Jay-Z

Shaun Carter began his career as a protégé of fast talking speed rapper Jaz O and has since risen to become the King Of New York and finally king of seminal worldwide rap franchise Def Jam. Raised on the bleak Marcy Projects of the big apple, Jigga’s rise to prominence was largely due to his savvy business skills. Upon being turned down by every label he approached he, with partners in crime, Damon Dash and Kareem ‘Biggs’ Burke formed Rocafella Records. His back catalogue definitely purports he owns the label as from 1996 to 2003 he released a studio album every year (and two best ofs and a live album) the best being 2001’s ‘The Blueprint’…

Released on the day Osama Bin Laden declared a Jihad on America the mix of real soul and nu-skool beats gave Jay-Z not only the title of ‘King Of New York’ but king of the universe, such was the impact of the LP. On ‘Takeover’ he declared war on rival Nas while sampling the beat and bass from The Doors classic ‘Five To One’. This was not his first globally successful record, 1998’s ‘Hard Knock Life’ granted him mega stardom, but The Blueprint was definitely his most important, followed closely by his 1996 small selling debut ‘Reasonable Doubt’.

Now supposedly retired from making records after the stunning swansong that was 2003’s Black Album Jay-Z is now head of Def Jam records, on the board of directors of the New York Nets basketball team and the co-proprietor of raps most successful clothing line, Rocawear. His fortune is estimated to be nearing half a billion dollars not bad for a boy from the streets and, to be fair, who in their right mind could argue with that.

Essential listening:
The Blueprint (Rocafella /Def Jam, 2001)
Reasonable Doubt (Rocafella, 1996)
Roc La Familiar: The Dynasty (Rocafella /Def Jam, 2000)