Jay-Z

Shawn Corey Carter was born December 4, 1970. Better known as Jay-Z. Hip Hop mogul and businessman.

Originally Jay-Z is from Marcy Houses projects in Bedford-Stuyvesant, of Brooklyn New York. Abandoned by his father. Jay-Z became a product of a single parent home.He attended Eli Whitney High School in Brooklyn with rapper AZ until the school closed down. Afterwards he attended George Westinghouse Information Technology High School, where he became friends with Nortorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes at Trenton Central High School. Although in the 6th grade he was testing on a 12th grade level, he did not graduate from high school, he dropped out to deal drugs.Which he attest to in his music. Gloria Carter (mother) reminisce on the nights young Jay-Z would wake his siblings to the sound of him creating drum beats on the kitchen table.His mother soon bought a boom box for his birthday, which peaked his interest in music. He began freestyling, writing rhymes and entering rap battles. It is stated that "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony" member "Bizzy Bone" employer had taken him to New York to battle Jay

which was reported to be a victorious battle for Jay-Z.

People knew him as "Jazzy" which quickly turned into the stage name "Jay-Z" another reason to pay homage to his music mentor "Jaz-O" also to the J/Z subway lines that would stop at Marcy Avenue in Brooklyn.

After the days of being CEO of Def Jam, Jay-Z decided it was time start his own independent label, but no record company was willing to offer him a contract. So with two of his partners, he formed Roc-A-Fella Records and in 1996 released "Reasonable Doubt" which put him on the map as one of the major rappers of our time. Jay decided it was time to leave the drug dealing behind and build his empire, but in 1999 he was arrested for stabbing a record executive in a New York club. And in 2001 he was charged with possession of a loaded handgun. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years' probation. Also with the reputation of a realist and a very smart man,Jay realized how fast everything he had worked hard for, could be over. With that he layed the thug image down and the birth of Jay-Z the businessman was born.

Today Jay-Z wears many titles, Rapper,Songwriter, Executive Producer,Fashion Designer. He co-owns the "40/40 club and the New Jersey Nets, as well as husband to the beautiful Beyonce. Having sold over 26 million units in the United States and receiving several Grammy Awards. He is definitely a artist worth featuring.

"With education comes refinement. I'm hungry for knowledge. The whole thing is to learn everyday, to get brighter and brighter. That's what you should be doing your whole time on this planet. Then you feel like, my life is worth everything, and yours is too."