Jay-Z

Jay-Z (a.k.a. Jigga, Hova, or Young Hov'; born Shawn Carter on December 4, 1969 in Brooklyn, New York) is a rap/hip hop performer and record label executive; one of the most popular and successful rappers of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Besides pursuing his own career, Jay-Z was one of the founders of Roc-a-Fella Records, a successful hip-hop label which also launched the careers of Beanie Sigel, Kanye West, Memphis Bleek, Young Gunz, Freeway, and others. Known for his metaphoric lines, freestyling abilities, crafty wordplay, and blending of street and popular hip hop, Jay-Z became one of the most respected rappers in the music industry before announcing his retirement from recording in 2004. Jay-Z was later appointed the new president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings. As of 2005, he is estimated to be worth $320 million, and is dating R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles.

Discography

For a complete list of albums and singles, see: Jay-Z discography

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Top Ten US and UK Singles

The following singles reached the Top Ten on either the US or UK pop charts:

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• 1997: "I'll Be" (Foxy Brown feat. Jay-Z) #7 US, #9 UK
• 1998: "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" #15 US, #2 UK
• 1999: "Heartbreaker" (Mariah Carey feat. Jay-Z) #1 US, #5 UK
• 2000: "I Just Wanna Luv U (Give It 2 Me) (feat. Pharrell Williams) #1 US
• 2001: "Fiesta" (R. Kelly feat. Jay-Z) #6 US, #23 UK
• 2001: "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" #8 US, #21 UK
• 2002: "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" (feat. Beyoncé Knowles) #2 US, #2 UK
• 2003: "Excuse Me Miss" (feat. Pharrell Williams) #8 US, #17 UK
• 2003: "Crazy in Love" (Beyoncé Knowles feat. Jay-Z) #1 US, #1 UK
• 2003: "Beware of the Boys (Mundian to Bach Ke)" (Panjabi MC feat. Jay-Z) #33 US, #5 UK
• 2003: "Frontin'" (Pharrell Williams feat. Jay-Z) #5 US, #6 UK
• 2003: "Change Clothes" (feat. Pharrell Williams) #10 US, #32 UK
• 2004: "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" #5 US

Albums

• 1996: Reasonable Doubt #23 US (Platinum)
• 1997: In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 #3 US (Platinum)
• 1998: ' #1 US (5x Platinum)
• 1999: ' #1 US (3x Platinum)
• 2000: ' #1 US (2x Platinum)
• 2001: The Blueprint #1 US (2x Platinum), #30 UK
• 2001: ' (Performed Live with The Roots) #31 US (Gold)
• 2002: The Best of Both Worlds (with R. Kelly) #2 US (Platinum), #37 UK
• 2002: ' (halved and reissued as The Blueprint 2.1 in 2003) #1 US (3x Platinum), #23 UK (The Blueprint 2); #17 US (The Blueprint 2.1)
• 2003: The Black Album #1 US (2x Platinum), #34 UK
• 2004: Unfinished Business (with R. Kelly) #1 US, #61 UK
• 2004: Collision Course (with Linkin Park) #1 US (Platinum), #15 UK