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JAY-Z


BIO:
Embodying the rags-to-riches rap dream, Jay-Z pulled himself up by his bootstraps as a youth to eventually become the reigning rapper of New York City and, in turn, a major-label executive following his short-lived retirement from music-making. In the wake of his 1996 debut, Reasonable Doubt, Jay-Z's albums sold millions upon millions with each release, and his endless parade of hits made him omnipresent on urban radio and video television. He retained a strongly devoted fan base and challenged whatever rivals attempted to oust him from atop the rap game, sparring most memorably with Nas. Jay-Z and his Roc-a-Fella associates greatly influenced the industry and established many of the trends that pervaded during the late '90s and early 2000s. He consistently worked with the hottest producers of the day (Clark Kent, DJ Premier, Teddy Riley, Trackmasters, Erick Sermon, Timbaland, Swizz Beatz), and if they weren't hot at the time, they likely would be afterward (the Neptunes, Kanye West, Just Blaze, 9th Wonder). He similarly collaborated with the hottest rappers in the industry, everyone from East Coast contemporaries like the Notorious B.I.G. ("Brooklyn's Finest") and DMX ("Cash, Money, Hoes"), to the best rappers from the South (Ludacris, Missy Elliott) and the West Coast (Snoop Dogg, Too Short). After his self-declared retirement from rapping in 2003, he assumed the presidency of the seminal rap label Def Jam and, as an industry executive, embarked on another phase in his illustrious career. Born in 1969 and raised in the rough Marcy Projects of Brooklyn, NY, Jay-Z underwent some tough times after his father left his mother before the young rapper was even a teen. Without a man in the house, he became a self-supportive youth, turning to the streets, where he soon made a name for himself as a fledging rapper. Known as "Jazzy" in his neighborhood, he soon shortened his nickname to Jay-Z and did all he could to break into the rap game. As he vividly discusses in his lyrics, Jay-Z also became a street hustler around this time, doing what needed to be done to make money. For a while, he ran around with Jaz-O, aka Big Jaz, a small-time New York rapper with a record deal but few sales. From Jaz he learned how to navigate through the rap industry and what moves to make. He also participated in the group Original Flavor for a short time. Jay-Z subsequently decided to make an untraditional decision and start his own label rather than sign with an established label like Jaz had done. Together with friends Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, he created Roc-a-Fella Records, a risky strategy for cutting out the middleman and making money for himself. Once he found a reputable distributor, Priority Records (and then later Def Jam), Jay-Z finally had everything in place, including a debut album, Reasonable Doubt (1996).

Latest Articles


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by Michael Major - March 20, 2024

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Halle Bailey Drops New Single 'In Your Hands' Photo Halle Bailey Drops New Single 'In Your Hands'
by Michael Major - March 15, 2024

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Five Finger Death Punch Set U.S. Tour With Marilyn Manson & Slaughter to Prevail Photo Five Finger Death Punch Set U.S. Tour With Marilyn Manson & Slaughter to Prevail
by Michael Major - March 08, 2024

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Cold Hart & BONES Share Tender Acoustic Single 'Light Headed' Photo Cold Hart & BONES Share Tender Acoustic Single 'Light Headed'
by Michael Major - February 28, 2024

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Justin Timberlake Drops New Track 'Drown' & UK Leg of Tour Photo Justin Timberlake Drops New Track 'Drown' & UK Leg of Tour
by Michael Major - February 23, 2024

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by Michael Major - February 22, 2024

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by Michael Major - February 09, 2024

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ZZ Returns With New Single 'Russian Roulette Catchin' Z's' Feat. Tiana Photo ZZ Returns With New Single 'Russian Roulette Catchin' Z's' Feat. Tiana
by Michael Major - February 07, 2024

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Jermaine Dupri and So So Def Recordings Inks Multi-Year Deal with Create Music Group Photo Jermaine Dupri and So So Def Recordings Inks Multi-Year Deal with Create Music Group
by Michael Major - February 07, 2024

The new partnership will bring the legendary label and all its recordings, publishing, as well as its historic So So Def Recordings back catalog to Create Music Group. In addition, the new collaboration will launch new music and new artists under the direction of GRAMMY Award-winning producer, hall ...

Video: Infinity Song Release Live Performance Video Of Viral Song 'Slow Burn' Photo Video: Infinity Song Release Live Performance Video Of Viral Song 'Slow Burn'
by Michael Major - January 30, 2024

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Gigi Gorgeous Getty & Anthony Allen Ramos to Host GLAAD's GRAMMYs Red Carpet Coverage Photo Gigi Gorgeous Getty & Anthony Allen Ramos to Host GLAAD's GRAMMYs Red Carpet Coverage
by Michael Major - January 30, 2024

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Justin Timberlake Releases New Single 'Selfish' Photo Justin Timberlake Releases New Single 'Selfish'
by Michael Major - January 25, 2024

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by Michael Major - January 24, 2024

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Cold Hart Announces New Album 'Pretty In The Dark', Drops Music Video For '2017' Feat Photo Cold Hart Announces New Album 'Pretty In The Dark', Drops Music Video For '2017' Feat. GOTHBOICLIQUE
by Michael Major - January 24, 2024

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by Michael Major - January 12, 2024

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Video: Jeymes Samuel Reveals 'Hallelujah Heaven' Visual With Samuel, Lil Wayne, Buju Photo Video: Jeymes Samuel Reveals 'Hallelujah Heaven' Visual With Samuel, Lil Wayne, Buju Banton & Shabba Ranks
by Michael Major - December 21, 2023

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James Fauntleroy Unveils 'The Warmest Winter Ever' Photo James Fauntleroy Unveils 'The Warmest Winter Ever'
by Michael Major - December 08, 2023

It collates fan favorites previously only available on Soundcloud: Warmest Winter Ever (2014) and Warmest Winter Ever II (2016). Last month, eight brand new tracks—“Bad Bad Bad,” “Bring That Shit To Santa,” “Christmas List,” “Magic,” “Miracle,” “Mrs. Claus,” “Sleigh,” and “Unwrapped”—were unveiled a...

Jon Platt To Receive GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons Honor At The 2024 Pre-GRAMMY Gal Photo Jon Platt To Receive GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons Honor At The 2024 Pre-GRAMMY Gala
by Michael Major - December 07, 2023

Commended for his indisputable impact on the music business, Sony Music Publishing Chairman and CEO Jon Platt is the 2024 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons honoree. The Recording Academy and Clive Davis will celebrate Platt's achievements at the renowned Pre-GRAMMY Gala preceding the 66th Annual GRAMM...

Bonzie Releases New Single 'Spiritual Violence' With Teo The Artist Photo Bonzie Releases New Single 'Spiritual Violence' With Teo The Artist
by Michael Major - December 05, 2023

The R&B-infused track, written, produced and engineered by BONZIE, is a haunting tale of personal trauma and evolution, representing the shattering and dismantling of a certain intangible violence. Utilizing the unique voice of Chicago rapper Teo The Artist on his crushing verse, “Spiritual Violence...

AZ Releases New Album 'Truth Be Told' Featuring Appearances Fat Joe & Pharoahe Monch Photo AZ Releases New Album 'Truth Be Told' Featuring Appearances Fat Joe & Pharoahe Monch
by Michael Major - December 01, 2023

The album features appearances and production from Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, T-Pain, The Alchemist, Conway The Machine, Dave East, Pete Rock, Statik Selektah, Idris Elba, Bink, Buckwild, Kaygee, Heatmakerz, Rockwilder, and Baby Paul, Doe Or Die II was a mainstay at the top of the DSP charts up...

Listen: Hear the First Song From THE BOOK OF CLARENCE Film With Lil Wayne, Buju Banto Photo Listen: Hear the First Song From THE BOOK OF CLARENCE Film With Lil Wayne, Buju Banton & Shabba Ranks
by Michael Major - November 29, 2023

'Hallelujah Heaven' by Jeymes Samuel ft. Lil Wayne, Buju Banton & Shabba Ranks is the first track released from the highly anticipated film 'The Book of Clarence.' The track, written and produced by Samuel. The official soundtrack will feature collaborations with Jay-Z, Jorge Ben Jor, Kid Cudi, Adek...

AIN'T TOO PROUD Star Jalen Harris Releases Pop Debut 'ManneKin The EP' Photo AIN'T TOO PROUD Star Jalen Harris Releases Pop Debut 'ManneKin The EP'
by Michael Major - November 28, 2023

Jalen Harris announced the release of ManneKin The EP, his debut collection. He is a former Simba actor for the Tony Award-winning and critically acclaimed Disney’s The Lion King North American Broadway Tour and is currently on the road starring as Eddie Kendricks of The Temptations in the renowned ...

AZ & Fat Joe Release 'How We Get It' From New LP 'Truth Be Told' Photo AZ & Fat Joe Release 'How We Get It' From New LP 'Truth Be Told'
by Michael Major - November 24, 2023

Featuring appearances and production from Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, T-Pain, The Alchemist, Conway The Machine, Dave East, Pete Rock, Statik Selektah, Idris Elba, Bink, Buckwild, Kaygee, Heatmakerz, Rockwilder, and Baby Paul, Doe Or Die II was a mainstay at the top of the DSP charts upon its re...

James Fauntleroy Announces Debut Solo Album 'The Warmest Winter Ever' Photo James Fauntleroy Announces Debut Solo Album 'The Warmest Winter Ever'
by Michael Major - November 17, 2023

Setting the stage for the record, Fauntleroy shares eight new tracks from the LP, including “Bad Bad Bad,” “Bring That Shit To Santa,” “Christmas List,” “Magic,” “Miracle,” “Mrs. Claus,” “Sleigh,” and “Unwrapped.” With the full project release, on December 8, James will roll out the final track “The...

Jalen Harris Releases Single 'Delicious' Photo Jalen Harris Releases Single 'Delicious'
by Michael Major - November 15, 2023

Actor, model and singer Jalen Harris has announced the release of his addictive new single and video “Delicious,” that was produced by Matt Wilder (Warner, Sony) & Jai Widdowson-Jones (Jay Z, Tyler the Creator). Watch the new music video now! Plus, check out upcoming tour dates....











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