Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos

JAY-Z: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last updated

News •

Paul McCartney is worth $1.4 billion. His biggest asset is a $250 million song publisher • Nov. 11, 2026, 2:53 AM ET (Fortune)
Jay-Z picks himself to headline the Super Bowl halftime show at SoFi Stadium in Southern California • Oct. 27, 2026, 1:08 PM ET (AP)
John Legend on Pharrell’s musical push, Jay-Z’s praise and new creative challenges with ‘Muse’ • Oct. 23, 2026, 6:27 AM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As Shawn Corey Carter • Jay Z • Jay-Z
Born December 4, 1969 (age 56) • New York City • New York
Awards And Honors Grammy Award (2025) • Grammy Award (2022) • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (2021) • Grammy Award (2021) • Grammy Award (2019) • Grammy Award (2015) • Grammy Award (2014) • Grammy Award (2013) • Grammy Award (2012) • Grammy Award (2011) • Grammy Award (2010) • Grammy Award (2009) • Grammy Award (2008) • Grammy Award (2006) • Grammy Award (2005) • Grammy Award (2004) • Grammy Award (1999)
Notable Works “4:44” • “Magna Carta Holy Grail” • “Reasonable Doubt” • “The Blueprint 3” • “Watch the Throne”
Notable Family Members spouse Beyoncé

Photos

JAY-Z
Jay-Z wearing a white jacket and dark sunglasses performs on stage, holding a microphone and looking toward the audience under dramatic lighting.
Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z, both in tuxedos, perform with microphones on stage at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
Beyonce and Jay-Z holding hands while performing on stage, Beyonce in a black bodysuit and thigh-high boots, Jay-Z in a jacket and pants, with blue stage lighting behind them.
Shawn Carter, also known as Jay-Z, wearing a black tuxedo and bow tie, smiles while attending The Harder They Fall premiere at the BFI London Film Festival.
See All Images →
Eminem stands on stage wearing a black hooded jacket and holding a microphone, with blurred purple and white lights in the background during the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show.
Eminem
American rapper and record producer
default image
Dr. Dre
American rapper, hip-hop producer, and entrepreneur
Missy Elliott performs on stage wearing a black and gold outfit, holding a sparkling microphone and smiling during the MTV Video Music Awards.
Missy Elliott
American rapper and music producer
Ludacris wearing a gray suit, light blue shirt, and patterned tie, smiling at an event in 2011.
Ludacris
American rapper and actor
Kendrick Lamar performs onstage wearing a black outfit and patterned sash, holding a microphone, with stage lights and smoke in the background.
Kendrick Lamar
American musician
LL Cool J smiles while wearing a black flat cap, black suit, and patterned tie against a blue background at the Paramount Network Launch Party.
LL Cool J
American rapper and actor
Snoop Dogg, 2008
Snoop Dogg
American rapper and actor
Sean Combs poses on the red carpet in a white suit at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards, with event signage in the background.
Sean Combs
American rapper and record producer
Kanye West, 2006
Kanye West
American producer, rapper, and designer
Lil Wayne performs on stage wearing a white t-shirt, camouflage shorts, and a black cap, holding a microphone and pointing toward the audience under concert lighting.
Lil Wayne
American rapper
Queen Latifah smiles at the camera, wearing a black jacket with white lapels and a large jeweled heart necklace at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
Queen Latifah
American musician and actress
CeeLo Green
CeeLo Green
American singer, rapper, and songwriter
The Notorious B.I.G.
The Notorious B.I.G.
American rapper
Dolly Parton smiles while holding a microphone, wearing a green outfit with sparkling details, in front of a red background.
Dolly Parton
American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actress
Janet Jackson poses with hands in pockets, wearing a gray suit and white shirt, in front of a blue backdrop with Grammy Hall of Fame Gala and Warner Records logos.
Janet Jackson
American entertainer
default image
Antwan André Patton
American rapper
Ice-T performs on stage wearing a red cap, a black England football jersey, and a large cross necklace, holding a microphone to his mouth.
Ice-T
American rapper and actor
Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X
American rapper, singer, and songwriter
Ice Cube wearing a black Raiders cap and black shirt at the Los Angeles premiere of Straight Outta Compton.
Ice Cube
American rapper and actor
Nicki Minaj performs on stage wearing a gold crown, a neon green studded jacket, and a pink and blonde wig, holding a pink microphone during her Pink Friday tour in London.
Nicki Minaj
Trinidadian-born singer, songwriter, and television personality

Related Quizzes

USA 2006 - 78th Annual Academy Awards. Closeup of giant Oscar statue at the entrance of the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Hompepage blog 2009, arts and entertainment, film movie hollywood
Pop Culture Quiz
Green Day, American punk rock band
2000s Music Quiz