Discover the story of the song > Shining (feat. Beyoncé) – Jay-Z

Jay-Z is one of the most popular and beloved rap stars of all time. A Brooklyn native, Jay-Z has built a career that has spanned more than two decades and earned him millions of fans, multiple Grammy Awards and a net worth of more than $1 billion.

Jay-Z, who was also known as Jazzy, began making music in school alongside rap legends such as The Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes. After failing to secure a recording contract, Jay-Z formed Roc-A-Fella Records in 1996 and released his successful debut album Reasonable Doubt. This album was followed by a string of hits, including the iconic Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem) and the New York anthem Empire State of Mind.

In addition to being an acclaimed rapper, Jay-Z has also enjoyed success as an entrepreneur. He was the president of Def Jam Records and owns his own clothing line, as well as a music streaming service. He is also a successful businessman, having made investments in companies such as Uber and JetSmarter.

Always pushing himself to new heights, one of his recent projects, 4:44 (2017), is a collaboration with No I.D. that includes appearances by Frank Ocean, Damian Marley and Beyoncé. He continues to be one of the most influential and beloved figures in music.