November 25, 2017 }}</ref>

[[Royce da 5'9"]] and [[Fredro Starr]] of [[Onyx (hip hop group)|Onyx]] both describe Jay-Z's emphasis on [[Flow (music)|flow]] in the book ''[[How to Rap]]''—Starr says that Jay-Z is "a master of the flow—he can flow fast, he can flow slow".<ref name="EdwardsRap65">{{harvnb|Edwards|2009|pp=65, 112}}</ref> The book describes how Jay-Z uses 'rests' to provide structure to a verse<ref name="EdwardsRap129">{{harvnb|Edwards|2009|p=129}}</ref> and how he uses 'partial linking' to add more [[rhyme]]s to a verse.<ref name="EdwardsRap91">{{harvnb|Edwards|2009|p=91}}</ref> Jay-Z's early style is described by [[Vibe (magazine)|''Vibe'']] as "a distinctly [[Das EFX]]-type, stiggety style" on his 12" single "Can't Get With That",<ref>Vibe magazine, Jan 2004, Vol. 12, No. 1, published by Vibe Media Group, p. 75.</ref> referring to the fast rhythms and vocal delivery of the group Das EFX. He is also known to write lyrics in his head, as described by [[Pusha T]] of [[Clipse]] in ''How to Rap'',<ref name="EdwardsRap144">{{harvnb|Edwards|2009|p=144}}</ref> a style popular with many [[MC]]s such as [[The Notorious B.I.G.]],<ref name="EdwardsRap144"/> [[Everlast (musician)|Everlast]],<ref name="EdwardsRap144-145">{{harvnb|Edwards|2009|pp=144–145}}</ref> [[Bobby Creekwater]]<ref name="EdwardsRap145">{{harvnb|Edwards|2009|pp=145}}</ref> and [[Guerilla Black]].<ref name="EdwardsRap145"/> [[Shock G]] of [[Digital Underground]] describes Jay-Z's live performance style, saying he "rarely breaks a sweat, and instead uses smoothness and clever wordplay to keep the audience interested and entertained".<ref name="EdwardsRap292">{{harvnb|Edwards|2009|p=292}}</ref> Jay-Z's fast rapping technique, also known as the [[Rapping#Rhythm|"triplet time"]], was developed during his early years of creating music with former mentor [[Jaz-O]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/a-brief-history-of-chopping-the-fastest-flows-ever-news.101882.html|title=A Brief History Of Chopping: The Fastest Flows Ever|website=www.hotnewhiphop.com|author=Findlay, Mitch|date=January 28, 2020|access-date=February 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215194932/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/a-brief-history-of-chopping-the-fastest-flows-ever-news.101882.html|archive-date=February 15, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jaz-o-is-the-originator-reflections-on-jay-z-big-and-creating-the-triplet-flow-news.88588.html|title=Jaz-O Is The Originator: Reflections On Jay-Z, B.I.G, & Creating The Triplet Flow|website=www.hotnewhiphop.com|first=Mitch|last=Finlay|date=August 19, 2019|quote=The reason I did it was because in one-sixteenth cadence and your average four-fourth time signature beat, if you have more than sixteen syllables in a measure, all of the sudden, you're stuck with a dilemma to express yourself in a certain way or to get your point across the way you choose. I had to stuff those words, those extra syllables in the sixteen so it would transform those syllables into twenty-fourths, which became a triplet of an eighth. That's why I called it the triplet style.|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215095215/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jaz-o-is-the-originator-reflections-on-jay-z-big-and-creating-the-triplet-flow-news.88588.html|archive-date=February 15, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Business career==
Jay-Z has also established himself as a successful entrepreneur with a business empire spanning a variety of industries from clothing lines, beverages, real estate, sport teams, and record labels.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 18, 2010 |title=Jay-Z's Business Portfolio |url=http://ksfm.cbslocal.com/2010/05/18/jay-zs-business-portfolio/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306221018/http://ksfm.cbslocal.com/2010/05/18/jay-zs-business-portfolio/ |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |access-date=February 29, 2016 |publisher=KSFM}}</ref> In an interview, he stated that "my brands are an extension of me. They're close to me. It's not like running [[General Motors|GM]], where there's no emotional attachment."<ref>{{cite web |date=March 15, 2009 |title=Jay-Z Talks Business, Success in New Interview |url=http://www.idiomag.com/peek/70238/jay-z |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326033812/http://www.idiomag.com/peek/70238/jay-z |archive-date=March 26, 2009 |access-date=March 17, 2009 |publisher=idiomag}}</ref>

=== Rocawear ===
Jay-Z and [[Damon Dash]] are the founders of the urban clothing brand [[Rocawear]].<ref name="NYTimes1">{{cite news |date=March 7, 2007 |title=Iconix to Buy Rocawear, Jay-Z's Clothing Line |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/07/business/07clothes.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 9, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521094535/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/07/business/07clothes.html |archive-date=May 21, 2011}}</ref> Rocawear has clothing lines and accessories for men, women and children. The line was taken over by Jay-Z in early 2006 following a falling out with Dash. In March 2007, Jay-Z sold the rights to the Rocawear brand to [[Iconix Brand Group]] for $204&nbsp;million. He retains his stake in the company and continues to oversee the marketing, licensing and product development.<ref name="NYTimes1" /><ref>{{cite web |date=February 7, 2007 |title=Jay-Z: Down To 98 Problems Yet? |url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/07032007/jay_z_down_to_98_problems_yet |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309153953/http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/07032007/jay_z_down_to_98_problems_yet |archive-date=March 9, 2007 |access-date=March 9, 2007 |publisher=MTV}}</ref>

=== Reebok ===
Jay-Z became the first rapper in [[Reebok]]'s history to endorse the company's footwear, signing a three-year endorsement deal.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=In Memoriam: The Reebok S. Carter |url=https://solecollector.com/news/2014/12/in-memorandum-the-reebok-s-carter |access-date=February 7, 2023 |website=Sole Collector |language=en |archive-date=May 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523002825/https://images.solecollector.com/complex/image/upload/elc7qtdyttfuu5uyh5e2.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref> He later appeared in a 2003 Reebok collection advertising his S. Carter Collection.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rooney |first=Kyle |date=July 29, 2016 |title=Jay Z promotes Reebok |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/the-most-memorable-rapper-appearances-in-sneaker-commercials-news.23160.html?gallery=3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802162002/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/the-most-memorable-rapper-appearances-in-sneaker-commercials-news.23160.html?gallery=3 |archive-date=August 2, 2016 |access-date=July 30, 2016 |website=HNHH}}</ref> Later that year, he and [[frenemy]] [[50 Cent]] appeared in a commercial to promote their S. Carter and [[G-Unit Clothing Company|G-Unit]] footwears for the company, with a Just Blaze-produced song made for it.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2016 |title=Remember That Time Jay Z and 50 Cent Did a Commercial Together? [Video] |url=https://92q.com/3889435/jay-z-50-cent-reebok-commercial/ |access-date=February 7, 2023 |website=92 Q |language=en-US |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207194414/https://92q.com/3889435/jay-z-50-cent-reebok-commercial/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2006, Jay-Z's deal with Reebok expired with no renewal.<ref name=":1" />

=== Alcoholic beverages ===
In 2014, Jay-Z invested $200&nbsp;million in [[Armand de Brignac]] champagne—owned at the time by Sovereign Brands, a New York–based wine and spirits company—for a 100 percent stake, making it the second alcoholic product acquisition in his financial investment portfolio.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 11, 2014 |title=Jay Z Buys Armand de Brignac Champagne From Sovereign Brands |url=http://www.rick.com/jay-z-buys-armand-de-brignac-champagne-sovereign-brands/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216021641/http://www.rick.com/jay-z-buys-armand-de-brignac-champagne-sovereign-brands/ |archive-date=February 16, 2016 |access-date=January 17, 2016 |publisher=Rick.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=November 12, 2014 |title=Jay Z spent $256&nbsp;million on champagne |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/luxury/63115545/jay-z-spent-256-million-on-champagne |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121031321/http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/luxury/63115545/jay-z-spent-256-million-on-champagne |archive-date=November 21, 2016 |access-date=January 17, 2016}}</ref> The brand is known for its popularity with high-profile artists as being the gold bottles often referred to in media.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Sydney Ember |date=November 5, 2014 |title=Jay Z Acquires Luxury Champagne Brand Armand de Brignac |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/11/05/jay-z-acquires-luxury-champagne-brand-armand-de-brignac/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202035340/http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/11/05/jay-z-acquires-luxury-champagne-brand-armand-de-brignac/ |archive-date=December 2, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Greenburg, Zack |date=November 6, 2014 |title=The Real Story Behind Jay Z's Champagne Deal |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2014/11/06/why-jay-zs-champagne-news-isnt-so-new/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216130710/http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2014/11/06/why-jay-zs-champagne-news-isnt-so-new/ |archive-date=February 16, 2016 |access-date=January 17, 2016 |work=Forbes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Gibbs, Alexandra |date=November 7, 2014 |title=Jay Z's got 99 problems but champagne ain't one |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2014/11/07/jay-zs-got-99-problems-but-champagne-aint-one.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224185532/https://www.cnbc.com/2014/11/07/jay-zs-got-99-problems-but-champagne-aint-one.html |archive-date=December 24, 2015 |access-date=January 17, 2016 |publisher=CNBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Sarah Spickernell |title=How much is Jay-Z worth? Rapper adds luxury champagne brand Armand de Brignac to personal empire with purchase from Sovereign Brands |date=November 6, 2014 |publisher=City A.M |url=https://www.cityam.com/how-much-jay-z-worth-rapper-adds-luxury-champagne-brand-armand-de-brignac-personal-empire |access-date=September 7, 2023 |archive-date=May 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523002837/https://www.cityam.com/how-much-jay-z-worth-rapper-adds-luxury-champagne-brand-armand-de-brignac-personal-empire/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Natasha |title=Jay Z Locks Down Deal To Buy Stake in Armand de Brignac |url=http://theybf.com/2014/11/05/on-that-spade-ish-jay-z-locks-down-deal-to-buy-stake-in-armand-de-brignac |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216070438/http://theybf.com/2014/11/05/on-that-spade-ish-jay-z-locks-down-deal-to-buy-stake-in-armand-de-brignac |archive-date=February 16, 2016 |access-date=January 17, 2016 |publisher=TON THAT SPADE ISH}}</ref> His ties to the company date back to 2006, and he received millions of dollars per year for his association with Armand de Brignac before he bought the entire company.<ref>{{cite web |author=Anthony Osei |title=Did Jay-Z Make $50 Million Off Ace of Spades? |url=http://ca.complex.com/music/2011/03/jay-z-ace-of-spades |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207033921/http://ca.complex.com/music/2011/03/jay-z-ace-of-spades |archive-date=February 7, 2016 |access-date=January 17, 2016 |publisher=Complex}}</ref>

Jay-Z serves as co-brand director for Budweiser Select and collaborates with the company on strategic marketing programs and creative ad development. He provides direction on brand programs and ads that appear on TV, radio, print, and high-profile events.<ref>[http://adage.com/article/news/jay-z-a-marketing-title-anheuser-busch/112549/ Jay-Z Gets a Marketing Title at Anheuser-Busch] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023134539/http://adage.com/article/news/jay-z-a-marketing-title-anheuser-busch/112549/|date=October 23, 2016}} – [[Advertising Age]], October 17, 2006</ref>

=== Technology ===
In March 2015, Jay-Z completed the $56&nbsp;million acquisition of [[Aspiro]], a Norwegian media technology company that operates the subscription-based music streaming service [[Tidal (service)|Tidal]], which has been in operation since October 2014.<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2015-05-28/why-jay-z-s-tidal-streaming-music-service-has-been-a-disaster Bloomberg: "That's Business, Man: Why Jay Z's Tidal Is a Complete Disaster. He set out to save the music industry from the economics of streaming, and make himself a fortune in the process. So far, Jay Z is doing neither" by Devin Leonard] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415051040/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2015-05-28/why-jay-z-s-tidal-streaming-music-service-has-been-a-disaster|date=April 15, 2016}} May 28, 2015</ref> The music service was acquired through his company [[Project Panther Bidco|Project Panther Bidco Ltd.]] (an entity indirectly owned by Jay-Z's S. Carter Enterprises a company holding interests in leading international music, media and entertainment companies).<ref>{{cite news |author=Joe Chidley |date=February 2, 2015 |title=If you can't be Jay-Z, be the guy who sells companies to him |newspaper=Financial Post |url=http://business.financialpost.com/investing/if-you-cant-be-jay-z-be-the-guy-who-sells-companies-to-him |url-status=live |access-date=February 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308033821/http://business.financialpost.com/investing/if-you-cant-be-jay-z-be-the-guy-who-sells-companies-to-him |archive-date=March 8, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Courtney Connley |date=February 2, 2015 |title=Jay Z Makes $56 Million Bid to Buy Music Streaming Company |url=http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/jay-z-makes-56-million-bid-music-streaming-company/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306232349/http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/jay-z-makes-56-million-bid-music-streaming-company/ |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |access-date=February 29, 2016 |publisher=Black Enterprise}}</ref> The music service combines audio and music videos with curated editorial. The main idea of the service is to bring major revenue streams back to the music artists themselves as the idea of an artist-owned streaming platform was stated as to "restore the value to music by launching a service owned by artists." Jay-Z currently{{When|date=October 2018}} is a major shareholder in the company.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 30, 2015 |title=Jay Z relaunches Tidal with music's biggest artists as his co-owners |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/3/30/8314833/tidal-jay-z-streaming-music |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330213630/http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/30/8314833/tidal-jay-z-streaming-music |archive-date=March 30, 2015 |access-date=March 31, 2015 |work=The Verge}}</ref><ref>1:44 video mark{{cite web |date=March 30, 2015 |title=Tidal Live Press Conference Ft. Jay Z, Madonna, Beyoncé and Kanye West! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SifNd8j3Zdc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411014252/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SifNd8j3Zdc |archive-date=April 11, 2015 |access-date=March 31, 2015 |publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

In July 2015, Carter made a significant investment to [[JetSmarter]], an app helping people book private executive plane flights. The app was built by Sergey Petrossov.<ref>{{cite news |title=With $20M In The Bank, JetSmarter Is Building The Uber Of The Skies |work=[[TechCrunch]] |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/07/23/with-20m-in-the-bank-jetsmarter-is-building-the-uber-of-the-skies/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118102617/http://techcrunch.com/2015/07/23/with-20m-in-the-bank-jetsmarter-is-building-the-uber-of-the-skies/ |archive-date=January 18, 2016}}</ref>

=== Music industry ===
From 2005 to 2007, Jay-Z was inaugurated as the president of Def Jam Recordings. Under Jay-Z's leadership, Def Jam launched the successful careers of contemporary R&B singers [[Rihanna]] and [[Ne-Yo]]. At the end of 2007, after he released [[American Gangster (album)|''American Gangster'']], Jay-Z decided not to renew his contract as the president and CEO of Def Jam. Shortly after, he started his [[Live Nation Entertainment|Live Nation]] venture, [[Roc Nation]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jay-Z Stepping Down As Def Jam President/CEO |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/qm66bk/jay-z-stepping-down-as-def-jam-presidentceo |access-date=October 28, 2022 |website=MTV |language=en |archive-date=October 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028100748/https://www.mtv.com/news/qm66bk/jay-z-stepping-down-as-def-jam-presidentceo |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In April 2011, it was reported that Jay-Z had outbid executives at [[Universal Music Group|Universal Music]] and [[Jive Records]] to acquire independent record label [[Block Starz Music]].<ref>{{cite news |date=April 20, 2011 |title=The NYC Power List |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nyc-power-list-179993 |url-status=live |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205022120/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nyc-power-list-179993 |archive-date=December 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=April 4, 2011 |title=Jay Z &#124; Jay-jay Z Acquires Independent German Label |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news/jay-jay-z-acquires-independent-german-label_1211060 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707171810/http://www.contactmusic.com/news/jay-jay-z-acquires-independent-german-label_1211060 |archive-date=July 7, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2014 |publisher=Contactmusic.com}}</ref>

=== Sporting business ===
For a decade (2003–2013), Jay-Z enjoyed his role as a part-owner of the [[Brooklyn Nets]] [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] team, having paid a reported $1&nbsp;million for his share, which declined in value to $350,000 in April 2013, based on ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine's valuation of the team.<ref>{{cite news |title=Report: Jay-Z to drop Nets ownership stake, become player agent |publisher=SI.com |url=http://nba.si.com/2013/04/09/jay-z-brooklyn-nets-nba-agent/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411194142/http://nba.si.com/2013/04/09/jay-z-brooklyn-nets-nba-agent/ |archive-date=April 11, 2013}}</ref> He encouraged the team's relocation to [[Brooklyn]]'s [[Barclays Center]] (from [[New Jersey]]) in the [[2012–13 NBA season|2012–2013 season]], at which point the team took on the Brooklyn Nets moniker.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brooks |first=Matt |date=September 26, 2011 |title=The Washington Post – Jay-Z: Brooklyn Nets to debut at Barclays Center in 2012 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/post/jay-z-brooklyn-nets-to-debut-at-barclays-center-in-2012/2011/09/26/gIQAeYKVzK_blog.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615003555/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/post/jay-z-brooklyn-nets-to-debut-at-barclays-center-in-2012/2011/09/26/gIQAeYKVzK_blog.html |archive-date=June 15, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=September 26, 2011 |title=Jay-Z makes it official: 'Brooklyn Nets' for 2012–13 |url=http://www.nba.com/2011/news/09/26/jayz-nets/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927100456/http://www.nba.com/2011/news/09/26/jayz-nets/index.html |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |access-date=December 6, 2011 |publisher=[[National Basketball Association]]}}</ref>

On April 18, 2013, Jay-Z officially announced through his Life + Times website in a press release that he would be relinquishing his ownership in the Brooklyn Nets.<ref>Jay-Z, [http://lifeandtimes.com/brooklyns-finest "Brooklyn's Finest"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422213709/http://lifeandtimes.com/brooklyns-finest|date=April 22, 2016}}, ''Life + Times'', April 18, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2013.</ref> The shares were eventually sold to singer, rapper, actor and entrepreneur [[Will Pan]], making Pan the first American of Taiwanese descent to own a U.S. professional sports franchise.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=April 21, 2013 |title=潘瑋柏買下NBA球隊股份 擠身籃網老闆 |url=http://hk.news.yahoo.com/%E6%BD%98%E7%91%8B%E6%9F%8F%E8%B2%B7%E4%B8%8Bnba%E7%90%83%E9%9A%8A%E8%82%A1%E4%BB%BD-%E6%93%A0%E8%BA%AB%E7%B1%83%E7%B6%B2%E8%80%81%E9%97%86-000010328.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927220210/http://hk.news.yahoo.com/%E6%BD%98%E7%91%8B%E6%9F%8F%E8%B2%B7%E4%B8%8Bnba%E7%90%83%E9%9A%8A%E8%82%A1%E4%BB%BD-%E6%93%A0%E8%BA%AB%E7%B1%83%E7%B6%B2%E8%80%81%E9%97%86-000010328.html |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |access-date=September 5, 2013 |work=Yahoo 新聞香港}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web |title=Pan bought shares of NBA teams place among the Nets owner |url=http://www.best-news.us/news-4362481-Pan-bought-shares-of-NBA-teams-place-among-the-Nets-owner.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927120446/http://www.best-news.us/news-4362481-Pan-bought-shares-of-NBA-teams-place-among-the-Nets-owner.html |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |work=best-news.us}}</ref> Jay-Z's cited Pan's athletic background (he was a team captain of his high school basketball team and played in college), his multitude of musical styles, his influence in the Taiwanese American community, and his business acumen and portfolio (including being the founder and chief executive of software company Camigo Media and a co-founder of streetwear boutique N.P.C [New Project Center]), as reasons why his bid was successful.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

In September 2013, his stake in [[Barclays Center]] was sold for $1.5&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ozanian |first=Mike |date=September 17, 2013 |title=Jay Z Set To Get $1.5 Million For His Barclays Center Stake |work=[[Forbes]] |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2013/09/17/jay-z-set-to-get-1-5-millon-for-his-barclays-center-stake/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102050807/http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2013/09/17/jay-z-set-to-get-1-5-millon-for-his-barclays-center-stake/ |archive-date=November 2, 2013}}</ref>

On April 2, 2013, [[ESPN]] reported Jay-Z's plans to launch his own sports agency, [[Roc Nation Sports]], with a focus on the representation of various professional athletes. The [[sport management]] group is a partnership with [[Creative Artists Agency]].<ref name="ESPNgo">{{cite news |last=Olney |first=Buster |date=April 2, 2013 |title=Robinson Canó hires Jay-Z |newspaper=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/9124684/robinson-cano-new-york-yankees-switching-scott-boras-jay-z |url-status=live |access-date=April 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402233610/http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/9124684/robinson-cano-new-york-yankees-switching-scott-boras-jay-z |archive-date=April 2, 2013}}</ref>  In conjunction with the agency's launch, [[New York Yankees]]'s second baseman [[Robinson Canó]] left agent [[Scott Boras]] to sign with the company. ESPN also mentioned that Jay-Z himself was planning to be a certified sports agent, first in baseball and eventually in basketball and football. In order to represent clients in basketball, he would have to give up his small share of the [[Brooklyn Nets]].<ref name="ESPNgo" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Goble |first=Corban |date=April 2, 2013 |title=Jay-Z Starts Roc Nation Sports Agency, Signs Yankees Player Robinson Canó |newspaper=PitchforkMedia |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/50168-jay-z-starts-roc-nation-sports-agency-signs-yankees-player-robinson-cano/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404092950/http://pitchfork.com/news/50168-jay-z-starts-roc-nation-sports-agency-signs-yankees-player-robinson-cano/ |archive-date=April 4, 2013}}</ref>

In October 2005, he was reported in English media as considering buying a stake of [[Arsenal F.C.]], an English soccer team.<ref>''[http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16226328&method=full&siteid=62484&headline=beyonce-s-rapper-lover-is-after-a-piece-of-arse--name_page.html Beyoncé's Rapper Lover Is After A Piece Of Arse: Jay-Z's Footie Bid] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430090205/http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid%3D16226328%26method%3Dfull%26siteid%3D62484%26headline%3Dbeyonce-s-rapper-lover-is-after-a-piece-of-arse--name_page.html|date=April 30, 2008}}'', ''[[Sunday Mirror]]'', October 9, 2005</ref> Through his conglomerate company Gain Global Investments Network LLC, he had an interest estimated between 2 and 7% in the Aqueduct Entertainment Group (AEG) consortium, which in January 2010 was awarded a contract to operate a 4,500-[[slot machine|slot-machine]] [[racino]] at the [[Aqueduct Race Track]]. Jay-Z became interested in the project after [[New York Governor]] [[David Paterson]] who awarded the contract said there had to be an [[affirmative action]] component to the ownership. Jay-Z was initially approached by casino mogul [[Steve Wynn]], who was also bidding on the contract. On March 9, 2010, Jay-Z and Flake withdrew from the project, and Paterson [[recused]] himself from further involvement.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 9, 2010 |title=Rev. Flake, rapper Jay-Z exit sinking Aqueduct bid – crainsnewyork – March 9, 2010 |url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100309/REAL_ESTATE/100309862 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311230116/http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100309/REAL_ESTATE/100309862 |archive-date=March 11, 2010 |access-date=September 4, 2010 |publisher=Crainsnewyork.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Katz |first=Celeste |date=March 9, 2010 |title=Paterson Recuses Himself From Racino Project – New York Daily News – March 9, 2010 |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/03/paterson-recuses-himself-from.html |url-status=dead |access-date=September 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100813110039/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/03/paterson-recuses-himself-from.html |archive-date=August 13, 2010}}</ref>

=== Media ===
On April 5, 2011, Jay-Z launched the popular culture and [[lifestyle magazine|lifestyle]] online magazine ''Life + Times''. It features content that showcases his high-end tastes in clothing, appliances, and cars. The site design is aesthetically aimed at the [[upwardly mobile]] young male demographic, with sports and music-related posts accompanying those about fashion and design.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Perpetua |first=Matthew |date=April 6, 2011 |title=Jay-Z Launches New Pop Culture Site Life + Times |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jay-z-launches-new-pop-culture-site-life-times-243907/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-date=May 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523002825/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jay-z-launches-new-pop-culture-site-life-times-243907/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Among the music content is the ''Decoded'' series, originating from Jay-Z's [[Decoded (memoir)|memoir of the same name]] and featuring a select rapper deciphering their own lyrics.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bustard |first=Andy |date=August 24, 2012 |title=Gunplay decodes MMG's 'Power Circle' with Life + Times |url=http://soulculture.com/music/gunplay-decodes-mmgs-power-circle-with-life-times-video/ |access-date=January 1, 2021 |website=Soul Culture |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121121956/http://soulculture.com/music/gunplay-decodes-mmgs-power-circle-with-life-times-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2015, after being contacted by the webzine, the DJ and radio host [[Funkmaster Flex]] revealed that he had been contacted in 2013 for a story about a digital app he made at the time, but alleged that the information was instead used to help launch the ''Magna Carta'' Samsung app for the release of Jay-Z's album of the same name. "But I was good with that. I ate that. Everybody's out here hustling", Flex reasoned to ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ellis |first=Stacy-Ann |date=January 16, 2015 |title=Funkmaster Flex On Jay Z's 'Life+Times': 'Your Website Is Trash' |url=https://www.vibe.com/2015/01/funkmaster-flex-jay-z-life-times-beef |access-date=January 1, 2021 |website=Vibe |archive-date=June 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624031705/https://www.vibe.com/2015/01/funkmaster-flex-jay-z-life-times-beef/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2016, he signed a two-year exclusive film and TV Deal with [[Weinstein Company]] and with the deal gives them first-look options to create scripted and unscripted TV projects and film projects, and those projects were in works.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lilah |first=Rose |date=September 29, 2016 |title=Jay Z inks two-year deal with Weinstein Company |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jay-z-signs-exclusive-deal-for-tv-and-movie-with-weinstein-co-news.24423.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930034021/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jay-z-signs-exclusive-deal-for-tv-and-movie-with-weinstein-co-news.24423.html |archive-date=September 30, 2016 |access-date=September 29, 2016 |website=Hotnewhiphop}}</ref> As part of his deal with Weinstein company, he produced a documentary series on the life of [[Kalief Browder]] who was imprisoned for three years and committed suicide upon his release. He also addressed [[racial profiling]] and [[police brutality]] in a conscious manner.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Danny |date=October 7, 2016 |title=Jay Z documents life of Kalief Browder |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jay-z-speaks-on-police-brutality-and-criminal-justice-reform-news.24614.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008171857/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jay-z-speaks-on-police-brutality-and-criminal-justice-reform-news.24614.html |archive-date=October 8, 2016 |access-date=October 7, 2016 |website=HNHH}}</ref>

=== Other ventures ===
Jay-Z also co-owns the [[40/40 Club (venue)|40/40 Club]], an upscale sports bar that started in New York City, and has since expanded to [[Atlantic City]] and [[Chicago]]. In 2008, the 40/40 Club in [[Las Vegas]] was closed down and bought back by the hotel after attendance steadily declined.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.casinocitytimes.com/news/article/40-40-club-closing-to-make-way-for-palazzo-sports-book-174907|title=40/40 Club closing to make way for Palazzo sports book|date=August 28, 2008|first=Howard|last=Stutz|publisher=Casino City Times|access-date=October 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418161002/http://www.casinocitytimes.com/news/article/40-40-club-closing-to-make-way-for-palazzo-sports-book-174907|archive-date=April 18, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2005, Jay-Z became an investor in [[Carol's Daughter]], a line of beauty products, including products for hair, skin, and hands.<ref name="CNN">{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2005/05/18/news/newsmakers/cosmetics/index.htm|title=Will Smith, Jay-Z back beauty line|access-date=April 12, 2010|date=May 18, 2005|publisher=CNN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307194920/http://money.cnn.com/2005/05/18/news/newsmakers/cosmetics/index.htm|archive-date=March 7, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2010, he announced plans to expand his 40/40 Club sports bar chain into as many as 20 airports, joining his Roc Nation business partners, husband and wife Juan and Desiree Perez, in a deal with [[Delaware North]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1653340/jay-z-bringing-his-4040-club-to-airports/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204053543/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1653340/20101201/jay_z.jhtml|url-status=dead|title=Jay-Z Bringing His 40/40 Club To Airports|archive-date=December 4, 2010|website=MTV News}}</ref>

On November 16, 2010, Jay-Z published a [[memoir]] entitled ''Decoded.''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/jay-zs-decoded-hip-hop-barack/story?id=12156033|title=Jay-Z's 'Decoded': From Hip-Hop to Barack and Beyond|last=Marikar|first=Sheila|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=November 16, 2010|access-date=December 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213140738/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/jay-zs-decoded-hip-hop-barack/story?id=12156033|archive-date=December 13, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1652433/20101116/jay_z.jhtml|title=Jay-Z's 'Decoded': The Five Most Revealing Excerpts|last=Crosley|first=Hillary|publisher=[[MTV News]]|date=November 16, 2010|access-date=December 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103063754/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1652433/20101116/jay_z.jhtml|archive-date=January 3, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The memoir was co-signed by [[Dream Hampton]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 28, 2010 |title=Dream Hampton Talks Transforming Jay-Z's "Decoded" |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.13490/title.dream-hampton-talks-transforming-jay-zs-decoded |access-date=February 7, 2023 |website=HipHopDX |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207194414/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.13490/title.dream-hampton-talks-transforming-jay-zs-decoded |url-status=live }}</ref>

Parlux fragrances sued Jay-Z for $18&nbsp;million for the failure of his cologne, ''Gold''. They claim the cologne's failure is due to Jay-Z not doing social media posts and interviews about the cologne. Parlux claims they projected selling $15&nbsp;million the first year, and $35&nbsp;million the second, and subsequent years after the launch. The fragrance sold $14&nbsp;million the first year and $6.1&nbsp;million the second.<ref>{{cite news|title=He's got 99 Problems, But a Breach Might NOT be One|url=http://www.natlawreview.com/article/he-s-got-99-problems-breach-might-not-be-one|access-date=May 12, 2016|work=The National Law Review|publisher=Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP.|date=February 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327015811/http://www.natlawreview.com/article/he-s-got-99-problems-breach-might-not-be-one|archive-date=March 27, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Parlux lost money on the venture and have had constant returns of unsold inventory.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lilah|first=Rose|date=January 26, 2016|title=Jay Z Sued For $18 Million Over Failed Cologne Venture|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jay-z-sued-for-s18-million-over-failed-cologne-venture-news.19808.html|newspaper=Hotnewhiphop|access-date=January 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127084433/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jay-z-sued-for-s18-million-over-failed-cologne-venture-news.19808.html|archive-date=January 27, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

Jay-Z collaborated with [[Cohiba (cigar brand)|Cohiba]] to launch his own cigars.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2014/04/16/inside-jay-zs-cohiba-comador-cigar-venture/|title=Inside Jay Z's Cohiba Comador Cigar Venture|first=Zack O'Malley|last=Greenburg|work=Forbes|access-date=November 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007144426/http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2014/04/16/inside-jay-zs-cohiba-comador-cigar-venture/|archive-date=October 7, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2020, Jay-Z's [[Roc Nation]] partnered with [[BROOKLYN, New York|Brooklyn]]'s [[Long Island University]] to establish the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2020/08/roc-nation-long-island-university-partner-music-sports-entertainment-school|title=Roc Nation Teams With Brooklyn's Long Island University to Open Music, Sports & Entertainment School|website=Complex|access-date=August 6, 2020|archive-date=August 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805154012/https://www.complex.com/music/2020/08/roc-nation-long-island-university-partner-music-sports-entertainment-school|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2020, it was announced that Jay-Z would be join TPCO Holding Corp., a newly formed cannabis products company, in the role of "Chief Visionary Officer".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201124005792/en/Subversive-Capital-Acquisition-Corp.-the-Largest-Cannabis-SPAC-in-History-Announces-Transaction-with-Shawn-%E2%80%9CJAY-Z%E2%80%9D-Carter-Roc-Nation-Caliva-and-Left-Coast-Ventures|title=Subversive Capital Acquisition Corp., the Largest Cannabis SPAC in History, Announces Transaction with Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter, Roc Nation, Caliva and Left Coast Ventures|website=BusinessWire|date=November 24, 2020|access-date=January 2, 2021|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105020225/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201124005792/en/Subversive-Capital-Acquisition-Corp.-the-Largest-Cannabis-SPAC-in-History-Announces-Transaction-with-Shawn-%E2%80%9CJAY-Z%E2%80%9D-Carter-Roc-Nation-Caliva-and-Left-Coast-Ventures|url-status=live}}</ref>

On December 5, 2022, Jay-Z and the Roc Nation announced their partnership with [[Caesars Entertainment]] to build and operate a [[casino hotel]] in Times Square.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MacDonald |first=Michaila |date=December 5, 2022 |title=Roc Nation Joins SL Green and Caesars Entertainment as Partner in Times Square Gaming Bid to Revitalize The World's Top Tourism Destination |url=http://www.rocnation.com/news/roc-nation-joins-sl-green-and-caesars-entertainment/ |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=ROC NATION |language=en-US |archive-date=June 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603184336/https://www.rocnation.com/news/roc-nation-joins-sl-green-and-caesars-entertainment/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The proposal was voted down by a community advisory committee in September 2025.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Wong | first1=Natalie | last2=Cattan | first2=Nacha | title=Caesars' Times Square Casino Bid Ends After NYC Community Vote | website=Bloomberg.com | date=September 17, 2025 | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-17/caesars-times-square-casino-bid-ends-after-nyc-community-vote | access-date=September 17, 2025|postscript=none}}; {{cite web | last=Huston | first=Caitlin | title=Times Square Casino Proposal, Backed By Caesars and Jay-Z, Denied By Advisory Committee | website=The Hollywood Reporter | date=September 17, 2025 | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/nyc-times-square-casino-proposal-denied-1236373490/ | access-date=September 17, 2025}}</ref>

==Relationship with Beyoncé==
[[File:Beyoncé e Jay-Z.jpg|thumb|Jay-Z and Beyoncé performing in November 2009]]
In 2002, Jay-Z and singer [[Beyoncé Knowles]] collaborated on the song "[['03 Bonnie & Clyde]]". He also appeared on Beyoncé's hit single, "[[Crazy in Love]]" the following year, as well as the song "That's How You Like It" from her debut album ''[[Dangerously in Love]]'' (2003). On her second album, ''[[B'Day]]'', he made appearances on the hits "[[Déjà Vu (Beyoncé song)|Déjà Vu]]" and "[[Upgrade U]]". In the video for the latter song, she comically imitates his appearance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Bnr_5DuFpU|title=Beyoncé – Upgrade U (official video)|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=September 4, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501203013/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Bnr_5DuFpU|archive-date=May 1, 2009}}</ref> They kept a low profile while dating, and were married on April 4, 2008, in a private ceremony in [[Tribeca]], New York City.<ref name="peoplemarrige">{{cite web|url=https://people.com/celebrity/source-beyonc-and-jay-z-are-married/|title=Source: Beyoncé and Jay-Z Are Married|access-date=April 4, 2008|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=April 4, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406011340/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20188764,00.html|archive-date=April 6, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> Their relationship became a matter of public record on April 22, 2008,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20194030,00.html|title=Beyoncé and Jay-Z File Signed Marriage License|last1=Ehrich Dowd|first1=Kathy|last2=Clehane|first2=Diane|last3=Helling|first3=Steve|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=April 22, 2008|access-date=April 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422232922/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20194030,00.html|archive-date=April 22, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> although Beyoncé did not publicly debut her US$5&nbsp;million [[Lorraine Schwartz]]-designed wedding ring until the Fashion Rocks concert on September 5, 2008.<ref>"Beyoncé's ring revealed!" ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'', Vol. 70, No. 12, September 22, 2008, pg. 26.</ref> Since their marriage, they generally avoid discussing their relationship,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/yonc-buys-jay-z-private-jet-father-353371|title=Beyoncé Buys Jay-Z $40m Private Jet for Father's Day|last=Owoseje|first=Toyin|date=June 18, 2012|website=[[International Business Times]]|publisher=[[Newsweek Media Group]]|access-date=May 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502064549/https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/yonc-buys-jay-z-private-jet-father-353371|archive-date=May 2, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and Beyoncé has stated her belief that this has helped them, while Jay-Z agreed in a ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' article that they do not "play with [their] relationship".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20145815,00.html|title=The Good Life|first=Michelle|last=Tauber|access-date=August 6, 2009|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=October 25, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604065509/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20145815,00.html|archive-date=June 4, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2006, Beyoncé and Jay-Z were listed as the most powerful couple for ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine's 100 most influential people.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/people/beyonce-jayz-the-richest-pair/2008/11/22/1226770800770.html|title=Beyoncé, Jay-Z the richest pair|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=January 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509070124/http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/people/beyonce-jayz-the-richest-pair/2008/11/22/1226770800770.html|archive-date=May 9, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2009, ''[[Forbes]]'' ranked them as Hollywood's top-earning couple, with a combined total of $162&nbsp;million.<ref name="Powerful couple">{{cite web|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1629585/jayz-beyonce-named-topearning-couple-entertainment.jhtml|title=Jay-Z And Beyoncé Named Top-Earning Couple in Entertainment|publisher=[[MTV News]]|date=January 13, 2010|access-date=January 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110040516/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1629585/jayz-beyonce-named-topearning-couple-entertainment.jhtml|archive-date=November 10, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> They made it to the top of the list the following year, with a combined total of US$122&nbsp;million between June 2008 and June 2009.<ref name="Powerful couple"/>

At the [[2011 MTV Video Music Awards]], Beyoncé revealed that she was pregnant with their first child.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/28/beyonce-pregnant_n_939890.html|title=Beyoncé Pregnant, Flaunts Baby Bump on VMA Red Carpet|work=The Huffington Post|date=August 28, 2011|access-date=August 28, 2011|first=Ellie|last=Krupnick|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924060942/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/28/beyonce-pregnant_n_939890.html|archive-date=September 24, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20302940_20523751,00.html|title=Beyoncé & Jay-Z Expecting a Baby|publisher=People|date=August 28, 2011|access-date=August 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925145021/http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20302940_20523751,00.html|archive-date=September 25, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Their daughter, [[Blue Ivy Carter]], was born at New York's [[Lenox Hill Hospital]] on January 7, 2012.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/513462/beyonce-gives-birth-to-a-baby-girl|title=Beyoncé Gives Birth To a Baby Girl|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=January 8, 2012|access-date=January 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209161425/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/513462/beyonce-gives-birth-to-a-baby-girl|archive-date=February 9, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Jay-Z released "[[Glory (Jay-Z song)|Glory]]", a song dedicated to Blue Ivy, through his Life+Times website on January 9, 2012.<ref name="miscarriage">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-beyonce-baby-idUSTRE80821A20120109|title=Jay-Z reveals Beyoncé's miscarriage in ode to daughter|work=Reuters|date=January 9, 2012|access-date=January 10, 2012|first=Piya|last=Sinha-Roy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110053645/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/09/us-beyonce-baby-idUSTRE80821A20120109|archive-date=January 10, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The song, produced by frequent collaborators [[the Neptunes]], detailed the couple's pregnancy struggles, including a miscarriage Beyoncé had suffered.<ref name="miscarriage"/> Blue Ivy's cries were included at the end of the song, and she was officially credited on the song as "B.I.C"; she became the youngest person in ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' history (at two days old) to have a chart entry once "Glory" debuted at No. 74 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.<ref name="bluebillboard">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/blue-ivy-carter-jay-z-and-beyonce-s-daughter-1005846912.story|title=Blue Ivy Carter, Jay-Z and Beyoncé's Daughter, Becomes Youngest Person Ever to Appear on a Billboard Chart|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=January 11, 2012|access-date=January 11, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140913153704/http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1099533/blue-ivy-carter-jay-z-and-beyonces-daughter-becomes-youngest-person-ever|archive-date=September 13, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On June 18, 2017, Beyoncé's father [[Mathew Knowles]] confirmed that she had given birth to twins with Jay-Z, a daughter named Rumi and a son named Sir.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/18/entertainment/beyonce-babies/index.html|title=Beyoncé and Jay Z welcome twins|first1=Lisa Respers|last1=France|first2=Chloe|last2=Melas|publisher=CNN|access-date=June 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618144225/http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/18/entertainment/beyonce-babies/index.html|archive-date=June 18, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In the following months, they purchased a US$88&nbsp;million home in the [[Bel Air, Los Angeles|Bel Air]] neighborhood of [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/22/inside-jay-z-and-beyonces-mansion-hunting-journey.html|title=Inside Jay Z and Beyonce's mansion-hunting journey|last=Frank|first=Robert|date=August 23, 2017|website=cnbc.com|publisher=CNBC|access-date=January 13, 2019|quote=Jay Z and Beyonce purchased a 30,000-square-foot mansion in Los Angeles' Bel Air neighborhood for $88 million.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113232514/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/22/inside-jay-z-and-beyonces-mansion-hunting-journey.html|archive-date=January 13, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2023, the couple bought a house in [[Malibu, California]], designed by the architect [[Tadao Ando]], for $200&nbsp;million. It established a record for the most expensive residence sold in California.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jack |last=Flemming |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-05-19/beyonce-jay-z-malibu-mansion-200-million-record |title=Jay-Z and Beyoncé drop $200 million on Malibu mansion, setting a record in California |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=May 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520174323/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-05-19/beyonce-jay-z-malibu-mansion-200-million-record |url-status=live |archive-date=May 20, 2023 }}</ref> In 2025, Beyoncé and Jay-Z reportedly began plans to relocate permanently to the United Kingdom. The couple is said to be seeking a residence in the [[Cotswolds]], following Beyoncé's transition into country music and the UK leg of her [[Cowboy Carter Tour|Cowboy Carter World Tour]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-19 |title=Beyoncé and Jay-Z eye stunning UK home |url=https://rollingout.com/2025/04/19/beyonce-jayz-uk-home/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=rollingout.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Legal issues==

=== 1999 Lance "Un" Rivera stabbing ===
On December 2, 1999, Jay-Z, who had come to believe that record executive [[Lance Rivera|Lance "Un" Rivera]] was behind the bootlegging of ''Vol. 3...'', allegedly stabbed him at the Kit Kat Klub, a now-defunct night club in [[Times Square]], New York City, during a release party for [[Q-Tip (rapper)|Q-Tip]]'s album ''[[Amplified (Q-Tip album)|Amplified]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/jay-z-263-1383800|title=JAY-Z GETS THREE YEARS PROBATION|work=[[NME]]|date=December 7, 2001|access-date=October 9, 2023|archive-date=October 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013051339/https://www.nme.com/news/music/jay-z-263-1383800|url-status=live}}</ref> Jay-Z's associates at the party were accused of causing a commotion within the club, which Jay-Z allegedly used as cover while he stabbed Rivera in the stomach with a {{Convert|5|in|spell=in|adj=on|0}} blade.<ref>Handlin, Sam. [http://www.courttv.com/archive/trials/jay-z/101701_ctv.html Jay-Z pleads guilty to stabbing record executive] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109131938/http://www.courttv.com/archive/trials/jay-z/101701_ctv.html |date=January 9, 2009 }}. Courttv.com. October 18, 2001. Retrieved June 18, 2006.</ref> He surrendered to police the following evening and was placed under arrest, although he was soon released on $50,000 [[bail]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/03/nyregion/police-arrest-hip-hop-star-in-a-stabbing-at-a-nightclub.html|title=Police arrest hip-hop star in a stabbing at a nightclub|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 3, 1999|access-date=February 7, 2014|author=Juan Forero|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309043308/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/03/nyregion/police-arrest-hip-hop-star-in-a-stabbing-at-a-nightclub.html|archive-date=March 9, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/01/nyregion/metro-news-briefs-new-york-rapper-is-indicted-in-nightclub-stabbing.html|title=Rapper is indicted in nightclub stabbing|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=February 1, 2000|access-date=February 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309043251/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/01/nyregion/metro-news-briefs-new-york-rapper-is-indicted-in-nightclub-stabbing.html|archive-date=March 9, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> When he was indicted in [[Manhattan Criminal Court]] in late January 2000, he pleaded not guilty; he and his lawyers contended that they had witnesses and videotapes proving he had been nowhere near Rivera during the incident. Nevertheless, he later pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and accepted a three-year [[probation]] sentence.<ref name="guiltyplea">{{cite web|last=D'Angelo|first=Joe|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1450090/20011017/jay_z.jhtml|title=Jay-Z Pleads Guilty To Stabbing, Faces Three Years' Probation|access-date=June 25, 2009|date=October 17, 2001|publisher=MTV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710041009/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1450090/20011017/jay_z.jhtml|archive-date=July 10, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Jay-Z later addressed the case in his 2010 book ''Decoded'':

{{cquote|One night I went to Q-Tip's solo album release party and at some point in the night, I ran into the guy everyone's been telling me is behind the bootleg. So I approached him. When I told him what I suspected, to my surprise, he got real loud with me right there in the middle of the club. It was strange. We separated and I went over to the bar. I was sitting there like, "No the fuck this nigga did not..." I was talking to people, but I was really talking to myself out loud, just in a state of shock. Before I even realized what I was doing, I headed back over to him, but this time I was blacking out with anger. The next thing I knew, all hell had broken loose in the club. That night the guy went straight to the police and I was indicted. [...] There was no reason to put my life on the line, and the lives of everyone who depends on me, because of a momentary loss of control. [...] I vowed to never allow myself to be in a situation like that again.<ref>{{cite book|author=Jay-Z|title=Decoded|url={{Google books|l2i0F2kSwwUC|Decoded|page=162|plainurl=yes}}|page=162|year=2010|publisher=[[Spiegel & Grau]]}}</ref>}}

In 2023, Rivera stated that Jay-Z lied, and was not the one that stabbed him: "No. Jay-Z was not the guy that actually stabbed me that night (...) it's never been his history".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/lance-un-rivera-jay-z-stab-club-incident-1234758615/|title=Lance "Un" Rivera Confirms Jay-Z Didn't Stab Him During 1999 Club Incident|date=May 22, 2023|accessdate=January 21, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2023/05/22/lance-un-rivera-jay-z-did-not-stab-him|title=Lance "Un" Rivera says JAY-Z did not stab him during 1999 incident|website=The FADER|accessdate=January 21, 2024|archive-date=May 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523002836/https://www.thefader.com/2023/05/22/lance-un-rivera-jay-z-did-not-stab-him|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/jay-z-didnt-stab-lance-un-rivera-pleaded-guilty-2023-5|title=22 years after Jay-Z pleaded guilty to stabbing him, Lance 'Un' Rivera says the rapper is innocent|first=Barnaby|last=Lane|website=Business Insider|date=May 22, 2023|accessdate=January 21, 2024|archive-date=May 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523002833/https://www.businessinsider.com/jay-z-didnt-stab-lance-un-rivera-pleaded-guilty-2023-5|url-status=live}}</ref> Rapper Nas, who feuded with Jay-Z in the early 2000s, had also claimed in his 2001 diss track "[[Ether (song)|Ether]]" that Jay-Z was not Rivera's stabber. Rivera commented on this, stating, "The reality to it is Nas — and I don't know why didn't nobody believe him — on 'Ether' he talked about the incident. He let people know like, 'Yo, your man stabbed Un and you took the blame for it.'"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bustard |first=Andy |date=May 21, 2023 |title=JAY-Z Not Responsible For 1999 Stabbing Of Lance 'Un' Rivera, Admits Rivera |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/jay-z-lance-un-rivera-stabbing-not-responsible |access-date=December 26, 2024 |website=HipHopDX}}</ref>

===Civil lawsuits===
In October 2024, an anonymous woman identifying as Jane Doe, with the assistance of hired attorneys Tony Buzbee, David Fortney, and Antigone Curis, filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York, accusing two celebrities of sexual assault at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-04 |title=Jay-Z sues woman who dropped rape claim against him |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y08ye0xm2o |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |date=2025-03-03 |title=Jay-Z Sues Former Accuser and Lawyer Over Sexual Assault Allegations |url=https://variety.com/2025/music/news/jay-z-sues-former-accuser-lawyer-sexual-assault-allegations-1236326747/ |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> A couple months after the initial filing, the lawsuit was amended to name Jay-Z as a defendant. Jay-Z denied the allegations and described it as a blackmail attempt.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jay-z-accused-civil-lawsuit-raping-13-year-old-girl-2000-sean-diddy-co-rcna183376 |title=Jay-Z accused in a civil lawsuit of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000 along with Sean 'Diddy' Combs |date=December 8, 2024 |last=Melas |first=Chloe |publisher=[[NBC News]] |access-date=December 8, 2024}}</ref>

In December 2024, the accuser participated in an interview with [[NBC News]], during which she acknowledged making "mistakes" in her recollection of certain details surrounding the alleged events, while maintaining that the core of her accusation was true.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Flam |first=Charna |date=December 13, 2024 |title=Jay-Z and Diddy accuser acknowledges she made mistakes but stands by rape allegations, report says |url=https://people.com/jay-z-and-diddy-accuser-acknowledges-she-made-mistakes-but-stands-by-rape-allegations-report-8761627 |access-date=2025-10-18 |website=People}}</ref> According to the NBC News investigation, Doe's inconsistencies included her earlier claim that her father picked her up after the alleged assault, something her father says he does not recall as they lived five hours away from New York. She also claimed to have spoken with musician [[Benji Madden]] at the afterparty about his tattoos, but his representatives confirmed he was touring the midwest at the time and did not attend the VMAs. Additionally, photographs from that night showed Jay-Z and Combs in different after-parties, though the precise whereabouts of the rappers over the full time span remain unverified.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Melas |first=Chloe |date=December 14, 2024 |title=Jay‑Z rape accuser comes forward to NBC News, acknowledges inconsistencies in her allegations |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jay-z-rape-accuser-comes-forward-nbc-news-acknowledges-inconsistencies-rcna183435 |access-date=2025-10-18 |publisher=NBC News}}</ref>

On February 14, 2025, the lawsuit against Jay-Z was officially dropped. A filing in federal court in Manhattan stated that the case was voluntarily dismissed with prejudice, not allowing for a future refiling. The suit was dismissed without settlement.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 14, 2025 |title=Woman withdraws civil lawsuit against Jay-Z, Sean 'Diddy' Combs alleging she was raped at age 13 |url=https://www.wbaltv.com/article/lawsuit-withdrawal-jay-z-sean-combs/63803097 |website=[[WBAL-TV]]}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, Jay-Z described the outcome as "a victory."<ref>{{cite web |title=Jay-Z and Sean Combs rape lawsuit dropped by accuser |url=https://news.sky.com/story/jay-z-and-sean-combs-rape-lawsuit-dropped-by-accuser-13309632 |publisher=[[Sky News]] |access-date=February 14, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Jacobs |first1=Julia |title=Jay-Z Accuser Drops Rape Lawsuit Against Him and Sean Combs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/14/arts/jay-z-lawsuit-dismissed.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 14, 2025 |access-date=February 15, 2025}}</ref>

==Philanthropy==
[[File:Jay-Z, Gloria Carter.jpg|thumb|Jay-Z with his mother Gloria Carter in September 2011]]
During his first retirement from music,{{Failed verification |date=July 2020 |reason= Not in source or elsewhere in article}} Jay-Z became involved in philanthropy. In 2003, along with his mother, Jay-Z founded the Shawn Carter Foundation, which assists eligible students facing socio-economic hardships attend and get through college.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shawncartersf.com|title=- Shawn Carter Foundation|work=shawncartersf.com|access-date=May 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401223613/https://www.shawncartersf.com/|archive-date=April 1, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2006, he met with [[Kofi Annan]], then [[Secretary-General of the United Nations]] at the organization's New York City headquarters, where he pledged to use his upcoming world tour to raise awareness of the global [[water shortage]], a challenge he learned about following a visit to Africa by [[Bono]], the lead singer of [[U2]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080130033748/http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-08-09-jay-z-water_x.htm Jay-Z helps UN focus on world water crisis], ''[[USA Today]]'', August 9, 2006. Retrieved June 4, 2006.</ref> The effort took place in partnership with the UN,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/|title=International Decade for Action: Water for Life, 2005–2015|publisher=United Nations|access-date=June 4, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613043733/http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/|archive-date=June 13, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as MTV, which produced a documentary entitled ''Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life'', first airing in November 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mtv.com |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20060922023635/http%3A//www.mtv.com/thinkmtv/features/global/water_for_life/ |url-status=live |archive-date=September 22, 2006 |title=Water for Life |publisher=MTV |access-date=June 4, 2008 }}</ref> Along with [[Sean Combs]], Jay-Z pledged $1&nbsp;million to the [[American Red Cross]]'s relief effort after [[Hurricane Katrina]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/diddy-jay-z-give-1-million-red-cross-wbna9163246|title=Diddy, Jay-Z give $1&nbsp;million to Red Cross|date=September 2, 2005|publisher=[[Today.com]]|access-date=June 4, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003022217/https://www.today.com/popculture/diddy-jay-z-give-1-million-red-cross-wbna9163246|archive-date=October 3, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Jay-Z supported [[Kanye West]] after West's outburst against President [[George W. Bush]] during a [[A Concert for Hurricane Relief|live Katrina charity telethon]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/jay-z-backs-kanye-west-s-telethon-outburst-wbna9248483|title=Jay-Z backs Kanye West's telethon outburst|date=September 7, 2005|publisher=Today.com|access-date=June 4, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205020707/https://www.today.com/popculture/jay-z-backs-kanye-west-s-telethon-outburst-wbna9248483|archive-date=December 5, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> He also addressed the [[Hurricane Katrina disaster relief|Katrina disaster]] and the [[Federal government of the United States|federal government]]'s response in his one-verse song "[[Kingdom Come (Jay-Z album)|Minority Report]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1552173/20070212/jay_z.jhtml|title=For The Record: Quick News On Jay-Z, Metallica, Bow Wow, John Legend, J Dilla, Sufjan Stevens & More|date=February 12, 2007|publisher=MTV|access-date=June 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303162742/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1552173/20070212/jay_z.jhtml|archive-date=March 3, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Jay-Z has said that "the greatest form of giving is anonymous to anonymous". In 2013, author [[dream hampton]], who co-wrote Jay-Z's book ''[[#Further reading|Decoded]]'', revealed that Jay-Z had established a trust fund for [[Sean Bell shooting incident|Sean Bell]]'s children.<ref>''The New York Times'': [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/03/arts/music/03arts-RAPPERCREATE_BRF.html Rapper Creates Trust for Sean Bell's children] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016221552/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/03/arts/music/03arts-RAPPERCREATE_BRF.html |date=October 16, 2015 }}. May 3, 2008. Accessed February 16, 2015.</ref>

Jay-Z donated to bail out protestors arrested during 2015 activism against [[police brutality]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/05/19/entertainment/feat-jay-z-protesters-bail/index.html|title=Writer: Jay Z, Beyonce, donated to bail out protesters|first=Michael|last=Pearson|website=CNN|date=May 19, 2015|access-date=April 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215053901/https://www.cnn.com/2015/05/19/entertainment/feat-jay-z-protesters-bail/index.html|archive-date=December 15, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Glenza|first=Jessica|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/18/jay-z-beyonce-baltimore-ferguson-protests-bail-money|title=Jay Z and Beyoncé bailed out protesters in Baltimore and Ferguson, activist says|date=May 18, 2015|work=The Guardian|access-date=April 27, 2020|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108212346/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/18/jay-z-beyonce-baltimore-ferguson-protests-bail-money|archive-date=January 8, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2020, Jay-Z donated $1 million through the Shawn Carter Foundation to aid in relief during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state)|COVID-19 pandemic in New York]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=McDowelle |first1=Onaje |title=Together Rihanna + Jay-Z Donate $2M To COVID-19 Relief Efforts |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/together-rihanna-jay-z-donate-2m-covid-19-relief-efforts |work=Grammy.com |date=March 31, 2020 |access-date=May 7, 2021 |archive-date=May 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523002844/https://www.grammy.com/news |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2020, along with [[Meek Mill]], he donated over 100,000 face masks to U.S. prisons to assist in protecting prison inmates from [[COVID-19]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Jay-Z, Meek Mill donate 100,000 masks to fight Covid-19 in US prisons |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/jay-z-meek-mill-donate-100000-masks-to-fight-covid-19-in-prisons/articleshow/75010003.cms |work=Economic Times India |date=April 6, 2020 |access-date=May 7, 2021 |archive-date=September 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926170207/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/jay-z-meek-mill-donate-100000-masks-to-fight-covid-19-in-prisons/articleshow/75010003.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Political involvement==
[[File:Jay-Z, Obama, Bruce Springsten 01 (8160159920).jpg|thumb|Jay-Z with [[Barack Obama]] and [[Bruce Springsteen]] at a rally in 2012]]
In 2006, Jay-Z appeared with [[Russell Simmons]] in a public service announcement denouncing racism and [[antisemitism]], sponsored by the [[Foundation for Ethnic Understanding]].<ref>{{cite web|title=We are One-Jay-Z and Russell Simmons| date=November 12, 2006 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNFXHoaf4Vs|publisher=Foundation for Ethnic Understanding|access-date=June 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205202250/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNFXHoaf4Vs|archive-date=December 5, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2008, Jay-Z was  involved in the [[2008 United States presidential election]], supporting enhanced voter participation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2010/10/12/22435436.aspx |title=Daily News&nbsp;– : Jay-Z Gets Political in New PSA To Encourage Voters |publisher=Allhiphop.com |access-date=July 31, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815224300/http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2010/10/12/22435436.aspx |archive-date=August 15, 2011 }}</ref> He supported the 2008 presidential candidacy of [[Barack Obama]] and performed voter-drive concerts financed by the Democrats' campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/01/jay-z-to-perform-at-obama_n_130982.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004014819/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/01/jay-z-to-perform-at-obama_n_130982.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 4, 2008|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|title=Jay-Z To Perform at Obama Voter Drive|date=October 1, 2008}}</ref> He also became acquainted with Obama, who in June 2008 said, "Every time I talk to Jay-Z, who is a brilliant talent and a good guy, I enjoy how he thinks. That's somebody who is going to start branching out and can help shape attitudes in a real positive way."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/13511/73040|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202033150/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/13511/73040|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 2, 2013|title=Inside Barack Obama's &#124; Rolling Stone Music|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=June 25, 2008|access-date=July 31, 2011}}</ref>

During the [[2010 United States elections|2010 mid-term elections]], Jay-Z appeared with other artists in a [[HeadCount]] advertisement, urging voters, especially younger ones, to register and vote.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilkie|first=Christina|url=https://thehill.com/capital-living/in-the-know/72655-rapper-jay-z-hits-the-political-airwaves/|title=Rapper Jay-Z hits the political airwaves|publisher=TheHill.com|date=October 20, 2010|access-date=July 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629022209/http://thehill.com/capital-living/in-the-know/123953-rapper-jay-z-hits-the-political-airwaves|archive-date=June 29, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2012, Jay-Z endorsed President Obama's support of [[same-sex marriage]]<ref>[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/14/jay-z-gay-marriage-obama_n_1516614.html Jay-z, gay marriage stance right thing to do] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319094817/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/14/jay-z-gay-marriage-obama_n_1516614.html |date=March 19, 2016 }} retrieved May 16, 2012</ref> and participated in his re-election campaign.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Jay-Z Speaks Out in Obama Campaign Ad|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/jay-z-speaks-out-in-obama-campaign-ad-474640/|access-date=December 11, 2020|magazine=Billboard|language=en|archive-date=May 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507083639/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/474640/jay-z-speaks-out-in-obama-campaign-ad|url-status=live}}</ref>

Musician and [[Civil rights movement|civil rights]] activist [[Harry Belafonte]] was critical of Jay-Z and Beyoncé for what he saw as their safe political stances, saying that they "have turned their back on social responsibility".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/harry-belafonte-locarno-mitt-romney-359192|date=August 7, 2012|title=Harry Belafonte on Capitalism, Media Moguls, and His Disappointment with Jay-Z and Beyoncé (Q&A)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Alexandra|last=Zawia|access-date=April 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229033244/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/harry-belafonte-locarno-mitt-romney-359192|archive-date=December 29, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the [[2016 U.S. presidential election]], Jay-Z and Beyoncé appeared at a [[Hillary Clinton]] rally in [[Cleveland]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Siddiqui|first=Sabrina|date=November 5, 2016|title=Hillary Clinton backed by Beyoncé and Jay Z in battleground state of Ohio|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/05/im-with-her-beyonce-and-jay-z-back-hillary-clinton-in-battleground-state-of-ohio|access-date=December 11, 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=December 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224172935/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/05/im-with-her-beyonce-and-jay-z-back-hillary-clinton-in-battleground-state-of-ohio|url-status=live}}</ref> Clinton praised Jay-Z for addressing racism, oppression, and the criminal justice system.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/4559543/hillary-clinton-rally-beyonce-jay-z/|title=Beyoncé and Jay Z Headline Rally for Hillary Clinton in Ohio|magazine=Time|language=en|access-date=July 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111173059/http://time.com/4559543/hillary-clinton-rally-beyonce-jay-z/|archive-date=January 11, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He described [[Donald Trump]] as a "superbug" and condemned remarks he perceived as racist,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42853225|title=President Trump hits back at Jay-Z over 'superbug' comments|work=BBC News|date=January 20, 2018|accessdate=August 27, 2022}}</ref> but later said that Trump's rhetoric forced people to come together and address difficult issues such as [[white privilege]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jay-z-trump-enables-ugly-side-of-america-we-wanted-to-believe-was-gone-629607/|title=Jay-Z: Trump Enables 'Ugly Side of America We Wanted to Believe Was Gone'|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=April 5, 2018|accessdate=August 27, 2022|archive-date=August 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827144357/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jay-z-trump-enables-ugly-side-of-america-we-wanted-to-believe-was-gone-629607/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{Main|Jay-Z albums discography|Jay-Z singles discography}}

'''Studio albums'''
* ''[[Reasonable Doubt (album)|Reasonable Doubt]]'' (1996)
* ''[[In My Lifetime, Vol. 1]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter]]'' (1999)
* ''[[The Dynasty: Roc La Familia]]'' (2000)
* ''[[The Blueprint]]'' (2001)
* ''[[The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse]]'' (2002)
* ''[[The Black Album (Jay-Z album)|The Black Album]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Kingdom Come (Jay-Z album)|Kingdom Come]]'' (2006)
* ''[[American Gangster (album)|American Gangster]]'' (2007)
* ''[[The Blueprint 3]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Magna Carta Holy Grail]]'' (2013)
* ''[[4:44]]'' (2017)

'''Collaborative albums'''
*''[[The Best of Both Worlds (Jay-Z and R. Kelly album)|The Best of Both Worlds]]'' with [[R. Kelly]] (2002)
*''[[Unfinished Business (Jay-Z and R. Kelly album)|Unfinished Business]]'' with R. Kelly (2004)
*''[[Watch the Throne]]'' with [[Kanye West]] (2011)
*''[[Everything Is Love]]'' with [[Beyoncé]] (as [[the Carters]]) (2018)

==Filmography==
{{Main|Jay-Z videography}}
*''[[Streets Is Watching (film)|Streets Is Watching]]'' (1998)
*''[[Backstage (2000 film)|Backstage]]'' (2000)
*''[[State Property (film)|State Property]]'' (2002)
*''[[Paper Soldiers]]'' (2002)
*''[[Paid in Full (2002 film)|Paid in Full]]'' (2002, producer)
*''[[Fade to Black (2004 film)|Fade to Black]]'' (2004)
*''[[An Oversimplification of Her Beauty]]'' (2012, co-executive producer)
*''[[The Great Gatsby (2013 film)|The Great Gatsby]]'' (2013, executive producer)
*''[[Made in America (2013 film)|Made in America]]'' (2013, documentary)
*''[[Top Five]]'' (2014, co-producer)
*''[[Annie (2014 film)|Annie]]'' (2014, producer)
*''[[Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story]]'' (2018, executive producer)
*''[[The Harder They Fall (2021 film)|The Harder They Fall]]'' (2021, producer)
*''[[The Book of Clarence]]'' (2023, producer)
*''[[Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé]]'' (2023)

==Tours==

===Headlining===
* Reasonable Doubt Tour (1996)
* Hard Knock Life Tour (1999)<ref>{{cite news|title=Jay-Z, DMX, Method Man, Redman Launch "Hard Knock Life" Tour|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1428207/jay-z-dmx-method-man-redman-launch-hard-knock-life-tour/|publisher=MTV News|access-date=March 29, 2016|date=March 1, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410122031/http://www.mtv.com/news/1428207/jay-z-dmx-method-man-redman-launch-hard-knock-life-tour/|archive-date=April 10, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[The Blueprint#Blueprint Lounge Tour|Blueprint Lounge Tour]] (2001)<ref>{{cite news|title=Jay-Z Announces Blueprint Lounge Tour Dates|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1448413/jay-z-announces-blueprint-lounge-tour-dates/|publisher=MTV News|access-date=March 29, 2016|date=August 27, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410122038/http://www.mtv.com/news/1448413/jay-z-announces-blueprint-lounge-tour-dates/|archive-date=April 10, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Hangar Tour (2006)
* [[American Gangster (album)#Tour|American Gangster Live]] (2007)
* [[Jay-Z Fall Tour]]/Blueprint 3 Tour (2009–2010)
* [[Magna Carter World Tour]] (2013–2014)
* [[4:44 Tour]] (2017)

===Co-headlining===
* Rock the Mic (with [[50 Cent]]) (2003)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Jay-Z, 50 Cent Ready To 'Roc The Mic'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/71279/jay-z-50-cent-ready-to-roc-the-mic|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 29, 2016|date=May 1, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505044555/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/71279/jay-z-50-cent-ready-to-roc-the-mic|archive-date=May 5, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Unfinished Business (R. Kelly & Jay-Z album)#Best of Both Worlds tour|Best of Both Worlds Tour]] (with [[R. Kelly]]) (2004)
* [[Heart of the City Tour]] (with [[Mary J. Blige]]) (2008)
* [[Jay-Z & Ciara Live]] (with [[Ciara]]) (2009)
* [[The Home & Home Tour]] (with [[Eminem]]) (2010)
* [[Watch the Throne Tour]] (with [[Kanye West]]) (2011–2012)
* [[Legends of the Summer Stadium Tour]] (with [[Justin Timberlake]]) (2013)
* [[On the Run Tour (Beyoncé and Jay-Z)|On the Run Tour]] (with [[Beyoncé]]) (2014)
* [[On the Run II Tour]] (with Beyoncé) (2018)

===Supporting===
* No Way Out Tour (with [[Sean Combs|Puff Daddy]] & [[Bad Boy Records]]) (1997)<ref>{{cite news|title=Jay-Z Quits No Way Out Tour|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1430572/jay-z-quits-no-way-out-tour/|publisher=MTV News|access-date=March 29, 2016|date=December 8, 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407065306/http://www.mtv.com/news/1430572/jay-z-quits-no-way-out-tour/|archive-date=April 7, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Projekt Revolution#2008|Projekt Revolution 2008 Europe]] (with [[Linkin Park]]) (2008)
* [[Viva la Vida Tour]] (with [[Coldplay]]) (2008)<ref>{{cite web|title=Coldplay European Tour Support|url=http://coldplay.com/european-tour-support-acts-announced/|publisher=coldplay.com|access-date=August 2, 2016|date=June 19, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820042310/http://coldplay.com/european-tour-support-acts-announced/|archive-date=August 20, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[U2 360° Tour]] (with [[U2]]) (2009–2011)

==Books==
* ''[[Decoded (memoir)|Decoded]]'' by Jay-Z (2010: [[Random House#Random House Publishing Group|Spiegel & Grau]], 336 pages), {{ISBN|978-1-4000-6892-0}}. Part memoir and part a collection of Jay-Z lyrics with the stories behind them.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=131334322 "Jay-Z 'Decoded{{'"}}] ({{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316214359/http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=131334322 |date=March 16, 2016 }}), ''[[Fresh Air]]'' interview transcript, November 16, 2010. Retrieved November 16, 2010.</ref>

==Awards and nominations==
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Jay-Z}}
In 2006, he was [[enstooled]] as the '''Sarkin Waka''' of Kwara in the [[Nigerian chieftaincy system]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/200610091127.html|title=We Are Ready For Foreign Collaboration|work=Allafrica.com}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of celebrities who own cannabis businesses]]
* [[List of artists who reached number one in the United States]]
* [[List of best-selling music artists]]
* [[List of largest music deals]]
* [[List of celebrities by net worth]]
* [[Murder Inc. (rap group)|Murder Inc.]]
* [[The Carters]]
* [[Kanye West|The Throne]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|last1=Greenburg|first1=Zack O'Malley|title=Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went from Street Corner to Corner Office|date=2011|publisher=Portfolio/Penguin|location=New York|isbn=978-1-59184-381-8|ref=none}}
* {{cite book|first=Paul|last=Edwards|title=How to Rap: The Art and Science of the Hip-Hop MC|date=2009|publisher=Chicago Review Press|location=Chicago|isbn=9781556528163|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/howtorapartscien00edwa}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q62766|c=Category:Jay-Z|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|wikt=no|s=no|species=no}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{IMDb name}}

{{Jay Z|state=expanded}}
{{Jay-Z singles}}
{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Jay-Z|Awards for Jay-Z]]
|list =
{{American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist}}
{{BET Award for Best Collaboration}}
{{BET Award for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist}}
{{BET Award for Video of the Year}}
{{Brit International Male}}
{{Brit International Group}}
{{EmmyAward VarietySpecialDirecting}}
{{GLAAD Vanguard Award}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Music Video}}
{{Grammy Award for Best R&B Song}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Rap Album}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Rap Song}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance}}
{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Collaboration}}
{{MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B Video}}
{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video}}
{{MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year}}
{{NAACP Image Award – President's Award}}
{{2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{The Carters|state=autocollapse}}
{{Beyoncé}}
{{Roc Nation}}
{{Roc-A-Fella Records}}
{{Def Jam Recordings}}

{{Portal bar|Biography|Business|Music|New York City|Record production|United States}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jay-Z}}
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