Who Is Jay-Z? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on December 4, 1969, Jay-Z is currently 55 years old. He was born Shawn Corey Carter in Brooklyn, New York City. Over the decades, Jay-Z has evolved from a street hustler to a global music mogul, known for his innovative approach to hip-hop and his influence across various sectors.
His extensive career includes numerous Grammy Awards, chart-topping albums, and a thriving brand that has expanded into areas such as sports management and fashion. For more details, you can explore his Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Fashion Designers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 4, 1969 |
| Age | 55 Years |
| Birth Place | Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Sagittarius |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Jay-Z's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
In 2025, Jay-Z stands at approximately 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall and weighs around 203 pounds (92 kg). Known for his commanding presence on and off the stage, his body measurements can be summarized as follows:
- Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
- Weight: 203 lbs (92 kg)
- Shoe Size: 12 (US)
Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, businessman, and record executive. Rooted in East Coast hip-hop, he was named the greatest rapper of all time by Billboard and Vibe in 2023.
Known for his complex lyrical ability—which often uses double entendres and word play—and braggadocio, his music is built upon a rags to riches narrative. He served as president and chief executive officer of Def Jam Recordings from 2004 to 2007, and founded the entertainment company Roc Nation the following year.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Jay-Z has been married to the renowned singer and actress Beyoncé since 2008. The couple, often referred to as "Bey and Jay," share three children: Blue Ivy and twins Rumi and Sir. Their relationship has been highlighted in both the media and their music, showcasing their personal and professional partnership.
While Jay-Z does not have a "boyfriend" in the traditional sense, his strong bond with Beyoncé reinforces his commitment to family and partnership. The couple continues to support each other's careers while being prominent figures in the entertainment industry.
A protégé of fellow New York City-based rapper Jaz-O, Jay-Z began his musical career in the late 1980s; he co-founded the record label Roc-A-Fella Records in 1994 to release his first two studio albums Reasonable Doubt (1996) and In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997), both of which were met with critical acclaim.
Each of his eleven subsequent albums, including The Blueprint (2001), The Black Album (2003), American Gangster (2007), and 4:44 (2017), debuted atop the Billboard 200; Jay-Z holds the joint-record for the most number-one albums (14) of any solo artist on the chart (tied with Drake and Taylor Swift).
He has also released the collaborative albums The Best of Both Worlds (2002) and Unfinished Business (2004) with singer R. Kelly, Collision Course (2004) with Linkin Park, Watch the Throne (2011) with Kanye West, and Everything Is Love (2018) with his wife Beyoncé.
He peaked the Billboard Hot 100 on four occasions: once as a lead artist with his 2009 single "Empire State of Mind" (featuring Alicia Keys), and thrice with his guest performances on the singles "Heartbreaker" by Mariah Carey, "Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé, and "Umbrella" by Rihanna.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Jay-Z's estimated net worth stands at an impressive $2.5 billion. His accumulated wealth comes from his multifaceted career as a rapper, producer, and entrepreneur. He has successfully diversified his income through investments in various businesses, including Roc Nation, Tidal, and his partnership with the NFL.
In addition to his music sales and performances, Jay-Z earns significant revenue from endorsements and collaborations, making him one of the wealthiest musicians in the world.
Known for his lyrical prowess which often utilises double entendres, witty wordplays, and mixes messages with braggadocio, his music often describes his rise from poverty to vast wealth.
Career, Business and Investments
Jay-Z's career has been nothing short of remarkable. He first gained fame in the late '90s and has since released 13 studio albums, many of which have achieved multi-platinum status. Beyond music, he is recognized for his entrepreneurial spirit, having co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records and later, Roc Nation.
In the realm of investments, Jay-Z has ventured into the world of technology, sports, and even cannabis. His ownership stake in Tidal represents his interest in the streaming industry, while his investments in brands like Armand de Brignac champagne showcase his influence in the luxury market.
He attended Eli Whitney High School and George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School, both in Brooklyn, and then Trenton Central High School in Trenton, New Jersey. He did not graduate, dropping out during his sophomore year at Trenton Central High School.
According to his interviews and lyrics, he sold crack cocaine and was shot at three times during this period. His former friend was sentenced to prison for possessing drugs and weapons. Known as "Jazzy" around the neighborhood, he later adopted the stage name "Jay-Z" in homage to his mentor Jaz-O.
Social Network
Jay-Z remains active on social media, using platforms like Twitter and Instagram to connect with fans and share insights into his life and work. While he may not be as active as some younger celebrities, his posts often resonate deeply with his audience, highlighting his artistic endeavors and social causes.
In 2001, Jay-Z spoke out against Prodigy after he took an issue with a Jay-Z line from "Money, Cash, Hoes" that he felt alluded disparagingly to Mobb Deep and Prodigy's dispute with Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, and Death Row Records.
He later performed the song "Takeover", at Summer Jam 2001, which initially attacked Prodigy and revealed photos of Prodigy dressed like Michael Jackson. A line at the end of "Takeover" referred to Nas, who criticized him on "We Will Survive".
Nas responded with a diss of his own, and Jay-Z straightaway added a verse to "Takeover" which dissed Nas and would start a feud between the two rappers. The feud had ended by 2005; Jay-Z stated that record producer Mark Pitts had helped them settle their differences.
Education
Jay-Z’s formal education includes a brief stint at George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School in Brooklyn, where he honed his talents in music. He later attended the prestigious Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics. However, his most influential education came from life experiences, street smarts, and his relentless pursuit of artistic and business mastery.
Royce da 5'9" and Fredro Starr of Onyx both describe Jay-Z's emphasis on flow in the book How to Rap—Starr says that Jay-Z is "a master of the flow—he can flow fast, he can flow slow". The book describes how Jay-Z uses 'rests' to provide structure to a verse and how he uses 'partial linking' to add more rhymes to a verse.
Jay-Z's early style is described by Vibe as "a distinctly Das EFX-type, stiggety style" on his 12" single "Can't Get With That", referring to the fast rhythms and vocal delivery of the group Das EFX.
He is also known to write lyrics in his head, as described by Pusha T of Clipse in How to Rap, a style popular with many MCs such as The Notorious B.I.G., Everlast, Bobby Creekwater and Guerilla Black.
Shock G of Digital Underground describes Jay-Z's live performance style, saying he "rarely breaks a sweat, and instead uses smoothness and clever wordplay to keep the audience interested and entertained".
Jay-Z's fast rapping technique, also known as the "triplet time", was developed during his early years of creating music with former mentor Jaz-O.
