Jay-Z Biography: Shawn Corey Carter, born December 4, 1969, and better known as Jay-Z, is an American rapper and entrepreneur. Recognized as one of the greatest rappers of all time by Billboard and Vibe in 2023, Jay-Z served as president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings from 2004 to 2007 before founding his entertainment company, Roc Nation, in 2008. A protégé of rapper Jaz-O, Jay-Z began his musical journey in the late 1980s. In 1994, he co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records to release his first two critically acclaimed albums, Reasonable Doubt (1996) and In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997). All eleven of his subsequent albums, including The Blueprint (2001), The Black Album (2003), American Gangster (2007), and 4:44 (2017), debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. He holds the record for the most number-one albums by a solo artist, totaling 14.
Jay-Z Biography 2025
Shawn Corey Carter, known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper and entrepreneur. Born and raised in New York City, he was named the greatest rapper of all time by Billboard and Vibe in 2023.
Born: 4 December 1969 (age 54 years), Brooklyn, New York, United States
Net worth: 250 crores USD (2025) Forbes
Spouse: Beyoncé (m. 2008)
Full name: Shawn Corey Carter
Record labels: Roc Nation, Def Jam Recordings, MORE
Jay-Z Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
Shawn Corey Carter
December 4, 1969 (age 54)
Brooklyn , New York City, U.S. |
| Other names |
- The Carter Administration
- Jigga
- Hova
- El Presidente
- HOV
|
| Occupations |
- Rapper
- songwriter
- record producer
- entrepreneur
- record executive
- media proprietor
|
| Years active |
1986–present |
| Works |
- Albums
- production
- singles
- songs
- videography
|
| Spouse |
|
| Children |
3, including Blue Ivy |
| Category |
Singers Bio |
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Early Life and Education
Shawn Corey Carter was born in Brooklyn, New York City, and grew up in the Marcy Houses, a public housing project in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. His father, Adnis Reeves, abandoned the family, leaving Jay-Z and his three older siblings to be raised by their mother, Gloria Carter. In his lyrics, Jay-Z recounts an incident from 1982 when, at age 12, he shot his older brother in the shoulder over a dispute involving stolen jewelry.
He attended several schools in Brooklyn, including Eli Whitney High School and George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School, and later transferred to Trenton Central High School in New Jersey. He dropped out during his sophomore year and has shared that he sold crack cocaine during this period, experiencing a tumultuous life that included being shot at three times. Known as “Jazzy” in his youth, he later adopted the stage name “Jay-Z” as a tribute to his mentor, Jaz-O.
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Jay-Z’s Net Worth 2025
As of August 2025, Jay-Z’s net worth is estimated at $2.5 billion.
| Source of Wealth |
Estimated Value |
| Music Catalog |
$100 million |
| Tidal (Streaming Service) |
$600 million |
| Roc Nation |
$75 million |
| Armand de Brignac (Champagne) |
$310 million |
| D’Ussé (Cognac) |
$100 million |
| Real Estate |
$350 million |
| Art Collection |
$70 million |
| Uber Stake |
$70 million |
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Jay-Z’s Income Streams
| Income Source |
Annual Earnings |
| Tours |
$150 million |
| Album and Single Sales |
$5 million per year |
| Clothing Line (Rocawear) |
$204 million (sale price) |
| Investments (various) |
Varies, substantial profits |
Jay-Z’s Tour Revenue
| Tour Name |
Gross Earnings |
| On the Run II with Beyoncé |
$364 million |
| 4:44 Tour |
$48.7 million |
| Magna Carter Tour |
$48.9 million |
| Watch the Throne |
$40 million |
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Jay-Z’s Real Estate Portfolio
| Property Location |
Purchase Price |
| East Hampton, NY |
$26 million |
| Bel Air, CA |
$88 million |
| New York City Penthouse |
$6.8 million |
| New Orleans Mansion |
$2.6 million |
| Malibu Mega-Mansion |
$200 million |
Jay-Z’s Investments
| Investment |
Estimated Value |
| Tidal |
$600 million |
| Armand de Brignac |
$310 million |
| D’Ussé |
$100 million |
| Uber |
$70 million |
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Jay-Z’s Art Collection
| Artwork |
Estimated Value |
| Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Mecca |
$4.5 million |
| Total Collection |
$70 million |
