Jump to content

Jay-Z: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Storm Cat (talk | contribs)
16 edits
No edit summary
Tdog2 (talk | contribs)
175 edits
←Replaced content with '.'
Line 1: Line 1:
.
{{Inappropriate tone|date=August 2008}}
{{pp-semi-protected|small=yes}}
{{Infobox musical artist
|Name = Jay-Z
|Img = Jay Z.jpg
|Img_capt = In Fort Lauderdale, Florida in November 2008.
|Img_size =
|Background = solo_singer
|Birth_name = Shawn Corey Carter
|Spouse = [[Beyoncé Knowles]]
|Born = {{birth date and age|1969|12|4}}<br />[[Brooklyn]], [[New York City]]
|Occupation = [[Rapper]], [[songwriter]], [[record executive]]
|Years_active = 1986 – present
|Genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
|Associated_acts = [[Jaz-O]], [[Memphis Bleek]], [[Beanie Sigel]], [[Amil]], [[Beyoncé Knowles|Beyoncé]], [[Linkin Park]], [[Kanye West]], [[R. Kelly]], [[T.I.]], [[UGK]], [[Jim Jones (rapper)|Jim Jones]], [[Freeway (rapper)|Freeway]], [[The Notorious B.I.G.]], [[Nas]], [[Foxy Brown (rapper)|Foxy Brown]], [[Pharrell]] & [[Coldplay]]
|Label = [[Roc-A-Fella Records|Roc-A-Fella]]
|URL = [http://www.jay-z.com/ www.jay-z.com]
}}

'''Shawn Corey Carter''' (born December 4, 1969),<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0419650/ Jay-Z]. Internet Movie Database. Accessed October 23, 2008.</ref> better known as '''Jay-Z''', is an American [[hip hop]] artist and businessman. He is the former [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] of [[Def Jam Recordings]]<ref>[http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/news/47700-jay-z-leaves-def-jam-presidency Pitchfork: Jay-Z Leaves Def Jam Presidency<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and [[Roc-A-Fella Records]]. He co-owns [[The 40/40 Club]] and the [[New Jersey Nets]]. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America,<ref name="mtv greatest">[http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2006/emcees/index11.jhtml The Greatest MCs of All Time] ''MTV''. Retrieved on 2006-12-26</ref> having sold over 26 million units in the United States.<ref>[http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=tblTopArt RIAA - Gold & Platinum - August 08, 2008<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> His critically acclaimed album, ''[[The Blueprint]]'', was written in only two days.<ref>Recounted by Jay-Z on the documentary ''[[Collision Course (album)|Collision Course]]'' DVD. ''Collision Course''. Jay-Z and Linkin Park. Roc-A-Fella/Warner Bros./Machine Shop Recordings. 2004.</ref> After announcing his retirement from recording music in 2003, he returned in late 2006 with the album ''[[Kingdom Come (album)|Kingdom Come]]'', which sold 680,000 copies in its first week, Jay-Z's highest-selling album in a one-week period.<ref name="billboardkingdom">[http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003465594 Jay-Z Reclaims His 'Kingdom' With No. 1 Debut]. [[Billboard.com]]. Retrieved on November 29, 2006.</ref> [[MTV]] named him number one on their list of the greatest MCs of all time.<ref name="mtv greatest">[http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2006/emcees/index11.jhtml The Greatest MCs of All Time] ''MTV''. Retrieved on 2006-12-26</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' announced in April of 2008 that Jay-Z is on the verge of a partnership with [[Live Nation]] for $150 million — among the most expensive contracts ever awarded to a musician.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jeff |last=Leeds |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=In Rapper’s Deal, a New Model for Music Business |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/03/arts/music/03jayz.html |work=New York Times |publisher= |date=2008-04-03 |accessdate=2008-04-03 }}</ref> Carter married [[Beyoncé Knowles]] on April 4, 2008.<ref>[http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20188764,00.html Jay-Z & Beyonce Alledgedly Wed People.com<!--bot generated article -->]</ref>

==Biography==
===Early years===
Originally from [[Marcy Houses]] housing project in the [[Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn|Bedford-Stuyvesant]] neighborhood of [[Brooklyn]] in [[New York City]],<ref name="allmusicbio">Birchmeier, Jason. [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:hjftxqrgldhe~T1 Jay-Z Biography]. [[Allmusic]]. Last accessed August 24, 2007.</ref> Jay-Z was abandoned by his father Adnes Reeves and shot his brother in the shoulder for stealing his jewelry<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/11/18/60II/main529811.shtml The King Of Rap , Jay-Z Has Built A Billion-Dollar Business - CBS News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> when he was twelve years old.<ref name="aboutjayz">Adaso, Henry. [http://rap.about.com/od/artists/p/JayZ.htm How Well Do You Know Jay-Z?] [[About.com]]. Last accessed August 24, 2007.</ref> Jay-Z attended [[Eli Whitney]] High School in Brooklyn, along with rapper [[AZ (rapper)|AZ]], until it was closed down. After that he attended George Westinghouse Information Technology High School in [[Downtown Brooklyn]], with fellow rappers [[The Notorious B.I.G.]] and [[Busta Rhymes]], and [[Trenton Central High School]] in [[Trenton, New Jersey]], but did not graduate.<ref>[http://www.celebritywonder.com/html/jay-z.html Jay-Z Picture, Profile, Gossip, and News at CelebrityWonder.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> He claims to have been caught up in selling drugs, to which he refers in his music.<ref name="aboutjayz"/>
[[Image:Jay z @bt's lounge in trenton , nj.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Jay-Z with a friend in Trenton, New Jersey, circa 1988.]]
According to his mother Gloria Carter, a young Jay-Z used to wake his siblings up at night banging out drum patterns on the kitchen table. Eventually, she bought him a [[boom box]] for his birthday and thus sparked his interest in music. He began [[freestyling]], writing rhymes, and followed the music of many artists popular at the time. It is stated that he beat [[Busta Rhymes]] in a [[rap battle]], but also has lost to [[DMX (rapper)|DMX]]. On top of that, [[Bone Thugs-N-Harmony]] member [[Bizzy Bone]] was snatched by his employer and taken to New York to battle Jay-Z; Bizzy reportedly was victorious in the battle.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}

In his neighborhood, Carter was known as "Jazzy", a nickname that eventually developed into his stage name, "Jay-Z". The moniker is also an homage to his musical mentor, [[Jaz-O]] (a.k.a. Jaz, Big Jaz), as well as to the [[J/Z (New York City Subway service)|J/Z subway lines]] that have a stop at [[Marcy Avenue (BMT Jamaica Line)|Marcy Avenue]] in [[Brooklyn]].<ref name="allmusicbio"/>

Jay-Z can be heard on several of Jaz-O's early recordings in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including "The Originators" and "Hawaiian Sophie". His career had a jump start when he battled a rapper by the name of Zai. The battle caught the eye of many record labels, as Jay-Z was able to hold his own against Zai. He first became known to a wide audience by being featured on the posse cut "Show and Prove" on the 1994 [[Big Daddy Kane]] album ''[[Daddy's Home]]'' <ref>http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:3ifpxqyhldje</ref> He also made an appearance on a popular song by [[Big L]], "Da Graveyard", and on [[Mic Geronimo]]'s "Time to Build", which also featured early appearances by [[DMX (rapper)|DMX]], [[Q-Man]], [[Ja Rule]] and Shazim Hasan in 1995. His first official rap single was called "I Can't Get With That", for which he also released a music video.

==Music career==
===''Reasonable Doubt'' (1996)===
{{main|Reasonable Doubt}}

From the beginning of his professional recording career, when no major label gave him a record deal, [[Dame Dash]], Jay-Z, and Kareem Biggs created [[Roc-A-Fella Records]] as their own independent label. After striking a deal with [[Priority Records|Priority]] to distribute his material, Jay-Z released his 1996 debut album ''[[Reasonable Doubt]]'' with beats from acclaimed producers such as [[DJ Premier]] and [[Super DJ Clark Kent|Clark Kent]] and a notable appearance by [[The Notorious B.I.G.]] Despite reaching only number 23 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], the album was a critical success.<ref name="allmusicbio"/>

===''In My Lifetime, Vol. 1'' (1997)===
{{main|In My Lifetime, Vol. 1}}

After reaching a new distribution deal with [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]] in 1997, Jay-Z released his follow-up ''[[In My Lifetime, Vol. 1]]''. Executively produced by [[Sean Combs|Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs]], it sold better than his previous effort. Jay-Z later explained that the album was made during one of the worst periods of his life. He was reeling from the death of his close friend [[The Notorious B.I.G.]] The album was a personal revelation for Jay-Z as he spun the tale of his hard knock upbringing.<ref>[http://www.askmen.com/men/entertainment_60/82_jay_z.html Jay-Z - AskMen.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The album's glossy production stood as a contrast to his first release, and some dedicated fans felt he had "sold out". However, the album did feature some beats from producers who had worked with him on ''Reasonable Doubt'', namely DJ Premier and [[Ski (producer)|Ski]]. Jay-Z mentioned on the [[YES Network]]'s ''[[CenterStage (TV Show)|CenterStage]]'' show that if he could do one thing in his career over, it would be ''Vol. 1'', claiming that "it [the cd] was ''this'' close to being a classic, but I put like, a few songs on there that ruined it." Two examples of what he was referring to are "I Know What Girls Like" and "[[(Always Be My) Sunshine]]". They both were produced by [[Bad Boy Records|Bad Boy]] [[Record producer|beatmakers]] and criticized as a commercialization of his sound. Like its predecessor, ''[[In My Lifetime, Vol. 1]]'' also earned Platinum status in the United States.

===''Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life'' (1998)===
{{main|Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life}}

1998's ''[[Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life]]'' spawned the biggest hit of his career at the time, "[[Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)]]". He also relied more on flow and brilliant wordplay, and he continued his penchant for mining beats from the popular producers of the day such as [[Swizz Beatz]], an upstart in-house producer for [[Ruff Ryders]], and [[Timbaland]]. Other producers tapped for beats include: [[DJ Premier]], [[Erick Sermon]], [[The 45 King]], and [[Kid Capri]]. Charting hits from this album included "Can I Get A...", featuring [[Ja Rule]] and [[Amil]], and "[[Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)|Nigga What, Nigga Who]]", which featured [[Amil]] too. ''Vol. 2'' would eventually become Jay-Z's most commercially successful album; it was certified 5x platinum in the United States and has to date sold over 8 million worldwide. The album went on to win a Grammy Award, although Jay-Z boycotted the ceremony protesting DMX's failure to garner a Grammy nomination.

===''Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter'' (1999)===
{{main|Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter}}

In 1999, Jay-Z released ''[[Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter]]''. Despite continued criticism for his increasingly pop-oriented sound,<ref>[http://www.thejayztour.com/biography.html Jay-Z biography.]</ref> the album proved to be successful and went platinum three times and sold over 5.6 million records worldwide. Through his lyricism, he was able to retain respect from some of his die-hard fans. ''Vol. 3'' is remembered for its smash hit, "[[Big Pimpin']]" (feat. [[UGK]]). By this time, Jay-Z was seen as a hip-hop figurehead both by hardcore fans and by the hip-hop industry due to his lyrics and his high album sales.

===''The Dynasty: Roc La Familia'' (2000)===
{{main|The Dynasty: Roc La Familia}}

The subject of much criticism, praise, popularity, condemnation, and discussion, Jay-Z decided to begin developing other artists. Around 2000, he and Damon Dash signed various artists (including "Dynasty" members [[Amil]], [[Beanie Sigel]] and [[Memphis Bleek]]) and began introducing them to the public. He next appeared on ''[[The Dynasty: Roc La Familia]]'', which was intended as a compilation album to introduce these new artists, though the album had Jay-Z's name on it to strengthen market recognition and by extension, sales. This strategy worked to an extent - ''[[The Dynasty: Roc La Familia]]'' sold over 2 million units in the U.S. alone.

===''The Blueprint'' (2001)===
{{main|The Blueprint}}

In 2001, Jay-Z released ''[[The Blueprint]]'' which was later considered by many to be one of hip hop's "classic" albums, receiving the coveted [[The Source (magazine)#The Source.27s Five Mic Albums|5 mic review]] from ''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]'' magazine. Released during the wake of [[September 11 attacks]], the album managed to debut at number one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], selling more than 427,000 units;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1058742|title=Jay-Z Draws 'Blueprint' For Chart Dominance|last=Martens|first=Todd|date=2001-09-20|work=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|accessdate=2008-11-12}}</ref> the album's success was overshadowed by the tragic event. ''The Blueprint'' has been certified two-time Platinum in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Jay-Z&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25|title=Gold and Platinum|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|accessdate=2008-11-13}}</ref> This album was the first since his breakthrough album ''[[Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life]]'' not to feature [[Amil]], who was dropped in late 2000 because of a feud between Jay-Z/[[Roc-A-Fella]] and herself, caused by her [[A.M.I.L.|meager album sales]] and her weight gain.

''The Blueprint'' was applauded for its production and the balance of "mainstream" and "hardcore" rap, receiving recognition from both audiences. [[Eminem]] was the only guest artist on the album, producing and rapping on the single "Renegade". Four of the thirteen tracks on the album were produced by [[Kanye West]] and represents one of West's first major breaks in the industry. ''The Blueprint'' also includes the popular "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" and "Takeover", a song that takes on rivals [[Prodigy (rapper)|Prodigy]] of [[Mobb Deep]] and [[Nas]].

===''The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse'' (2002)===
{{main|The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse}}

Jay-Z's next solo album was 2002's 4 million (U.S. only) selling ''[[The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse|The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse]]'', a double-album. The album debuted on the ''Billboard''&nbsp;200 at number one, selling over 545,000 units and surpassing ''The Blueprint''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1765966|title=Jay-Z Scores 5th Chart-Topper With 'Blueprint'|last=Martens|first=Todd|date=2002-11-20|work=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|accessdate=2008-11-12}}</ref> It was later reissued in a single-disc version, ''[[The Blueprint 2.1]]'', which retained half of the tracks from the original and went on to sell a further 800,000 copies. The album spawned two massive hit singles, "[[Excuse Me Miss]]" and "[[Bonnie & Clyde (song)|Bonnie and Clyde]]" featuring Jay-Z's girlfriend of four years [[Beyoncé Knowles]]. "Guns & Roses", a track featuring Lenny Kravitz, and "[[Hovi Baby]]" were two successful radio singles as well. The album also features the tracks "A Dream", featuring [[Faith Evans]] and a recording of the late [[The Notorious B.I.G.]]; and "The Bounce", featuring [[Kanye West]] (who, at that time, was not yet an artist). ''[[The Blueprint 2.1]]'' features tracks that do not appear on ''[[The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse|The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse]]'', such as "Stop", "La La La (Excuse Me Again)", "What They Gonna Do, Part II" and "Beware" produced by and featuring [[Panjabi MC]].<!--The first, second, and fourth songs listed here don't appear in the track listing of the [[The Blueprint 2.1]] article.-->

===Rivalry with Nas===
{{Main|Nas vs. Jay-Z feud}}
Tension between the two supposedly dates as far back as 1996, when [[Nas]] refused to make a guest appearance on Jay-Z's debut album ''[[Reasonable Doubt]]''. However, the relationship between the two rappers remained peaceful (Jay-Z even giving a [[shoutout]] to Nas in his album [[liner notes]]),<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.mtv.com/bands/n/nas/news_feature_012102/index3.jhtml| title = Nas vs. Jay-Z: Grade-A Beef| accessdate = 2007-02-13| author = Reid, Shaheem| publisher = [[MTV]]}}</ref> and the tension did not escalate to full-blown rivalry until after the death of the [[Notorious B.I.G.]] The position of favorite rapper in New York seemed vacant after the death of Biggie, and fans were eager to see who would take over.

The dispute involved many of the rappers, especially associates at [[Roc-a-Fella Records]], who declared an all-out war against Nas. However, the feud died down somewhat toward the end of 2002. It is believed by most that Nas won this battle, though it is still a subject of intense debate. New York radio station [[WQHT|Hot 97]] tried to settle the matter by taking votes, matching "Ether"/"Stillmatic" against "Takeover"/"Supa Ugly". Nas won with 58% while Jay-Z got 42% of the votes. Nas and Jay-Z have paid tribute to each other in interviews, likening the battle to a world title [[boxing]] match that pitched the best against the best, and pleased with the entertainment it provided fans. After Jay-Z signed Nas to [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]] (of which Jay-Z was president and CEO), he also featured on Nas's first [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]] album, ''[[Hip Hop Is Dead]]'', where he does a song with Nas called "Black Republican." The rivalry also impacted their careers critically and commercially. The battle was significant in that it revived the trend of using 'beefs' as a source for publicity and promotion for hip hop artists, originally unpopular following the tragic deaths of [[Tupac Shakur]] and [[The Notorious B.I.G.]], now prevalent within the hip hop community.

===''The Black Album'' (2003)===
{{main|The Black Album (Jay-Z album)}}

Jay-Z toured with [[50 Cent]], [[Busta Rhymes]] and [[Sean Paul]] while finishing work on what was announced as his final album, ''[[The Black Album (Jay-Z album)|The Black Album]]''. He worked with several producers including [[Just Blaze]], [[The Neptunes]], [[Kanye West]], [[Timbaland]], [[Eminem]], [[DJ Quik]], [[9th Wonder]] and [[Rick Rubin]]. Notable songs on the album included "What More Can I Say", "[[Dirt Off Your Shoulder]]", "[[Change Clothes]]", and "[[99 Problems]]". The latter was a cross-over hit comparable to the [[Beastie Boys]]' "[[No Sleep Till Brooklyn]]", which some believe pays homage to the now-rare old-school rap style. A few of the songs done on this album portray a more personal side of Jay-Z; for example, "Moment of Clarity" sheds light on his feelings towards his estranged father and coping with his death. It also deals with accusations that he sold out to reach a wider audience. "What More Can I Say" addresses the "biting" accusations leveled against him by Nas in "[[Ether (song)|Ether]]" and other detractors, as Jay-Z raps, "I'm not a biter I'm a writer for myself and others/I say a [[The Notorious B.I.G.|Big]] verse I'm only biggin' up my brother." During that same year, Jay-Z supplied new rhymes on a remix of [[Panjabi MC]]'s "[[Mundian To Bach Ke]]", a [[desi]] rap jam with a [[Bhangra]] flavor of which Jay-Z became enamored after hearing it at a nightclub in [[Hong Kong]]. Re-released as "[[Beware of the Boys]]", the East-West hip-hop fusion track charted in North America. <!--What album does this version appear on?--> ''[[The Black Album (Jay-Z album)|The Black Album]]'' has sold 3 million copies in the US.

In 2004, there was a runaway hit [[remix]] project by [[Danger Mouse]] called ''[[The Grey Album]]'' in which Jay-Z's ''[[The Black Album (Jay-Z album)|Black Album]]'' vocals were blended with instrumentals sampled exclusively from [[The Beatles]]' ''[[The Beatles (album)|White Album]]'' (which subsequently embroiled the DJ in a lawsuit that was later dropped with EMI, the owners of the Beatles' work). This was made possible by an [[a cappella]] version of the "Black Album" that Jay-Z released with the specific intent for others to mix. The success of ''The Grey Album'' led to a rainbow of ''Black Album'' remix projects including ''The Red Album'', ''The Blue Album'' and so forth.

===''Collision Course'' (2004)===
{{main|Collision Course (album)}}

Also in 2004, Jay-Z collaborated with rock group [[Linkin Park]]. The project was named [[Collision Course (album)|Collision Course]], and contained a six track EP, as well as a ''making of'' DVD. Some of the mash ups tracks were entitled "Dirt Off Your Shoulder/Lying From You", "Jigga What/Faint", and "Numb/Encore". "[[Numb/Encore]]" went on to win a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, and was also performed with Linkin Park live at the Grammys, with a special appearance by [[Paul McCartney]], who added verses from his song ''[[Yesterday (song)|Yesterday]]''. The EP sold over two million copies in the US alone.

===Retirement===
On November 25, 2003, Jay-Z held a concert at [[Madison Square Garden]], which would later be the focus of his film ''[[Fade to Black (documentary)|Fade to Black]]''. This concert was his "retirement party". All proceeds went to [[Charitable organization|charity]]. Other performers included collaborators like [[The Roots]] (in the form of his backing band), [[Missy Elliott]], [[Memphis Bleek]], [[Beanie Siegel]], [[Freeway]], [[Mary J. Blige]], [[Beyoncé]], [[Twista]], [[Ghostface Killah]], [[Foxy Brown (rapper)|Foxy Brown]], [[Pharrell]] and [[R. Kelly]] with special appearances by [[Voletta Wallace]] and [[Afeni Shakur]], the mothers of [[The Notorious B.I.G.]] and [[Tupac Shakur]] respectively.

While Jay-Z had attested to a [[retirement]] from making new studio albums, various side projects and appearances soon followed. Included in these were a greatest hits record, mash-up projects and concert appearances with [[R. Kelly]] and [[Linkin Park]].

Jay-Z was the executive producer of [[Fort Minor]]'s debut album ''[[The Rising Tied]]''. [[Mike Shinoda]] got together with Jay-Z and [[Linkin Park]] bandmate [[Brad Delson]] to discuss what tracks should make the album.

==="I Declare War" concert===
Having been such a visible artist in the late 1990s through the early 2000s, Jay-Z has been the subject of more rap-related controversy than most artists in mainstream hip-hop. Some of these have been resolved, some are ongoing, and some have simply dissipated.

On October 27, 2005, Jay-Z headlined New York's [[WWPR-FM|Power 105.1]] annual concert, Powerhouse. The concert was entitled the "I Declare War" Concert leading to intense speculation in the weeks preceding the event on whom exactly Jay-Z would declare war. As he had previously "declared war" on other artists taking lyrical shots at him at other events, many believed that the Powerhouse show would represent an all-out assault by Jay-Z upon his rivals. However, an anticipated response to subliminal shots taken by [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]] and [[Cam'ron]] never materialized.

The theme of the concert was Jay-Z's position as President and CEO of [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]], complete with an on-stage mock-up of the [[Oval Office]]. Many artists made appearances such as the old roster of [[Roc-A-Fella]] records artists, as well as [[Ne-Yo]], [[Teairra Mari]], [[T.I.]], [[Young Jeezy]], [[Akon]], [[Kanye West]], [[Paul Wall]], [[The LOX]], and [[Sean Combs|Diddy]].

At the conclusion of the concert, Jay-Z put many arguments to rest to the surprise of hip-hop fans. Instead of declaring war, he declared that he was the "[[United Nations]] of this rap shit". The most significant development in this show was closure to the infamous hip hop rivalry between Jay-Z and [[Nas]]. The two former rivals shook hands and shared the stage together to perform Jay-Z's "Dead Presidents" blended with Nas's song "The World is Yours" from which "Dead Presidents" had sampled the vocals on the chorus. Nas's verses were rapped over the "Dead Presidents" beat in the vein of a mix song done by DJ Statik Selektah. Nas also performed songs of his own later in the show.

Disagreements between other artists were also brought to a close (or put on hold) at the Powerhouse show. The event brought together for the first time in years, Diddy and The LOX, both having had a long-standing animosity due to a contract agreement and the latter's departure from [[Bad Boy Entertainment]]. Shortly after the concert, the altercation was fully rectified.

The event also saw the return of [[Beanie Sigel]] from incarceration. There had been some speculation that Beanie Sigel was going to depart from Roc-A-Fella Records, but this concert proved otherwise. Beanie and The LOX's [[Jadakiss]] also officially ended their own argument when they, Jay-Z, the rest of the LOX and [[Sauce Money]] (who had been thought to have some animosity towards Jay-Z, but this was also untrue) all performed the song "Reservoir Dogs".

===''Kingdom Come'' (2006)===
{{main|Kingdom Come (album)}}
[[Image:Jay-Z concert (cropped).jpg|right|thumb|175px|Jay-Z at a concert in 2006.]]
Jay-Z returned with his comeback album on November 21, 2006 titled ''[[Kingdom Come (album)|Kingdom Come]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.mp3.com/news/stories/6293.html|title= Jay-Z preps ''Kingdom Come''|accessdate= 2006-09-13|last= Welte|first= Jim|date= 2006-09-13|publisher= MP3.com}}</ref> Jay-Z's comeback single, "[[Show Me What You Got]]", was leaked on the Internet in early October 2006, scheduled to be released later on that month, received heavy air-play after its leak, causing the [[FBI]] to step in and investigate.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.pr-inside.com/legal-action-to-be-taken-over-jay-z-single-leak-r21513.htm|title= Legal Action to be Taken over Jay-Z Single Leak?|accessdate= 2006-09-13|date= 2006-10-09|work= |publisher=World Entertainment News}}</ref> Jay-Z worked with video director [[Hype Williams]], and the single's video was directed by [[F. Gary Gray]] (''[[Friday (film)|Friday]]'', ''[[The Italian Job (2003 film)|The Italian Job]]''). The album features producers such as [[Just Blaze]], [[Pharrell]], [[Kanye West]], [[Dr. Dre]] and [[Coldplay]]'s [[Chris Martin]] (single entitled "[[Beach Chair]]").<ref name="sfgate">{{cite web | url = http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=7&entry_id=8934 | title = Jay-Z Ends His Retirement With Star-Studded Comeback Album | accessmonthday = September 16 | accessyear = 2006 | author = | coauthors = | date = 2006-09-15 | publisher = [[San Francisco Chronicle]]}}</ref><ref name="mtvnews">{{cite web |url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1540898/20060914/jay_z.jhtml?headlines=true | title = Jay-Z's 'Retirement' Is Finally Over: New Album Due In November|publisher = [[MTV News]] | author = Reid, Shaheem |date = 2006-09-14 | accessdate = 2006-09-17 }}</ref>
This album has sold 2 million copies in the U.S. alone.
In June 2007, Jay-Z reached number one on the [[Billboard Hot 100]] with Rihanna's "[[Umbrella (song)|Umbrella]]", becoming his first number one song since "[[Crazy in Love]]" with [[Beyoncé]].

===''American Gangster'' (2007)===
{{main|American Gangster (album)}}
Jay-Z released his tenth album entitled ''American Gangster'' on November 6, 2007. After viewing the [[American Gangster (film)|film]], he was heavily inspired to create a new "concept" album that depicts his experiences as a street-hustler.<ref name="newyorktimes">{{cite web | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/arts/music/20jayz.html?hp | title = For Jay-Z, Inspiration Arrives in a Movie | accessmonthday = September 19 | accessyear = 2007 | author = DAVID M. HALBFINGER and JEFF LEED | coauthors = | date = 2007-09-20 | work = | publisher = [[New York Times]]}}</ref>
The album is not the film's official soundtrack, although it will be distributed by [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]].<ref name="hiphopdx">{{cite web | url = http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.5728/title.jay-z-to-release-american-gangster | title = Jay-Z to Release 'American Gangster' | accessmonthday = September 20 | accessyear = 2007 | author = Shake | coauthors = | date = 2007-09-20 | work = | publisher = HipHopDX}}</ref>
Jay-Z's ''American Gangster'' depicts his life in correlation to the movie ''American Gangster''.

At the start of the album's first single, "Blue Magic", Jay-Z offers a dealer's manifesto while making references to political figures of the late 1980s with the lyric: "Blame [[Ronald Reagan|Reagan]] for making me to into a monster, blame [[Oliver North]] and [[Iran-Contra]], I ran contraband that they sponsored, before this rhymin' stuff we was in concert."<ref>[http://media.www.jhunewsletter.com/media/storage/paper932/news/2007/11/15/ArtsEntertainment/New-Vibrations-3105603.shtml Johns Hopkins Newsletter: New Vibrations]</ref> Also notable about the "Blue Magic" music video was Jay-Z flashing 500 euro notes, in what [[Harvard Business School]] professor [[Rawi Abdelal]] has called a "turning point in American pop culture's response to globalization."

===Glastonbury and Beyond===
[[Image:Jay-Z 3.jpg|thumb|220px|Jay-Z in a concert]]
It was controversially announced on February 2, 2008 that Jay-Z would headline [[Glastonbury Festival]] in 2008, becoming the first major hip-hop artist to headline the British festival.<ref name="glastonbury">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7223232.stm|title=Jay-Z confirmed for Glastonbury|accessdate=2008-02-01|date=2008-02-01|publisher=BBC News}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nme.com/news/glastonbury/34049 Jay-Z confirmed to headline Glastonbury 2008 News | ''NME''.COM<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> He was blamed by some for relatively slow ticket sales for the festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20080411_glasto.shtml|title=Glasto tix still left|publisher=BBC Radio 6 Music|date=2008-04-11|accessdate=2008-11-02}}</ref>, although a more likely cause is the preceding run of terrible weather and flooding that in 2007 made life at the festival very difficult.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/music/newsid_7333000/7333920.stm BBC - Newsbeat - Music - Glastonbury tickets 'available'<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> One of the more outspoken critics of his selection was [[Noel Gallagher]] of [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]] fame. In response to Gallagher's criticism, Jay-Z opened his Glastonbury set with a tongue-in-cheek cover of Oasis's iconic song "[[Wonderwall (song)|Wonderwall]]".<ref>[http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/showbiz/showbiznews/2008/06/29/jay-z-s-glastonbury-wonderwall-dig-at-noel-gallagher-98487-20625795/ Jay-Z's Glastonbury Wonderwall dig at Noel Gallagher]</ref> His Glastonbury performance was heralded as a successful response to pre-festival criticism.<ref>[http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hxVV-7FKB6uR5m8-tlLVFPsBUoQw Jay-Z answers critics in Glastonbury performance]</ref> He also headlined many other summer festivals in 2008, including [[Roskilde Festival]] in [[Denmark]]<ref>[http://www.roskilde-festival.dk Roskilde Festival: Forside<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, [[Hove Festival]] in [[Norway]]<ref>[http://www.hovefestival.com/Default.aspx?articleID=790 Hove Festival Homepage]</ref> and [[O2 Wireless Festival]] in [[London]].<ref>http://www.o2wirelessfestival.co.uk/lineup/index.aspx Official line-up</ref>

Jay-Z also stated that after he finishing touring he's going to start another album.<ref>[http://nahright.com/news/2008/07/04/jay-says-hed-work-with-oasis-speaks-on-new-album/#more-5581
Jay Says He’d Work With Oasis, Speaks On New Album] Accessed July 4, 2008.</ref> [[Timbaland]] has previously stated that he will be producing the entire album.<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1590927/20080715/timbaland.jhtml Timbaland On Producing Jay-Z's Next LP: 'It'll Be A Monster'] Accessed July 16, 2008.</ref> Recently, however, Jay-Z went on record to say that it is not guaranteed to be a full Timbaland production.<ref>[http://www.hhworlds.com/forum/hip-hop/17557-07-30-08-jay-z-downplays-timbalands-role-praises-obama.html "HHWorlds.com" - Jay-Z Downplays Timbaland's Role, Praises Obama]</ref>

During Kanye West's August 6 concert at Madison Square Garden, Jay-Z came out to perform a new song and he and Kanye proclaimed that it was to be on ''[[The Blueprint 3]]''.<ref>[http://www.vimeo.com/1483104 Jay-Z performs Blueprint 3 track with Kanye]</ref>

==Ventures==
Apart from having been President and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, Jay-Z is also one of the owners and founders of the Roc-A-Fella empire, which includes [[Roc-A-Fella Records]], [[Roc-La-Familia]], Roc-A-Fella Films and [[Rocawear]].

Jay-Z has also established himself as an entrepreneur like his fellow hip-hop-moguls, and friends, [[Russell Simmons]], [[Dr. Dre]] and [[Sean Combs|Sean "Diddy" Combs]], who also have business holdings such as record companies and clothing lines. He received [[GQ]]'s International Man of the Year award.

Jay-Z announced on December 24, 2007 that he will not remain at Def Jam as the company's President, and vacated the position effective of January 1, 2008.<ref>''[http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2007/12/24/19046792.aspx]'',AllHipHop.com, December 24, 2007</ref> Jay-Z teamed up with Norwegian production duo [[Stargate (production team)|Stargate]] to establish a record label called [[StarRoc]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2008/09/jayz_starroc/|title=Jay-Z Launches New Record Label|last=Hobbs|first=Linda|date=2008-09-23|work=Vibe|accessdate=2008-09-24}}</ref>

===Roc-A-Fella Records===
Jay-Z co-founded [[Roc-A-Fella Records]] with partners [[Damon Dash]] and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Def Jam purchased a 50% stake in the company in 1997 for a reported $1.5 million.<ref>''[http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=3832 Roc-A-Fella Sold To Island Def Jam]'', AllHipHop.com, December 8, 2004</ref>

In late 2004, Jay-Z, Dash and Biggs sold their remaining interests in Roc-A-Fella Records and the Def Jam Recordings by Island Def Jam chairman [[L. A. Reid]]. Reportedly this major industry move was prompted by disagreement between Jay-Z and Dash as to what new ventures Roc-A-Fella could undertake.

The publicized split between Jay-Z, Dash and Biggs led to the former partners sending jabs at each other in interviews. Dame Dash has made comments that after the break up he was portrayed as "[[Osama bin Laden]]" to ensure that rappers would stay with Jay-Z and not sign with him.<ref>''[http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2006/04/damon_dash_speaks_about_jay_z/ Damon Dash Speaks About Jay-Z]'', Vibe.com, April 10, 2006</ref> Dash currently operates the recently-founded [[Dame Dash Music Group]] as a joint venture with Island Def Jam producing some former Roc-A-Fella artists.

===Rocawear===
In 1999, Jay-Z co-founded the urban clothing brand [[Rocawear]] with Roc-A-Fella Records partners [[Damon Dash]] and Kareem "Biggs" Burke.<ref name="NYTimes1">{{cite web| url = http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/07/business/07clothes.html| title = Iconix to Buy Rocawear, Jay-Z's Clothing Line| accessdate = 2007-03-09| date = 2007-03-07| publisher = ''[[The New York Times]]''}}</ref> Rocawear has clothing lines and accessories for men, women and children. The line was taken over by Jay-Z in early 2006 following a falling out with co-founder Damon Dash.

In March 2007, Jay-Z sold the rights to the Rocawear brand to [[Iconix Brand Group]], for $204 million. Jay-Z will retain his stake in the company and will continue to oversee the marketing, licensing and product development.<ref name="NYTimes1" /><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/07032007/jay_z_down_to_98_problems_yet| title = Jay-Z: Down To 98 Problems Yet?| accessdate = 2007-03-09| date = 2007-02-07| publisher = [[MTV]]}}</ref>

===Entertainment and lifestyle===
Jay-Z co-owns [[The 40/40 Club]], an upscale sports bar that started in New York City and has since expanded to [[Atlantic City]], NJ. Future plans will see 40/40 Clubs in [[Los Angeles]], [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]], and [[Singapore]]. Roc-A-Fella also distributes [[Armadale (liquor)|Armadale]], a [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[vodka]], in the U.S.

On October 16, 2006, Jay-Z's new commercial spot with [[Anheuser-Busch]] aired, featuring his latest single "Show Me What You Got". Jay-Z will serve as co-brand director for Budweiser Select while collaborating with the company on strategic marketing programs and creative ad development. He will be providing direction on brand programs and ads that appear on TV, radio, print, and high-profile events.<ref> http://www.allhiphop.com/Hiphopnews/index.asp?ID=6279</ref>

Jay-Z is a part-owner of the [[New Jersey Nets]] [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] team paying a reported $4.5 million for his share. He is also interested in relocating the team to [[Brooklyn]]. In October 2005, he was reported in English media as considering buying a stake of [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal FC]], an English [[football (soccer)]] team.<ref>''[http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16226328&method=full&siteid=62484&headline=beyonce-s-rapper-lover-is-after-a-piece-of-arse--name_page.html Beyonce's Rapper Lover Is After A Piece Of Arse: Jay-Z's Footie Bid]'', [[Sunday Mirror|The Sunday Mirror]], October 9, 2005</ref> However, at this point, this is still speculation.

Jay-Z has invested in a real estate development venture called J Hotels which recently acquired a $66 million mid-block parcel in Chelsea, New York. Jay-Z and his partners are contemplating constructing a high-end hotel or an art gallery building on the newly acquired site which has the potential to go up about twelve stories.<ref>[http://www.hhworlds.com/f11/12-12-07-jay-z-teams-up-j-hotels-develop-66-million-new-york-site-9894.html ''HHWorlds.com'' - Jay-Z Teams Up With J Hotels To Develop On $66 Million New York Site]</ref>

===Live Nation===
According to ''The New York Times'', Jay-Z is finalizing a deal with concert promoter [[Live Nation]] for $150 million, one of the richest contracts ever awarded to a musician. This partnership, which will be named Roc Nation, will include financing for Jay-Z's own entertainment ventures (which are expected to become a record label, talent/management agency, and music publishing company). Live Nation is expected to contribute $5 million a year in overhead for five years, with another $25 million available to finance Jay-Z's acquisitions or investments. Roc Nation would then split profits with Live Nation. To finalize the deal, Jay-Z will depart from Def Jam Records after he turns in his last required album under his talent contract. Jay-Z is the first [[hip-hop]] artist to sign with Live Nation.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/03/arts/music/03jayz.html In Rapper’s Deal, a New Model for Music Business]" ''[[New York Times]]''. April 3, 2008. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.</ref>

===StarRoc===
Jay-Z and [[Stargate (production team)|Stargate]] have created a new label, [[StarRoc]]. The recording studio will be based in Jay-Z's Manhattan Roc the Mic studio. Although there are no new artists signed yet, all artists will be signed to 360 contracts, which includes endorsements, record sales, and concert revenue.<ref>http://www.allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2008/09/28/20536457.aspx</ref><ref>http://www.rapbasement.com/jay-z/092308-details-on-jay-z-s-new-record-label-leak.html</ref>

==Personal life==
===Criminal charges===
In 1999, Jay-Z was accused of stabbing record executive Lance "Un" Rivera for what Jay-Z perceived was Rivera's bootlegging of ''Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter''. The stabbing allegedly occurred at the record release party for [[Q-Tip (rapper)|Q-Tip's]] debut solo album ''[[Amplified (Q-Tip album)|Amplified]]'' at the Kit Kat Klub, a now defunct night club in [[Times Square]], [[New York City]], on December 9. Jay-Z's associates at the party were accused of causing a commotion within the club, which Jay-Z allegedly used as cover when he supposedly stabbed Rivera in the stomach with a five-inch (127 mm) blade.<ref>Handlin, Sam. [http://www.courttv.com/archive/trials/jay-z/101701_ctv.html Jay-Z pleads guilty to stabbing record executive]. Courttv.com. October 18, 2001. Retrieved June 18, 2006.</ref>

Jay-Z initially denied the incident and pleaded not guilty when a grand jury returned the indictment. Jay-Z and his lawyers contended he was nowhere around Rivera during the incident and they had witnesses and videotape evidence from the club that showed Jay-Z's whereabouts during the disturbance. Nevertheless, he later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge that resulted in a sentence of three years probation. Jay-Z makes reference to the trial and incident on his songs "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)", on ''The Blueprint'', "Threat", on ''The Black Album'', "I Did It My Way" on ''The Blueprint 2: The Curse'', and "Dear Summer", which was included in Memphis Bleek's 2005 release ''[[534 (album)|534]]''. Nas references this on "Ether" with the lyrics: "your man stabbed 'Un' and made you take the blame". Rival rapper [[Cam'ron]] claimed on a diss song ("Gotta Love It") that the stabbing had actually been over female rapper [[Charli Baltimore]].

===Romantic life===
Jay-Z's most public relationship to date has been with American R&B singer [[Beyoncé Knowles]], a former member of [[Destiny's Child]]. In 1998, Jay-Z was featured on a song by producer [[Timbaland]], titled "Lobster & Scrimp", which references Destiny's Child's first single [[No, No, No (Destiny's Child song)|"No, No, No"]]. His lyrics include "She said, 'You're stressin me now,'/Said, 'No No No,' then, 'Yea yea yea' like she Destiny's Child." In 1999, Jay-Z directed rapper [[Amil]]'s video for "I Got That", in which Beyoncé was featured. In 2001, Jay-Z was featured on a song by [[Missy Elliott]], titled [[One Minute Man|"One Minute Man (Remix)"]], in which he raps "Get your 'Independent' ass out of here - QUESTION?", a reference to the Destiny's Child 2000 single "[[Independent Women Part I]]". Destiny's Child was also seen in his 2001 video "[[Izzo (H.O.V.A.)]]," lip-syncing some of his raps. However, some fans mark their relationship as going public in their collaboration on "Bonnie & Clyde", the first single off his 2002 album ''The Blueprint 2 - The Gift and the Curse''. His lyrics include "Let's lock this down like it's supposed to be/ The Bonnie and Clyde, Hov and B." Jay-Z returned the favor the next year on Beyoncé's hit single "[[Crazy in Love (Beyonc%C3%A9 song)|Crazy In Love]]" and as well as "[[That's How You Like It"]] from her debut ''[[Dangerously in Love]]''. On her second album, ''[[B%27Day|B’Day]]'', he made appearances on the 2006 hits, "[[D%C3%A9j%C3%A0 Vu (Beyonc%C3%A9 Knowles song)|Déjà vu]]" and "[[Upgrade U]]". In the video for the latter song, she comically imitates his appearance.

The couple generally avoid discussing their relationship. Beyoncé has stated that she believes that not publicly discussing their relationship has helped them. Jay-Z said in a ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' article, "We don't play with our relationship." They keep a low public profile despite being photographed at [[New Jersey Nets]] home games and while on vacation in [[Cannes]] in 2007. The pair were listed as a Power Couple on [[Time (magazine)|Time Magazine's]] 100's Most Influential People of 2006.

On April 4, 2008, it was reported by ''People'' that Knowles and Jay-Z had been married at a private ceremony in New York City.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20188764,00.html |title=Source: Beyoncé and Jay-Z Are Married |accessdate=2008-04-04 |work=People.com |date=April 4, 2008}}</ref> It became a matter of public record on April 22, 2008,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Helling |first=Steve |title=Beyonce and Jay-Z File Signed Marriage License |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20194030,00.html |work=People |date=(2008-04-22) |accessdate=2008-04-23}}</ref> but Knowles did not publicly debut her $5 million [[Lorraine Schwartz]]-designed [[wedding ring]] until the Fashion Rocks concert on September 5, 2008 in New York City.<ref>"Beyonce's ring revealed!" ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'', Vol. 70, No. 12, September 22, 2008, pg. 26.</ref>

===Philanthropy===
During his retirement, Jay-Z also became involved in [[philanthropy|philanthropic]] activity. On August 9, 2006, he met with [[United Nations|UN]] [[United Nations Secretary-General|Secretary General]] [[Kofi Annan]] at the organization's headquarters in [[New York City|New York]]. The rapper pledged to use his upcoming world tour to raise awareness of – and combat – global water shortage. Already on the look-out for a way to, in his own words, "become helpful", he had been made aware of this issue during a visit to [[Africa]].<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-08-09-jay-z-water_x.htm Jay-Z helps UN focus on world water crisis], [[USA Today]], August 9, 2006. Retrieved June 4, 2006</ref> The effort took place in partnership with the UN,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/|title=International Decade for Action: Water for Life, 2005 - 2015|publisher=[[United Nations]]|accessdate=2008-06-04}}</ref> as well as [[MTV]], which produced a documentary entitled ''Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life'', first airing in November 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.waterforlife.mtv.com|title=Water for Life|publisher=[[MTV]]|accessdate=2008-06-04}}</ref>

Jay-Z also, along with [[Sean Combs|Sean "Diddy" Combs]], pledged [[United States dollar|USD]] 1 million to the [[American Red Cross]]' relief effort after [[Hurricane Katrina]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9163246/|title=Diddy, Jay-Z give $1 million to Red Cross|date=2005-09-02|publisher=[[MSNBC]]|accessdate=2008-06-04}}</ref> Jay-Z stated his support for [[Kanye West]] after the latter's outburst against President [[George W. Bush|Bush]] during a live Katrina charity telethon.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9248483/|title=Jay-Z backs Kanye West’s telethon outburst|date=2005-09-07|publisher=[[MSNBC]]|accessdate=2008-06-04}}</ref> He also addressed the issue of the Katrina disaster, and the government's response, in his song "[[Minority Report (Jay-Z song)|Minority Report]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1552173/20070212/jay_z.jhtml|title=For The Record: Quick News On Jay-Z, Metallica, Bow Wow, John Legend, J Dilla, Sufjan Stevens & More|date=2007-02-12|publisher=[[MTV]]|accessdate=2008-06-05}}</ref>

==Controversy==

===Mobb Deep===
Shortly after the release of ''Murda Muzik'', Jay-Z spoke out against the duo [[Mobb Deep]], leading to an increase in publicity. Rumor has it that [[Prodigy (rapper)|Prodigy]] took issue with two Jay-Z lines that he felt were subliminal shots at Mobb Deep. One line from ''[[Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter]]'' states, "How dare you look at Jigga like I'm shook like boo," which he interpreted as a reference to "[[Shook Ones Pt. II]]." These remarks were compounded with a line from another one of Jay-Z's albums, ''[[Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life]]'': "What the deal is? (huh?)/Its like New York's been soft Ever since [[Snoop Dogg|Snoop]] came through and crushed the buildings," which Prodigy felt referenced Mobb Deep's beef with [[Tupac Shakur]], Snoop Dogg, and [[Death Row Records]]. Later, at the [[Hot 97]] [[Summer Jam]] show of 2001, Jay-Z performed "[[Takeover (song)|Takeover]]," which attacked Prodigy and was later re-recorded for his album ''[[The Blueprint]]''. He also revealed [[photograph]]s of a young Prodigy dressed up like [[Michael Jackson]] in 1983, although Jay-Z claimed it was 1988.

===The Grey Album===
{{main|Grey Album}}
''[[The Grey Album]]'' is an album by [[Danger Mouse]], released in 2004, using an ''[[a cappella]]'' version of Jay-Z's ''The Black Album'' coupled with instrumentals created from a multitude of unauthorized samples from [[The Beatles]]'s ''The White Album''. ''The Grey Album'' gained notoriety due to the response by [[EMI]] in attempting to halt its distribution and the "Grey Tuesday", a day of coordinated [[electronic civil disobedience]]. Jay-Z has not publicly commented on ''The Grey Album''. The album is still available as download on the Internet and often billed as "Jay-Z and Danger Mouse", "Jay-Z vs Danger Mouse" or "Jay-Z "The Black Album" vs. The Beatles "White Album"".<ref>[http://www.fiql.com/playlists/jayz_dj_danger_mouse_the_grey_album/ FIQL Playlist - Jay-Z + DJ Danger Mouse - The Grey Album<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://thepiratebay.org/tor/3527978/DJ_Dangermouse_-_The_Grey_Album_(Jay-Z_The_Black_Album_v DJ Dangermouse - The Grey Album (Jay-Z "The Black Album" v (download torrent) - TPB<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://sandbox.pair.com/abstract/greyalbum.html Abstract: Danger Mouse & Jay-Z "The Grey Album"<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

===Joe Budden===
[[Joe Budden]] raised eyebrows on a remix of "Pump it Up" featuring Jay-Z where the rappers ''appeared'' to be battling each other.<ref>[http://lyrics.astraweb.com/display/714/joe_budden..unknown..pump_it_up_remix.html Lyrics to the rather infamous "Pump it Up" remix<!-- Bot generated article -->]</ref> This has led to speculations of bad blood between the two being a factor in the constant delays ''The Growth'' has suffered, since Jay-Z was the President of Joe's then parent label, namely, [[Def Jam]]. However, both men have denied this.<ref>[http://xxlmag.com/online/?p=5415 Jay Z interview that mentions "The Growth" delays<!-- Bot generated article -->]</ref> But more conversation was brought up, e.g., how Dame Dash signed Budden to Roc-A-Fella without telling Jay-Z, whom Dame was partners with at the time. Later, Joe would be let go from Def Jam while under Jay-Z's presidency, and his second album would never be released.

On the song titled "Talk 2 Em", which leaked December 15, 2007, Budden took stabs at Jay-Z's relevance as an artist and his abilities as Def Jam president. He expressed his thoughts and feelings toward his former boss,
<blockquote>
“Maybe you should study your understudy/I mean, are we hustlin’/or are we grown up/every time I hear you/ya changin’ ya tone up/when the new generation think about Jordan/all they remember is when Iverson crossed ‘em/take off the blazer, loosen up the tie/n***as fell in love when Superman died.”
</blockquote>

Since this time, Jay-Z hasn't directly responded.<ref>[http://www.hhworlds.com/f11/12-20-07-joe-budden-jay-z-stop-rapping-hang-up-10490.html HHWorlds.com - Joe Budden On Jay-Z, "Stop Rapping, Hang It Up"<!-- Bot generated article -->]</ref>

===The Game===
The feud between The Game and [[Roc-A-Fella Records]] grew out of an earlier rivalry with [[Memphis Bleek]] over the name of his label ([[Get Low Records]]), which was similar to the one The Game was previously signed to ([[Get Low Recordz]]). On the single "[[Westside Story (song)|Westside Story]]", The Game raps that "I don't do button-up shirts or drive [[maybach]]s", which was perceived as being directed towards Jay-Z. Later Jay-Z performed a freestyle on [[Funkmaster Flex]]'s radio show on Hot 97 and in it, he repeatedly used the word "game", which some hip-hop fans believed was directed towards The Game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20050226070341/http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=4077|title=Game Says No Beef With Jay-Z, Speaks on Amsterdam Comments|accessmonthday=July 27|accessyear=2007|author=Clover Hope|date=February 14, 2005|publisher=Allhiphop}}</ref> The Game responded with the track "My Bitch" and made several remarks directed at Roc-A-Fella Records on several other tracks.

While The Game was feuding with Roc-A-Fella artists, his first album featured production from [[Kanye West]] and [[Just Blaze]],<ref>
{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.com/Documentary-Game/dp/B0006ZQ9BS|title=The Documentary|accessmonthday=January 29|accessyear=2007|publisher=Amazon}}</ref> two Roc-A-Fella producers. In an interview with [[Ed Lover]] and [[Monie Love]], The Game said the Maybach line on "Westside Story" was referring to [[Ja Rule]]. He also said he has a lot of respect for Jay-Z and would never take shots at a legend. Jay-Z later insisted that the "game" references were just about the rap game itself, not the rapper. The Game still addressed Memphis Bleek, [[Beanie Sigel]] and [[Young Gunz]] on some songs, but the feud between them cooled off. There were rumors that Jay-Z was planning on "declaring war" on The Game and others at a concert. He instead used the opportunity to make peace with many of his rivals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://allhiphop.com/blogs/news/archive/2005/10/27/18130470.aspx|title= Jay-Z and Nas Officially Dead Beef|accessmonthday=July 27|accessyear=2007|author=Seandra Sims and Houston Williams|date=October 27, 2005|publisher=Allhiphop}}</ref> In 2008, The Game wanted to beef with Jay-Z because "his beef is mediocre beef."

===Glastonbury controversy===
On February 1, 2008 it was announced that Jay-Z would headline the [[Glastonbury Festival 2008|2008 Glastonbury Festival]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7223232.stm BBC NEWS Entertainment | Jay-Z confirmed for Glastonbury<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Oasis (band)|Oasis']]
[[Noel Gallagher]] criticised the organizers of the festival for scheduling Jay-Z as a headliner for the traditionally guitar-driven event, stating "If it ain't broke don't fix it. If you start to break it then people aren't going to go. I'm sorry, but Jay-Z? No chance. Glastonbury has a tradition of guitar music and even when they throw the odd curve ball in on a Sunday night you go 'Kylie Minogue?' I don't know about it. But I'm not having hip hop at Glastonbury. It's wrong."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7345780.stm|title=Hip-hop "wrong" for Glastonbury|publisher=BBC News|date=2008-04-12|accessdate=2008-05-07}}</ref> A controversy ensued in the months leading up to the event with artists, promoters and fans weighing in both for and against. Jay-Z responded to this controversy saying, "We don't play guitars, Noel, but hip hop has put in its work like any other form of music. This headline show is just a natural progression. Rap music is still evolving. From Afrika Bambaataa DJ-ing in the Bronx and Run DMC going platinum, to Jazzy Jeff And The Fresh Prince winning the first rap Grammy, I'm just next in the line. We have to respect each other's genre of music and move forward."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ndtvmusic.com/story.asp?id=ENTEN20080049721|title=Noel Gallagher is narrow minded: Jay-Z|publisher=NDTVmusic.com|date=2008-05-13|accessdate=2008-05-13}}</ref>

Jay-Z opened his set at the [[Glastonbury Festival 2008|2008 Glastonbury Festival]] with a cover of Oasis' classic "[[Wonderwall]]." [[The Independent]] newspaper reported that Jay-Z turned [[Noel Gallagher]]'s criticism "into one of the great Glastonbury moments. Taking to the stage flanked by guitarists and in front of a Union Jack backdrop, the rapper led the sizeable crowd in a sing- along of "Wonderwall"."<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/a-glastonbury-legend-is-born-856654.html A Glastonbury legend is born - News, Music - The Independent<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> After Glastonbury [[Noel Gallagher]] downplayed his comments, saying to the [[BBC]], "For the record, I Iike Jay-Z. That's my opinion. If it offends people, don't ask me anymore questions"<ref>[http://www.adatez.com/200807054357/the_buzz/news/oasis_noel_gallagher.htm ADateZ Inc. Noel Gallagher: 'I Like Jay-Z Despite Glastonbury Wrong'<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Jay-Z followed the controversy up be referring to the incident in the track "[[Jockin' Jay-Z (Dope Boy Fresh)]]": ""That bloke from Oasis said I couldn't play guitar, someone shoulda told him I'm a fuckin' rock star."<ref>{{cite web|last=Daniels|first=Adam|date=2008-08-08|title=Update: Jay-Z continues Oasis beef, hints at Blueprint 3|work=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|publisher=Paste Media Group|url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/08/jayz-covers-oasis-at-glastonbury-festival.html|accessdate=2009-01-02}}</ref>

===Lil Wayne===
On the song "Beat Without Bass", [[Lil Wayne]] takes a surprising attack at Jay-Z on verse stating

"You old ass rappers better stay on tour/ You like 44/ I got a 44 I'm 24 I could murk you and come out when I'm 44"

While Wayne doesnt explictly out names, on December 06 issue of Complex Magazine in which Weezy stated "I'm better than (Jay-Z)...I'm 24 years old. ... I'm 13 years deep with five albums and 10 million records sold." He continued, "I don't like what he's saying about how he had to come back because hip-hop's dead and we need him...What the f--- do you mean? If anything it's reborn, so he's probably having a problem with that. You left on a good note, and all of the artists were saying, 'Yo, this is Jay's house. He's the best.' Now he comes back and still thinks it's his house... It's not your house anymore, and I'm better than you." Jay-Z had decided to keep quiet denying a real beef between the two, until a track off [[T.I.]]'s "[[TI vs TIP]] album "Watch What You Say To Me" Jay-Z takes an unexpected subliminal on Lil Wayne, rapping, "I hear you baiting me lately / I've been doing my best just to stay hater free / Still... watch what you say to me / Sooner or later I take you up on your offering / Put you all in your place / Like I'm replacing your father / You're talking to the author / The architect of the Blueprint/ My DNA in your music / Muthafucka... watch what you say to me." Lil Wayne responded with a freestyle over "Ether", the Nas song about his feud with Jay-Z. Eventually, the beef was squashed between them, and the two of them recorded tracks together like "Hello Brooklyn 2.0," "[[Mr. Carter]]," and "[[Swagga Like Us]]."

==Discography==
{{main|Jay-Z discography}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
;Solo albums
* ''[[Reasonable Doubt]]'' (1996)
* ''[[In My Lifetime, Vol. 1]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter]]'' (1999)
* ''[[The Dynasty: Roc La Familia]]'' (2000)
* ''[[The Blueprint]]'' (2001)
* ''[[The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse]]'' (2002)
* ''[[The Black Album (Jay-Z album)|The Black Album]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Kingdom Come (album)|Kingdom Come]]'' (2006)
* ''[[American Gangster (album)|American Gangster]]'' (2007)
* ''[[The Blueprint 3]]'' (2009)
{{col-3}}

;Collaboration albums
* ''[[Streets Is Watching (soundtrack)|Streets Is Watching]]'' (1998)
* ''[[The Best of Both Worlds (R. Kelly & Jay-Z album)|The Best of Both Worlds]]'' (2002) – with [[R. Kelly]]
* ''[[Unfinished Business (R. Kelly & Jay-Z album)|Unfinished Business]]'' (2004) – with R. Kelly
* ''[[Collision Course (album)|Collision Course]]'' (2004) – with [[Linkin Park]]
{{col-end}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
;Compilation albums
* ''[[Jay-Z: Unplugged]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Chapter One: Greatest Hits]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Bring It On: The Best of Jay-Z]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Greatest Hits (Jay-Z album)|Greatest Hits]]'' (2006)
{{col-end}}

==Grammy Award history==
{| class="wikitable"
!align="212"|Year
!align="left"|Category
!align="left"|Title
!align="left"|Result
|-
|- ALIGN=CENTER
|1999
|[[Best Rap Solo Performance]]
|"Hard Knock Life"
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=CENTER
|1999
|[[Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group]]
|"Money Ain't a Thang" <small>(with [[Jermaine Dupri]])</small>
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=CENTER
|1999
|[[Best Rap Album]]
|''Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life''
|Won
|- ALIGN=CENTER
|2001
|Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group
|"Big Pimpin" <small>(with [[UGK]])</small>
|Won
|- ALIGN=CENTER
|2001
|Best Rap Album
|''Vol. 3: The Life and Times of S. Carter''
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=CENTER
|2002
|Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group
|"Change the Game"
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=CENTER
|2002
|[[Best Rap Solo Performance]]
|"Izzo (H.O.V.A.)"
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=CENTER
|2003
|[[Best Male Rap Solo Performance]]
|"Song Cry"
|Nominated
|- ALIGN= CENTER
|2004
|Best Rap Album
|''The Blueprint 2: The Gift & Curse''
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=CENTER
|2004
|[[Grammy Award for Best Rap Song|Best Rap Song]]
|"Excuse Me Miss" <small>(with [[Pharrell]])</small>
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=CENTER
|2004
|[[Best Rap/Sung Collaboration]]
|"Frontin" <small>(with [[Pharrell]])</small>
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=CENTER
|2004
|[[Best R&B Song]]
|"Crazy In Love" <small>(with [[Beyonce]])</small>
|Won
|- ALIGN=CENTER
|2004
|Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
|"Crazy In Love" <small>(with [[Beyonce]])</small>
|Won
|- ALIGN=CENTER
|2004
|[[Record of the Year]]
|"Crazy In Love" <small>(with [[Beyonce]])</small>
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=CENTER
|2005
|Best Rap Solo Performance
|"99 Problems"
| Won
|- ALIGN=CENTER
|2005
|Best Rap Album
|''The Black Album''
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=Center
|2005
|Best Rap Song
|"99 Problems"
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=Center
|2006
|Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
|"Numb/Encore" <small>(with [[Linkin Park]])</small>
|Won
|- ALIGN=Center
|2007
|Best R&B Song
|"Deja Vu" <small>(with [[Beyonce]])</small>
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=Center
|2007
|Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
|"Deja Vu" <small>(with [[Beyonce]])</small>
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=Center
|2008
|Record of the Year
|"Umbrella" <small>(with [[Rihanna]])</small>
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=Center
|2008
|Song of the Year
|"Umbrella" <small>(with [[Rihanna]])</small>
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=Center
|2008
|Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
|"Umbrella" <small>(with [[Rihanna]])</small>
|Won
|- ALIGN=Center
|2008
|Best Rap Solo Performance
|"Show Me What You Got"
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=Center
|2008
|Best Rap Album
|"Kingdom Come"
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=Center
|2009
|Album of the Year
|''Tha Carter III''
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=Center
|2009
|Best Rap Album
|''American Gangster''
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=Center
|2009
|Best Rap Song
|"Swagga Like Us" <small>(with [[T.I.]], [[Kanye West]], & [[Lil Wayne]])</small>
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=Center
|2009
|Best Rap Solo Performance
|"Roc Boys (And the Winner Is...)"
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=Center
|2009
|Best Rap Performance By a Duo or a Group
|"Swagga Like Us" <small>(with [[T.I.]], [[Kanye West]], & [[Lil Wayne]])</small>
|Nominated
|- ALIGN=Center
|2009
|Best Rap Performance By a Duo or a Group
|"Mr. Carter" <small>(with [[Lil Wayne]])</small>
|Nominated
|}

==Filmography==
{|class="wikitable"
! align="center"width="214" rowspan="1"| Film
! align="center"width="320" rowspan="1"| Year
|-
| ''[[Streets Is Watching (film)|Streets Is Watching]]''
| (1998)
|-
| ''[[Hard Knock Life (film)|Hard Knock Life]]''
| (2000)
|-
| ''[[State Property]]''
| (2002)
|-
| ''[[Paper Soldiers]]''
| (2002)
|-
| ''[[Fade to Black (film)|Fade to Black]]''
| (2004)
|-
| ''Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life''
| (2006)
|}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{wikiquote}}
* [http://www.jay-z.com Official website]
* {{MySpace|jayz}}
* [[lyricwiki:Jay-Z|Jay-Z lyrics]] at [[LyricWiki]]
* [http://www.rocafella.com/Artist.aspx?id=1&avid=121&idj=352 Roc-a-Fella Records profile]
* [http://www.defjam.com/ Def Jam Recordings]
* [http://www.scarteracademy.com/ S. Carter Academy]
* [http://www.the4040club.com/ The 40/40 Club]
* [http://www.rocawear.com/ Rocawear]
* {{imdb name|id=0419650|name=Jay-Z}}

{{Jay-Z}}
{{Roc-A-Fella Records}}

{{Persondata
|NAME=Jay-Z
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Carter, Shawn Corey
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=Rapper, entrepreneur
|DATE OF BIRTH=December 4, 1969
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Brooklyn]], [[New York]], United States
|DATE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
[[Category:Jay-Z|Jay-Z]]
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:African American musicians]]
[[Category:American dance musicians]]
[[Category:American music industry executives]]
[[Category:American record producers]]
[[Category:Freestyle rappers]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:New York City rappers]]
[[Category:People from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Roc-A-Fella Records artists]]

[[ar:جاي زي]]
[[bg:Джей Зи]]
[[cs:Jay-Z]]
[[da:Jay-Z]]
[[de:Jay-Z]]
[[el:Jay-Z]]
[[es:Jay-Z]]
[[fr:Jay-Z]]
[[fy:Jay-Z]]
[[ko:제이-지]]
[[hr:Jay-Z]]
[[id:Jay-Z]]
[[it:Jay-Z]]
[[he:ג'יי זי]]
[[ka:ჯეი-ზი]]
[[lv:Jay-Z]]
[[lt:Jay-Z]]
[[nl:Jay-Z]]
[[ja:ジェイ・Z]]
[[no:Jay-Z]]
[[pl:Jay-Z]]
[[pt:Jay-Z]]
[[ro:Jay-Z]]
[[ru:Jay-Z]]
[[simple:Jay-Z]]
[[sk:Jay-Z]]
[[so:Jay-Z]]
[[sh:Jay-Z]]
[[fi:Jay-Z]]
[[sv:Jay-Z]]
[[ta:ஜெய்-சி]]
[[th:เจย์-ซี]]
[[tr:Jay-Z]]
[[uk:Jay-Z]]
[[zh:Jay-Z/Temp]]

Revision as of 02:50, 10 January 2009

.

Retrieved from "https://wiki.riteme.site/w/index.php?title=Jay-Z&oldid=263104029"