Sean Carter "Jay-Z"

Shaw Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), popularly known as Jay-Z or by a variety of nicknames (Jigga, Jay-Hova, Hova, Young Hov, Jigga-Man), is a Hip-Hop artist and current President and CEO of Def Jam. He has been one of the most prolific and successful American rappers of the late 1990s and early 2000s, maintaining both commercial appeal and street credibility.

In a recent MTV top ten list compiled by hip-hop critics, he was listed as the greatest MC of all time, ahead of Rakim, Nas, Tupac Shakur, Big L, and The Notorious B.I.G.

Known for his deft use of metaphor, freestyling abilities, crafty word play, and blending of street and popular hip hop, Jay-Z became one of the most respected rappers in the music industry before his retirement in 2003. He is widely admired for his ability to craft songs from memory, without the use of pen and paper.

He is one of the founders of Roc-A-Fella Records, a hip-hop record label which also launched the careers of artists such as Beanie Sigel, Kanye West, Memphis Bleek, Young Gunz, Freeway, and Teairra Mari. As of 2005, he is estimated to be worth around $320 million (born December 4, 1969), popularly known as Jay-Z or by a variety of nicknames (Jigga, Jay-Hova, Hova, Young Hov, Jigga-Man), is a Hip-Hop artist and current President and CEO of Def Jam. He has been one of the most prolific and successful American rappers of the late 1990s and early 2000s, maintaining both commercial appeal and street credibility.

In a recent MTV top ten list compiled by hip-hop critics, he was listed as the greatest MC of all time, ahead of Rakim, Nas, Tupac Shakur, Big L, and The Notorious B.I.G.

Known for his deft use of metaphor, freestyling abilities, crafty word play, and blending of street and popular hip hop, Jay-Z became one of the most respected rappers in the music industry before his retirement in 2003. He is widely admired for his ability to craft songs from memory, without the use of pen and paper.

He is one of the founders of Roc-A-Fella Records, a hip-hop record label which also launched the careers of artists such as Beanie Sigel, Kanye West, Memphis Bleek, Young Gunz, Freeway, and Teairra Mari. As of 2005, he is estimated to be worth around $320 million