Jay-Z
Age: years
Next Birthday: in days
👤 Bio & Residence
Full Name: Shawn Corey Carter
Date of Birth: December 4, 1969
Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York City, USA
Height: 188 cm (6′2″)
Weight: 83 kg (183 lbs)
Religion: Christian upbringing
Nationality: American
Ancestry: African-American
Languages: English
Marital Status: Married to Beyoncé Knowles (2008–present)
Children: 3 (Blue Ivy b. 2012, Rumi b. 2017, Sir b. 2017)
Occupation: Rapper, Producer, Entrepreneur, Businessman
Education: Attended George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School
Net Worth: $2.5B+ (2025 estimate)
Businesses: Roc Nation, Rocawear, Tidal, D’Ussé Cognac, Armand de Brignac Champagne
Total Social Followers: 40M+ across platforms
Properties: Residences in New York, Los Angeles, and The Hamptons
Notable Works: “99 Problems”, “Empire State of Mind”, “Hard Knock Life”, “Big Pimpin’”
Current Residence: Bel-Air, Los Angeles, USA
🎓 Education & Early Life
- Grew up in Marcy Projects, Brooklyn, raised by his mother.
- Nicknamed “Jazzy” as a kid, later shortened to Jay-Z.
- Started freestyling and selling CDs independently before founding Roc-A-Fella Records.
🏆 Career Highlights & Timeline
- 1996: Debut album *Reasonable Doubt* released to critical acclaim.
- 1998: Breakthrough with *Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life*.
- 2001: Rivalry and eventual friendship with Nas shaped hip-hop.
- 2003: Announced retirement with *The Black Album*, later returned.
- 2008: Married Beyoncé, forming a global power couple.
- 2017: Released *4:44*, praised for maturity and vulnerability.
- 2020s: Billionaire status through business ventures in music, alcohol, and investments.
🏅 Awards & Recognitions
- 24 Grammy Awards (most of any rapper, tied with Kanye West).
- Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee (2017).
- First rapper inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2021).
- Over 125M records sold worldwide.
- Billboard’s Greatest Rapper of All Time (2023 list).
🧠 Did You Know?
- Jay-Z sold CDs out of his car before fame.
- He co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records with Damon Dash and Kareem Burke.
- He once shot his brother in the shoulder at age 12 (later reconciled).
- He is the first billionaire in hip-hop.
- Jay-Z owns part of Armand de Brignac champagne and D’Ussé cognac.
- He was president of Def Jam Recordings from 2004–2007.
- Mentored artists like Kanye West, Rihanna, and J. Cole.
- “Empire State of Mind” with Alicia Keys is one of his biggest global hits.
- He and Beyoncé are often referred to as the most powerful couple in music.
- Jay-Z co-owns Roc Nation Sports, managing athletes like Kevin Durant.
- He was a co-owner of the Brooklyn Nets and helped bring them to Brooklyn.
- Jay-Z is known for rarely writing lyrics down, freestyling in the studio.
- He and Beyoncé have a combined net worth of over $3B.
- His stage name is partly inspired by his mentor Jaz-O and the J/Z subway lines in Brooklyn.
- He is considered one of the greatest rappers and entrepreneurs in history.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When was Jay-Z born and how old is he?
He was born on December 4, 1969; he is years old as of 2025.
Where is Jay-Z from?
He grew up in Marcy Projects, Brooklyn, New York City.
What is Jay-Z’s real name?
His real name is Shawn Corey Carter.
Is Jay-Z married?
Yes, he has been married to Beyoncé since 2008.
Does Jay-Z have children?
Yes, he has three children: Blue Ivy (b. 2012), twins Rumi and Sir (b. 2017).
What is Jay-Z’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated at over $2.5B (2025).
What are Jay-Z’s biggest songs?
“99 Problems”, “Empire State of Mind”, “Hard Knock Life”, “Big Pimpin’”.
How many Grammys has Jay-Z won?
He has won 24 Grammy Awards.
Is Jay-Z in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
Yes, he was inducted in 2021.
What businesses does Jay-Z own?
He owns Roc Nation, Tidal, Rocawear, Armand de Brignac Champagne, and D’Ussé Cognac.
Who has Jay-Z mentored?
He mentored Kanye West, Rihanna, J. Cole, and many others.
What was Jay-Z’s first album?
His debut album was *Reasonable Doubt* (1996).
Does Jay-Z still perform?
Yes, he performs occasionally at major events and tours selectively.
What charities does Jay-Z support?
He supports criminal justice reform, scholarships, and global humanitarian causes through the Shawn Carter Foundation.
Where does Jay-Z live now?
He lives in Bel-Air, Los Angeles, with Beyoncé and their children.