Jay-Z
Jay-Z is a boom-bap artist from Marcy Projects, Brooklyn, New York.
Brooklyn rapper and mogul behind Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint, and hip-hop's first billionaire.
Who is Jay-Z?
Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) is a rapper and entrepreneur from the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, New York. He co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records.
Known for
His debut Reasonable Doubt (1996), the commercial breakthrough Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life (1998), The Blueprint (2001) and The Black Album (2003). Later he ran Def Jam, founded Roc Nation and became the first rapper billionaire. In 2017 he was the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Style
A calm, effortless flow and clever, layered wordplay; he famously writes his lyrics in his head. Hustler stories turned into lessons about business and life.
Impact
Jay-Z set the template for the rapper as entrepreneur and is considered one of the greatest rappers ever. The Blueprint also helped make soul-sample production, by Kanye West and Just Blaze, the sound of the 2000s.
Influences
- Big Daddy Kane (whom he toured with)
- Jaz-O (his early mentor)
- Kool G Rap
Jay-Z: quick answers
What genre is Jay-Z?
Jay-Z’s music falls under Boom-Bap. Jay-Z is part of East Coast hip-hop, with the most important work in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s.
Where is Jay-Z from?
Jay-Z is from Marcy Projects, Brooklyn, New York.
What is Jay-Z’s real name?
Jay-Z’s real name is Shawn Carter.
When did Jay-Z start?
Jay-Z has been active since 1989.
Who influenced Jay-Z?
Jay-Z was influenced by Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap.
Who did Jay-Z influence?
Jay-Z influenced Lil Wayne.
Which artists are similar to Jay-Z?
If you like Jay-Z, listen to Foxy Brown, Kanye West, Nas, Notorious B.I.G. and Rick Ross.
