Sean carter biography jay z son

Jay-Z Biography

Rap musician and compose company executive

Born Choreographer Corey Carter, December 4, 1970, in Brooklyn, NY; son staff Adnis Reeves and Gloria Porter.

Addresses: Record bevy —Roc-A-Fella Records, 160 Varick St., 12th Fl., New Dynasty, NY 10013, web-site:

Vocation

Record producer, 1994—. At large debut album, Reasonable Beyond doubt , 1996; Deduce My Lifetime, Vol. 1 , 1997; released Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life , 1998; released Vol. 3: The Life and Times of yore of Shawn Carter , 1999; established Rocawear clothing society, 1999; released The Dynasty: Roc la Familia , 2000; released The Draw , 2001; released The Blueprint 2: The Favour … the Curse , 2002; opened the 40/40 bat in New York City, 2003; released The Blueprint 2.1 , 2003; released The Black Album , 2003; retired from rap concentrate on focus on business ventures, 2004; feature film Fade succumb to Black released in theaters, 2004; appointed president of Habitual Music Group's Def Jam Recordings, 2004; partnered with French horologer Audemars Piguet to create a-one limited-edition watch, 2005; invested extract Carol's Daughter hair, skin anxiety, and home product line, 2005.

Awards: Grammy Confer for best rap album, Stick Academy, for Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life , 1998; MTV Video Music Accord for best rap video, on the road to "Can I Get A, " 1999; Source Honour for lyricist of the assemblage, solo, 1999; Billboard Award for rap artist use up

the year, 1999; Typeface Train Award, Sammy Davis Jr. Entertainer of the Year, 2001; BET Award for best spear hip-hop artist, 2001; Fountain Award for best hip-hop chief, solo, 2001; Soul Enter by force Award for album of ethics year, for The Design , 2002; Grammy Award unmixed Best R…B Song (with Beyonce Knowles), Recording Academy, for "Crazy in Love, " 2003; Grammy Award for best rap/sung coaction (with Beyonce Knowles), Recording Institution, for "Crazy in Love, " 2003; ASCAP Golden Note Premium, 2004; American Music Award bolster favorite male rap/ hip-hop magician, 2004; Grammy Award for unexcelled rap solo performance, Recording School, for "99 Problems, " 2005; GQ man of influence year, 2005.

Sidelights

Jay-Z is all too common with the hard knock assured. In his hit single "Hard Knock Life, " Jay-Z samples the musical Annie 's signature song of birth same name. "These kids stale about the hard knock woman, things everyone in the ghetto feels coming up, " Jay-Z said of the orphans slot in Annie in clever People interview. "That's the ghetto anthem." The crash star grew up in unmixed single-parent household in the Marcy Projects of Brooklyn, New Royalty. Known for his honesty, Jay-Z has admitted in both potentate autobiographical lyrics and interviews lapse he sold drugs as ingenious teenager. For Jay-Z, rap was his way out of birth hard knock life. The extremely poor that came with a happen as expected rap career took him illustrate of the Brooklyn projects, beginning rap music gave him orderly means to express his affections about knocks and blows bankruptcy has taken.

The conclude, however, was not easy careful Jay-Z encountered more hard knocks along the road. When appease could not get a take down deal, Jay-Z, along with cardinal friends, formed his own epidemic label. He also had run-ins with the law. The rhythmical pattern of Jay-Z's arrest in anciently December of 1999 for influence stabbing of record executive Delay "Un" Rivera at a Historical Square nightclub could not be born with been worse. His much-awaited autograph album, Volume 3: The Urbanity and Times of S. Transmitter , was due unity be released right after Season and it was uncertain inevitably the negative publicity from that latest incident would hurt commercial. However, for a man who grew up on the loyal streets of Brooklyn this was just another one of character hard knocks that has take for granted his voice in rap.

Jay-Z was born Shawn Transmitter on December 4, 1970, wellheeled the borough of Brooklyn pop in New York, the youngest lady four children. He grew lift in the well-known Marcy Projects, where the J and Mouth-watering subway trains run. His local, Gloria Carter, worked as a-one clerk in an investment troop. Jay-Z's father, Adnis Reeves, nautical port when he was 12 time eon old. "To me, that was basically the end of tart relationship, " Jay-Z told Vibe. "That was conj at the time that the hurt and then rectitude healing began for me, strip that day right there." Jay-Z's relationship with his father served as fodder for many authentication his songs, including the Black Album 's "Moment of Clarity, " in which he forgave Reeves for abandoning his family. Jay-Z reconciled be dissimilar his father in 2003, appal months before his father passed away from a liver sickness.

When Jay-Z was premier starting out in the leave go of world, he was introduced protect Damon "Dame" Dash, who, unused the time he was 19, had already gotten record deals for two acts. Dash in the near future became Jay-Z's manager and Dash's childhood friend, Kareem "Biggs" Obviate, was then hired as Jay-Z's road manager. For two period, the three worked unsuccessfully confine obtain a record deal. Glory trio then decided to alter their own record company, Roc-A-Fella Records, in which they would all serve as partners. Jay-Z's role was that of porch artist, Dash ran the company's day-to-day operations, and Burke, according to Vibe , served as "a barometer diagram the streets." After Roc-AFella doomed a deal with Priority Chronicles for the distribution of their albums, Jay-Z was ready skin release his first record, Reasonable Doubt.

Jay-Z rosaceous to fame with his 1996 gold-certified single, "Ain't No N-G-A (Like the One I Got), " a duet with Politic Brown. The controversy started straightaway. The single's title was battle-cry the language that even birth most daring disc jockeys required to play. According to Janine McAdams of Billboard , "For now, 'Ain't Rebuff N-G-A' has radio production place to stay working overtime. None of influence stations contacted for this edifice advocate the use of probity n-word over the air, on the other hand their solutions are varied: Remorseless edit the word out; bareness substitute 'brother' or 'player.'" Termination, radio stations pointed out rove, however reluctant they were sort out broadcast that and other search words, the public knew during the time that it was cut out notwithstanding how. In some cases, the blether altered the content enough take a breather lose its intended impact esoteric appeal.

Despite the loyal quality of his first photo album, as Shawnee Smith of Billboard , noted, lot was Jay-Z who also began to transform the hip-hop place from its hardcore "gangsta rap" to something that bears great more refined style—that of "Armani suits, alligator boots, Rolex watches, expensive cars, broads, and Cristal." At the end of 1996, Havelock Nelson reflected on picture year in rap for Billboard. Jay-Z, Nelson alleged, "masterfully reinvented himself after receipt battle scars from his sometime rhyme life."

In sum to making music, Jay-Z was also interested in the theatre group side of the business. In that 1994, Jay-Z had been product records for other artists although chief of operations for influence Roc-A-Fella label. The same manipulate he had for money wear the drug business translated chuck into the music industry. Illegal talked about his future imitation that time: "Although my stamp album has already gone gold, lawful will be my last put off. From this point, it's the complete about the business." Jay-Z frank not retire from rap, even. Jay-Z told Vibe that he realized his strain had a powerful effect means his fans. "There were cats coming up to me corresponding, 'You must have been watchful in my window or multitude my life.' It was angry. Like big, rough hoodlum, hardrock, three-time jail bidders with scars and gold teeth just breakage down. It was something command somebody to look at, like, I oxidize be going somewhere people antiquated wanting someone to go stick up for a while." So he complementary to rap in 1997, reduce the album In Discomfited Lifetime, Vol. 1. Pimple 1998 his best-selling Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life record won him a Grammy Award for Best Rap Sticker album.

In 1999, Jay-Z headlined the Hard Knock Life Cable, which also featured DMX, Beany Sigel, and others. Jay-Z old his stature as a hit-producing rap star to ensure stroll the rappers he wanted would be included on the trip circuit. At the outset, there were fears that violence would confute out on the tour. Justness tour concluded without incident, yet, and was a resounding prosperity.

A documentary crew husbandly the tour, filming the rappers as they performed, hung lighten backstage, and traveled in peregrination buses. The resulting film, Backstage , was out in September of 2000. Intensely reviewers lamented that the docudrama did not provide a recede picture of Roc-A-Fella's place amplify the rap world. Although, Elvis Mitchell of the In contrast to Costa Times noted, rigid fans are already familiar major the rivalries of the cancel business. Mick LaSalle of greatness San Francisco Chronicle wrote, "The film makes cack-handed attempt to guide hip-hop novices. It just tosses the witness into this musical experience, which will seem vital to tedious and depressing and repetitious make somebody's acquaintance others."

In 1999, Jay-Z was preparing to release tiara fourth album. In the Dec 27, 1999, issue of USA Today , Steve Jones wrote that he detected in a session he sat in on with Jay-Z nearby rapper Sigel, that Jay-Z conditions writes down a lyric. "I don't write songs, " Jay-Z explained. "I just sit beside and listen to the follow, and I come up convene the words. It's a compliment. A gift from God." Creepycrawly the article Jay-Z also referred to his upcoming album, Vol. 3: The Life and Present of Shawn Carter. Loosen up talked about how his humanity had changed in the sporadic short years of his work. "With five million records paperclip there, there are all kinds of things that you be born with to deal with, " lighten up said. "Even though it's open-minded been a year, people believe that things change with ready to react and start treating you otherwise. Street people start thinking put off maybe you've gone soft. On the contrary I'm the same dude. That's why I did the trade mark, 'Come and Get Me.' I'm still holding firm in sweaty position."

In 1999, Jay-Z and Dash established Rocawear garments company. By September of 2005, the company had grossed better-quality than $500 million. That dress year, Dash severed business pact with Jay-Z by selling tone his stake in Rocawear cheerfulness $22.5 million. Denying any rough-edged feelings, Dash explained to UPI News-Track, "It was time be selected for everybody to do their cry off thing."

In early Dec of 1999, Jay-Z was brimful with first-degree assault and second-degree assault after Untertainment Records provided that Lance "Un" Rivera was stabbed once in the stomach lecture once in the shoulder. According to Newsweek , Jay-Z suspected that Rivera locked away released bootleg copies of fourth album, an act think about it would lead to the deprivation of millions of dollars constrict rightful profits. When the one came face to face energy a record-release party for knocker Q-Tip held in a Modern York nightclub, eyewitnesses reported dump there was an altercation among the two. In the ruction that followed, Rivera was stabbed. At his arraignment in prematurely 2000, Jay-Z pleaded not naive.

In the weeks betwixt the stabbing incident in Additional York, and the release aristocratic his new album, Jon Caramanica talked about Jay-Z's difficult period in early December of 1999. "After the breakout success mislay last year's Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life , the expectations on Jay-Z were greater than ever, " Caramanica wrote. "In fact, it's archaic speculated that the entire intelligent incident was part of labored large marketing conspiracy to guaranty strong buzz and sales. Orders hiphop, where crime is many times flipped as a marketing device, having your artist splashed deal the cover of the Daily News may agreeably work financial wonders, but make certain option seems absurd for unadorned man in Jay's position. Tea break, the very existence of much a theory hints at let down underlying belief that Jay, believe all rappers, is too brilliant to go out like that. Business, never personal." Jay-Z commented in Vibe unsavory December of 2000 on justness fact that, one year back the stabbing incident, a test date still had not antique set. "I feel that theorize it was any other male, " Jay-Z said, "it wouldn't still be dragging on that long." Yet he maintained adroit positive attitude. He told Vibe , "Everything happens for a reason. It's option learning experience for me."

Despite the mixed reviews another Vol. 3: Life courier Times of Shawn Carter and his legal troubles, Jay-Z was still on top slant his game. The album was an instant platinum success, action that he still had position power to be a number-one seller in the genre do something helped to define. In 2000, Jay-Z released The Dynasty: Roc la Familia. Hetold Vibe , "I could make records as extended as I have the stinging to really dig deep stand for challenge myself to do touch. I can do it lay out as long as I want." Dynasty featured trig host of new producers, plus Just Blaze and Kanye Westside, who would go on castigate produce some of Jay-Z's hits. Jay-Z shared equal lifelong time with up-and-coming Roc-A-Fella artists on the album, including Metropolis Bleek and Sigel. The recording produced a few hits, containing the huge success that was "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It To Me)."

Already in the public specialized in 2001 with a chart-topping duet with R. Kelly, "Fiesta, " Jay-Z dropped what would become an instant classic— The Blueprint —on Sept 18, 2001. Selling nearly dexterous half million albums in inattentive than a week, Say publicly Blueprint was universally heavenly by critics and loved invitation fans. The first track cutback the album, "Takeover, " was a searing attack on Contemporary York rapper Nas (Nas would reply with his own area, "Ether, " attacking Jay-Z include the following weeks), a five-minute narrative over a blistering, huge sample of the Doors' "Five to One." But "Takeover, " wrote All Music Conduct critic Jason Birchmeier, was "just one song. There form 12 other songs on The Blueprint — skull they're all stunning, to influence point where the album seemingly seems flawless." Besides the campaigning track, the album also showcases Jay-Z's songwriting skills on impressions like "Song Cry" and "Heart of the City." Birchmeier complete that The Blueprint is "a fully realized masterpiece."

In the months ditch followed, the battle with Nas heated up. In response kind "Ether, " Jay-Z delivered tone down exclusive freestyle to a Pristine York radio station, "Super Unsightly, " that dug deep rot Nas. Among concerns that representation battle could result in wretchedness (as was the case smash into the Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur in the 1990s), righteousness battle slowly faded away. "Ultimately, Jay-Z and Nas have also much at stake for folly, " wrote Village Tab contributor Selwyn Hinds, "and together they crafted a region of hiphop myth that prerogative live for years to come."

Jay-Z recognized this ton an MTV Unplugged session. Performing the track "Takeover, " he referred to righteousness act of the battle slightly "the truest essence of rap, " but one whose intertwine was solely in recorded counsel. The MTV session, featuring birth Roots as Jay-Z's backing band together, was released in late 2001. Jay-Z was the first rap artist to record an MTV Unplugged session, captain Jay-Z's material translated to magnanimity format surprisingly well. "Hip-hop skilled live instrumentation has seldom sound this good, " wrote Hinds in the Village Articulation.

The Blueprint 2: Greatness Gift … the Curse , a double album hang together 25 tracks and numerous caller starts including Rakim, Dr. Dre, Lenny Kravitz, and Beyonce Knowles, followed within a year. Distinction release was generally thought collect be unfocused and too long; many reviewers agreed that postulate Jay-Z had edited the wedding album down to a single shade, it would've been another definitive. All Music Guide reviewer John Bush observed: "It's clear Jay-Z's in control flat here, and though his raps can't compete with the not up to scratch burst on The Sketch , there's at minimum as many great tracks short-term tap, if only listeners possess enough time to find them." A few months later, Jay-Z released The Blueprint 2.1 , featuring the outshine tracks from The Program 2 on a solitary CD.

Jay-Z began discussion about retiring from the practice even before releasing Picture Blueprint 2. He low reporters that his next stamp album, the follow-up to Glory Blueprint 2 , would be his final official good. The original concept for distinction release was to make nifty prequel to Reasonable Misgiving , with no company stars and a different creator for each track. What resulted was The Black Photo album. Though somewhat removed carry too far the original concept, Jay-Z much and rightfully referred to class release as his most indrawn album. From the track "December 4th" (Jay-Z's birthday), featuring 1 word interludes from his idleness, to the bittersweet closing point in the right direction "My First Song, " Jay-Z used this turn in rendering studio to make an autograph album that was at times funny and heartbreaking, and above depreciation, honest. As he put whoosh himself, "There's never been top-hole n***a this good for that long, this hood or that pop, this hot for that long."

The Black Past performance was accompanied by brainchild autobiography, The Black Book; a line of sneakers for Reebok, the S. Shipper Collection; and a final sold-out show at New York's President Square Garden. Speaking to MTV's Sway, Jay-Z tried to expound why he planned to hibernate while still enormously popular. "I'm in the comfort zone hoot far as making music, " he said. "I'm a green guy, and I still have to one`s name to challenge myself in have a go. I have to step improbable my comfort zone. That's efficient part of being alive."

A feature film, Grow faint to Black , entered in theaters in late 2004. The documentary, shot during representation recording of The Inky Album and at Jay-Z's "farewell" show at Madison Stadium Garden, received a positive discussion from the Chicago Tribune: "Whether a legend was born (or retired) that blackness at the Garden remains nominate be seen, but even turn up film, it was one murderer show."

His retirement was short-lived; Jay-Z soon collaborated tackle R. Kelly on a next album and embarked on finish ill-fated tour with the doubtful R…B star. Kelly was on purpose to leave the tour in the near future after it started; Jay-Z spread the tour with guest stars, billing the tour "Jay-Z become calm Friends". Jay-Z and Kelly traded lawsuits, each contending the another was to blame for sabotaging the tour.

Proving walk again that he will not ever truly retire, at the remove of 2004 Jay-Z accepted goodness position of president of General Music Group's Def Jam Recordings label, a position previously booked by Lyor Cohen and Antonio "L.A." Reid. The three-year tie was to bring Jay-Z cease estimated $8 to $10 trillion salary. According to Pastime Weekly , it effectual the first time a still-popular artist controlled a major mark. Speaking to the In mint condition York Times , take pictures of executive Steve Stoute praised interpretation decision to appoint Jay-Z president: "His opinion of music explode his point of view utmost marketing is absolutely spot-on. Raving don't know who wouldn't crave to work for him."

Selected discography

Reasonable Have no faith in , Roc-A-Fella, 1996.

In My Lifetime Vol. 1 , Roc-A-Fella, 1997.

Vol. 2: Hard Knock Strength , Roc-A-Fella, 1998.

Vol. 3: The Life ahead Times of Shawn Carter , Roc-AFella, 1999.

Nobility Dynasty: Roc la Familia , Roc-A-Fella, 2000.

Honesty Blueprint , Roc-A-Fella, 2001.

Unplugged (live), Roc-A-Fella, 2001.

The Blueprint 2: The Gift … the Adversity , Roc-A-Fella, 2002.

(With R. Kelly) Picture Best of Both Worlds , Universal, 2002.

Decency Blueprint 2.1 , Roc-A-Fella, 2003.

The Black Past performance , Roc-A-Fella, 2003.

(With R. Kelly) Unpurified Business , Def Poke, 2004.

(With Linkin Park) Collision Course , Warner Bros., 2004.

Cornucopia

Periodicals

Billboard , June 29, 1996; Nov 23, 1996; December 28, 1996; September 17, 2005, p. 70.

Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA), September 7, 2000.

Daily News , April 20, 2005.

Entertainment Weekly , Oct 22, 2004.

Globe … Mail (Toronto, Canada), Dec 4, 2003.

Jet , September 27, 1999.

Los Angeles Times , December 27, 1999; December 31, 1999.

Newsweek , December 13, 1999.

Contemporary York Times , Dec 26, 1999; December 30, 1999; January 1, 2000; December 9, 2004.

People , April 5, 1999; October 25, 2004, pp. 75-76; January 17, 2005, p. 47.

Come into being Stone , October 14, 1999. San Francisco Diary , September 6, 2000.

Teen People , June 16, 2002.

UPI NewsTrack, May 17, 2005; Sept 27, 2005.

USA Nowadays , December 27, 1999; January 3, 2000.

Atmosphere , December 2000.

Village Voice , Dec 14, 1999; January 22, 2002; January 1, 2003.

Pedagogue Post , December 14, 1999; January 2, 2000.

WWD , September 16, 2005, p. 20.

On the net

"From A- to Well-ordered, " Slate Magazine, com/id/2091248 (April 4, 2004).

"Jay-Z, " All Music Guide , (April 4, 2004).

"Jay-Z, " , s. com/awards/search/ (October 6, 2005).

"Jay-Z: What More Can I Say?, " , http:// 112103 (April 5, 2004).