Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper and former CEO of Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records. In addition, he co-owns The 40/40 Club and the New Jersey Nets NBA team. He is one of the most financially successful hip-hop artists and entrepreneurs in America. Jay-Z is the most successful example of the growing power of hip-hop. He has sold over 26 million units in the USA and 50 million copies worldwide. His critically acclaimed album The Blueprint was written in only two days. After announcing his retirement from recording music in 2003, he returned in late 2006 with the album Kingdom Come which sold 680,000 copies in its first week, Jay-Z's highest-selling album in a one-week period. The New York Times announced that Jay-Z is on the verge of a partnership with Live Nation for $150 million — among the most expensive contracts ever awarded to a musician.
