![]() Once he found a reputable distributor, Priority Records (and later Def Jam), Jay-Z finally had everything in place, including a debut album, Reasonable Doubt (1996). Together with friends Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, he created Roc-a-Fella Records. Jay-Z subsequently decided to make an untraditional decision and start his own label rather than sign with an established one as Jaz had done. He also participated in the group Original Flavor for a short time. From Jaz he learned how to navigate the rap industry and what moves to make. For a while, he ran around with rapper Jaz-O, aka Big Jaz. As he vividly discusses in his lyrics, Jay-Z also became a street hustler around this time, doing what needed to be done to make money. ![]() Known as "Jazzy" in his neighborhood, he soon shortened his nickname to Jay-Z and did all he could to break into the rap game. In addition to rapping, Jay-Z has also served as a label head (Roc-A-Fella/Roc Nation/Def Jam), team owner (NBA's Brooklyn Nets), real-estate mogul, and fashion designer.īorn in 1969 and raised in the rough Marcy Projects of Brooklyn, New York, Jay-Z was raised by his mother and turned to the streets, where he made a name for himself as a fledging rapper and drug dealer. He also contributed the song "What It Feels Like" to the soundtrack of the Oscar-nominated 2021 drama Judas and The Black Messiah. In addition to his solo work, Jay-Z also found mainstream crossover success with pop, R&B, and rock artists, notably collaborating with protege Rihanna on their Grammy-winning "Umbrella" (2008) alternative metal outfit Linkin Park on 2004's genre mash-up Collision Course Alicia Keys on New York City's unofficial anthem, the chart-topping "Empire State of Mind" (2011) frequent foil Kanye West on Watch the Throne (2012) and wife Beyoncé on numerous hit singles, international tours, and the joint album Everything Is Love (2018). After debuting in the late '90s with Reasonable Doubt and In My Lifetime, Vol 1, he began a chart run that notched over a dozen number one albums spread over two decades, including the multi-platinum, Grammy-winning Vol. Live rap records are extraordinarily rare, and usually undone by poor mixing and/or sloppy delivery, but this one is just about perfect - stellar musicianship, flawless lyricism, and good vibes all around.From the projects to the throne, New York rapper, producer, and entrepreneur Jay-Z embodied the quintessential rags-to-riches dream, becoming one of the most successful MCs of his generation while creating an empire that made him one of the richest artists of the era. Blige practically steals the show on the Reasonable Doubt-era gem "Can't Knock The Hustle." This album is a must-have for any fan of Jay-Z or the Roots, but is also an excellent choice for casual listeners who may be apprehensive about hip-hop or unfamiliar with the artists. II" and "Oochie Wally" just to drive the anti-Queens point home), and the reflective, tearjerker favorite "Song Cry." Philly chanteuse Jaguar Wright provides strong backing vocals throughout, and Mary J. ![]() There's really not a bad track on here, though standouts include the Nas-dissing "Takeover" (which features some dope interpolations of "Shook Ones Pt. Unplugged is all about the hits, loaded from start to finish with some of the best and most beloved songs from Jay's first six albums. Crack shot musical accompaniment by the Roots doesn't hurt either, and together we get one of hip-hop's most pleasant surprises of 2001. Very few MCs could pull this off successfully, but then Jay-Z is not your average rapper. ![]()
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