Artist Factfile

Jay-Z

Shawn Corey Carter, better known as Jay-Z, has been named the "greatest MC Of All Time". He retired in 2003 but returned with a new album, Kingdom Come, in late 2006.

From:

Brooklyn, New York, USA

It All Began…

With his debut album Reasonable Doubt

Awards:

5 Grammys

When Not Making Music:

President and CEO of Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella Records, co-owns The 40/40 Club, and part owns the New Jersey Nets NBA team.

Mad But True:

Creates lyrics without pen and paper relying on his memory

Did You Know?

He used to be known as Jazzy and this developed into his stage name Jay-Z

Big Track:

Hard Knock Life