Jay-Z Biography

Fast Facts

• Donated $1 million to the American Red Cross to help with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts
• Became the first rap artist to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017
• Founded the Shawn Carter Foundation in 2002 to help individuals with economic hardships further their education
• Woke his family up at night by playing drum beats on the kitchen table, so his mother bought him a boombox to hone his talent
• Won a lunchroom rap battle in high school against fellow future hip-hop star Busta Rhymes
• Quote: "I go back and forth with it․ I believe the industry as a whole needs certain events to happen to sustain it and keep it alive․․․you need big artists, you need major events that happen․ ․․․ So when I look at it in those terms, I believe that an album is needed․"
• Took musical inspiration from soul artists Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway
• Known for his well-timed delivery of lyrics, clever word play and improvisation during his performances
• Became the first hip-hop artist to headline the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, England
• Served as the president of Def Jam Recordings, founded the sports agency Roc Nation Sports and owns the streaming service TIDAL