American artist, rapper, songwriter and producer. JAŸ-Z was born on December 4, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in the Marcy Projects. During his more than 30 years in the entertainment industry, he has left an enduring mark on music and popular culture. In 1994, the then up-and-coming rapper started his first independent record label, Roc-A-Fella Records, under which he released his early works, including the breakthrough album, Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt. Shortly after, he opened his own recording studio, Baseline Studios, in 2000. Having quickly gained notoriety and respect in the music industry, JAŸ-Z took on the role of President at Def Jam Recordings in 2004, maintaining the position until 2007. The following year, he co-founded Roc Nation with Desiree Perez (CEO), Jay Brown (Vice Chairman), Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith (President of A&R), and Juan Perez (2) (President of Roc Nation Sports). Established to empower artists and help them achieve long-standing careers, Roc Nation is now a globally revered entertainment organization that represents chart-topping artists like Rihanna, Lil Uzi Vert, Alicia Keys, and Megan Thee Stallion. In 2015, JAŸ-Z became a co-owner of music streaming platform Tidal (3). Among his many achievements, JAŸ-Z has won 25 GRAMMYs, 21 BET Hip-Hop Awards, nine BET Awards, seven Billboard Music Awards, and three American Music Awards. He was the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017 and subsequently, the first living solo hip-hop artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021. During the 2024 GRAMMY Awards ceremony, JAŸ-Z became the second-ever recipient of the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award for his accomplishments as a businessman and philanthropist over his multi-decade career and remarkable legacy in music and entertainment. In 2025, his first album, “Reasonable Doubt,” was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame. The New York Times Magazine named JAŸ-Z one of the “30 Greatest Living American Songwriters” in 2026. In 2026, JAŸ-Z came back to the stage with performances at Yankee Stadium in New York City, Stade de France in Paris, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The performances are viewed as a tribute to a remarkable body of work and cultural impact. Designed as retrospective events, the shows reflect on the music, innovation, and influence that helped elevate hip-hop to new heights.
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