Things you may not know about Jay-Z

JAY-Z was born Shawn Carter and got his childhood nickname ‘Jazzy’ from his neighborhood kids for his rapping skills. He later adopted his current stage name as a tribute to his mentor Jaz-O. In 2011, Georgetown University launched a course dedicated to JAY-Z, “Sociology of Hip-Hop: Jay-Z,” which was taught by sociologist Michael Eric Dyson. While explaining the curriculum, Dyson said: “We look at (Jay-Z’s) incredible body of work, we look at his own understanding of his work, we look at others who reflect upon him, and then we ask the students to engage in critical analysis of Jay-Z himself.”
His sixth studio album, “The Blueprint,” was released on Sept. 11, 2001 – coinciding with the 9/11 World Trade Center terrorist attacks. Speaking about it, he said: “Of course [it was a] very powerful and painful day for us, but again, we … [are] showing our resolve. We are New Yorkers, we’re known for being tough and we’re really cool once you get to know us. But we’re known for being tough, so I didn’t doubt us for one second.”
The American rapper’s first No. 1 song as lead artist on the Billboard Hot 100 was “Empire State of Mind” from his 11th studio album, “The Blueprint 3” (2009).
During an interview with Oprah Winfrey, the rapper revealed that he and his wife Beyoncé have a special Sunday dinner tradition. He said: “There’s a great pizza spot we go to every Sunday. It’s our tradition. It’s a small place in Brooklyn, you can bring your own wine, and there are candles there. It’s a nice date.”
At the age of 15, JAY-Z lost a rap contest at Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., which was judged by LL Cool J. However, some years later, he beat the latter in a rap battle.
He reportedly never writes down his lyrics, instead memorizing them before recording at a studio.
When asked by fans about his favorite film during an AOL chat, he said it’s a tie between “Godfather II” (1974) and “True Romance” (1993).
JAY-Z was given the name “Sir Hova of Brooklyn” by Paul McCartney, who also informally knighted him in an unofficial ceremony.
In 1999, his third studio album “Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life” won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. However, JAY-Z boycotted the ceremony, saying, “I am boycotting the Grammys because too many major rap artists continue to be overlooked. Rappers deserve more attention from the Grammy committee and from the whole world.”
In 2012, JAY-Z launched a Facebook game, “Empire,” resembling his story. The game’s press release stated: “Empire takes you on a journey from the streets of Marcy Housing in Brooklyn to the hotspots of the rich and famous: from hustler, to entrepreneur, to business mogul.”
He owns a chain of sports bars called 40/40 Club. The name is derived from the baseball term used for players who have 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a single season. The first bar was opened in New York City in 2003.
In 2009, JAY-Z, along with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, co-produced a musical – “Fela!” – based on Nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti.
His love of sports led him to founding Roc Nation Sports, a sub-division of Roc Nation, in 2013. The aim of the sports management group is to support athletes in building their career.
At the 2008 Glastonbury Festival, he became the first major hip-hop artist to headline the prestigious U.K. festival.
JAY-Z and Beyoncé welcomed their daughter Blue Ivy on Jan. 7, 2012. Two days later, the rapper’s song “Glory” premiered on his website LifeandTimes.com, featuring his daughter. The song had samples of her cries at the end of the track.
JAY-Z and Beyoncé’s favorite city is Paris. During the On the Run tour, he told the audience, “We love Paris. It’s special to us because we got engaged here and this is where baby Blue was conceived.”
After 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, JAY-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs made a joint donation of $1 million to the American Red Cross.
In November 2010, JAY-Z published a memoir, “Decoded,” which was an exploration of his life and lyrics.
In the October 2009 issue of ‘O, The Oprah Magazine,’ the hip-hop artist revealed the names of two books that he lives his life by – “The Seat of the Soul” by Gary Zukav and “The Celestine Prophecy” by James Redfield.
The rapper, knocked off Sean “Diddy” Combs (R) to be named Forbes’ wealthiest hip-hop artist of 2018. He saw an increase in his wealth by $90 million in the last 12 month, attributed to his interests in Armand de Brignac champagne, D’Ussé cognac, Roc Nation and his Tidal music streaming service. His total wealth jumped to $900 million.
In June 2019, Forbes declared him as hip-hop’s first billionaire. His wealth – $1 billion (£800 million) – is mainly based on music, property, fashion and investments.
During an interview with Oprah Winfrey, the rapper revealed that he and his wife Beyoncé have a special Sunday dinner tradition. He said: “There’s a great pizza spot we go to every Sunday. It’s our tradition. It’s a small place in Brooklyn, you can bring your own wine, and there are candles there. It’s a nice date.” s “Empire State of Mind” from his 11th studio album, “The Blueprint 3” (2009). At the age of 15, JAY-Z lost a rap contest at Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., which was judged by LL Cool J. However, some years later, he beat the latter in a rap battle.
He reportedly never writes down his lyrics, instead memorizing them before recording at a studio
When asked by fans about his favorite film during an AOL chat, he said it’s a tie between “Godfather II” (1974, pictured) and “True Romance” (1993).
JAY-Z was given the name “Sir Hova of Brooklyn” by Paul McCartney, who also informally knighted him in an unofficial ceremony.
In 1999, his third studio album “Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life” won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. However, JAY-Z boycotted the ceremony, saying, “I am boycotting the Grammys because too many major rap artists continue to be overlooked. Rappers deserve more attention from the Grammy committee and from the whole world.”
In 2012, JAY-Z launched a Facebook game, “Empire,” resembling his story. The game’s press release stated: “Empire takes you on a journey from the streets of Marcy Housing in Brooklyn to the hotspots of the rich and famous: from hustler, to entrepreneur, to business mogul.”
He owns a chain of sports bars called 40/40 Club. The name is derived from the baseball term used for players who have 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a single season. The first bar was opened in New York City in 2003.
In 2009, JAY-Z, along with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, co-produced a musical – “Fela!” – based on Nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti
His love of sports led him to founding Roc Nation Sports, a sub-division of Roc Nation, in 2013. The aim of the sports management group is to support athletes in building their career.
JAY-Z and Beyoncé welcomed their daughter Blue Ivy on Jan. 7, 2012. Two days later, the rapper’s song “Glory” premiered on his website LifeandTimes.com, featuring his daughter. The song had samples of her cries at the end of the track. JAY-Z and Beyoncé’s favorite city is Paris. During the On the Run tour, he told the audience, “We love Paris. It’s special to us because we got engaged here and this is where baby Blue was conceived.”
After 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, JAY-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs made a joint donation of $1 million to the American Red Cross.
In November 2010, JAY-Z published a memoir, “Decoded,” which was an exploration of his life and lyrics.
In the October 2009 issue of ‘O, The Oprah Magazine,’ the hip-hop artist revealed the names of two books that he lives his life by – “The Seat of the Soul” by Gary Zukav and “The Celestine Prophecy” by James Redfield.
The rapper, knocked off Sean “Diddy” Combs (R) to be named Forbes’ wealthiest hip-hop artist of 2018. He saw an increase in his wealth by $90 million in the last 12 month, attributed to his interests in Armand de Brignac champagne, D’Ussé cognac, Roc Nation and his Tidal music streaming service. His total wealth jumped to $900 million.
In June 2019, Forbes declared him as hip-hop’s first billionaire. His wealth – $1 billion (£800 million) – is mainly based on music, property, fashion and investments.