Timeline : Jay-Z
Jay-Z (Shawn Corey Carter) is born in housing projects in Brooklyn - something he will remind us of many times in his early songs. Known for his lyrical dexterity, he becomes one of the top rappers in the game and also one of the most profitable, amassing over $1 billion with interests in liquor, apparel and record labels.
Jay-Z issues his debut album, Reasonable Doubt, as the first release on his own label, Roc-A-Fella Records. The first track is "Can't Knock the Hustle," which features Mary J. Blige and tells the story of Jay's come-up in Brooklyn. Roc-A-Fella later partners with Def Jam Records, which appoints Jay-Z president in 2004.
Jay-Z releases his third album, Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life, with the hits "Can I Get A..." and the Annie-sampling "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)." It's his first #1 album and his biggest seller, with over 6 million copies sold in America.
Jay-Z stabs the record executive Lance "Un" Rivera at a party at Manhattan's Kit Kat Klub, believing Rivera bootlegged his album Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter. The rapper pleads guilty to misdemeanor assault and is sentenced to three years probation.
Jay-Z and Beyoncé meet for the first time at MTV's Spring Break festival in Cancun, where both are performing (Bey with her group, Destiny's Child). They go on their first date two years later.
Jay-Z releases "'03 Bonnie And Clyde," featuring Beyoncé in her first solo appearance since the breakup of Destiny's Child. It's the first hint the couple are dating, as Jay declares them "the new Bobby and Whitney" on the track.
Eleven days after releasing The Black Album, Jay-Z throws his "retirement party" concert at Madison Square Garden. He says he's going to stop making music so he can develop artists on his Roc-a-Fella label and pursue more business ventures, but the retirement doesn't stick: He returns in 2006 with the album Kingdom Come.
Jay-Z releases The Black Album, with the classics "99 Problems" and "Dirt off Your Shoulder." He says it will be his last album, but reneges in 2006 when he issues Kingdom Come.
Linkin Park and Jay-Z release the collaborative EP Collision Course, which features mash-ups of the artists' songs. "Numb," from the nu-metal band's sophomore album, Meteora, is mixed with the rapper's Black Album track "Encore." The result, "Numb/Encore," wins the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 2006 ceremony.
With the aid of a private jet, Jay-Z plays seven 30-minute sets across the US in one day to promote his comeback album, Kingdom Come.
Jay-Z sells his clothing company, Rocawear, to Iconix for $204 million.
With Adam Yauch (MCA) diagnosed with cancer, Beastie Boys cancel their appearance at the All Points West festival at Liberty State Park in New Jersey. In tribute, Jay-Z opens his set with a cover of "No Sleep Till Brooklyn."
Jay-Z lands his 11th #1 album with The Blueprint 3, breaking Elvis Presley's record for most #1 albums by a solo artist. He extends the record to 14 before Taylor Swift ties it in 2024 with The Tortured Poets Department.
Alicia Keys and Nas join Jay-Z at the second of two charity concerts he holds at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The concerts raise $3.5 million for the United Way and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.
With one day to go until the United States presidential election, dozens of music stars take to the press to support incumbent Barack Obama over Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Those voicing support for Obama include Jay-Z, Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead, Bruce Springsteen, Katy Perry, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, and Stevie Wonder. This should come as no surprise, as music celebrities traditionally come out to support the progressive candidate in elections.
Jay-Z drops his hyphen, becoming Jay Z. Like his "retirement" in 2003, it doesn't stick - the hyphen returns with his next album, 4:44, in 2017.
Jay-Z releases his twelfth studio album, Magna Carta... Holy Grail, as a free download, but only for Samsung customers who can access it through the Jay-Z Magna Carta app. Non-Samsung users will have to tough it out and buy the album at retail price four days later.
Justin Timberlake is a big winner at the Grammy Awards, winning three of his seven nominations: Best R&B Song for "Pusher Love Girl," Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Holy Grail," and Best Music Video for "Suit & Tie" (the latter two with Jay Z).
Beyoncé's sister Solange Knowles attacks Jay-Z in an elevator they are all riding after attending the Met Gala at The Standard hotel in New York. The footage, which is leaked on TMZ, shows Jay taking his whooping before a security guard restrains Solange. Beyoncé later mentions the incident in her song "Flawless" when she sings, "sometime s--t go down when there's a billion dollars on an elevator."More
Jay-Z releases his album 4:44, which addresses the infidelity accusations his wife Beyoncé leveled at him in her album Lemonade. "Let the baddest girl in the world get away," he raps on the opening track, "Kill Jay-Z."
Jay-Z becomes the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
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