Jay-Z Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth & Biography

Jay-Z is 56 years old. Born Shawn Corey Carter on December 4, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York, the American rapper, songwriter and entrepreneur is one of the most successful and influential figures in hip-hop history. He rose from the Marcy Houses housing project to build a career spanning classic albums such as Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint, a global business empire and, in 2019, a place as the first rapper to become a billionaire. He has been married to singer Beyoncé since 2008, and the couple have three children.

Jay-Z Quick Facts

Full Name	Shawn Corey Carter
Date of Birth	December 4, 1969
Age	56
Birthplace	Brooklyn, New York City, USA
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Partner	Beyoncé (wife; married 2008)
Children	3
Occupation	Rapper, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur
Net Worth	Approx. $2.5 billion (Forbes, 2025)
Known For	Reasonable Doubt; The Blueprint; Roc Nation; “99 Problems”

Who Is Jay-Z?

Jay-Z is an American rapper and businessman whose career has set the template for turning musical success into lasting wealth and influence. Across more than two dozen years at the top, he has released a string of acclaimed albums, won 24 Grammy Awards and become a central voice in American culture, known for sharp, literate lyrics about ambition, business and life in Brooklyn.

Beyond the microphone, he is the founder of Roc Nation and a major investor in drinks, streaming, sport and fashion. Like Mark Wahlberg, who also built a business portfolio far beyond his first career, Jay-Z treated his name as a brand from the start, and his deals have often been as closely watched as his albums.

Jay-Z’s Early Life & Background

Jay-Z was born on December 4, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in the Marcy Houses public housing project in Bedford-Stuyvesant. He was raised largely by his mother, Gloria Carter, after his father left the family when Jay-Z was a child. He attended several schools in Brooklyn, including George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School, where his classmates included future stars such as Busta Rhymes and the Notorious B.I.G.

As a teenager he was drawn into street life, an experience he later described frankly in his music. He also found an outlet in rap, honing his skills in freestyle battles and working with his mentor Jaz-O. When major labels showed little interest, he decided to release his own music, a move that would define his independent, business-first approach for the rest of his career.

Jay-Z’s Career

In 1995 Jay-Z co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records with Damon Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke, releasing his debut album, Reasonable Doubt, the following year. The record is now regarded as a classic, and he followed it with a run of hits including Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life (1998) and The Blueprint (2001), released on September 11, 2001. After announcing his retirement with The Black Album in 2003, he returned as president of Def Jam Recordings and, later, with albums including American Gangster (2007) and the deeply personal 4:44 (2017).

His business career has been just as significant. He founded Roc Nation in 2008, invested in the streaming service Tidal, and built stakes in champagne brand Armand de Brignac and cognac brand D’Ussé. Forbes named him hip-hop’s first billionaire in 2019, and his fortune continued to grow in the years that followed. The model he created — artist as owner, not just performer — has been followed by a generation of stars, including Travis Scott, who has built his own Cactus Jack label and brand empire.

Facts About Jay-Z

• He took his stage name from his childhood nickname “Jazzy,” with a nod to his early mentor, Jaz-O.
• He released his debut album on his own label after major record companies turned him down.
• The Blueprint was released on September 11, 2001, and still sold more than 400,000 copies in its first week.
• Forbes named him the first billionaire in hip-hop history in 2019.
• He and Beyoncé have three children: Blue Ivy, Rumi and Sir Carter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Jay-Z?

Jay-Z is 56 years old. He was born on December 4, 1969.

How tall is Jay-Z?

Jay-Z is 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) tall.

Who is Jay-Z’s wife?

Jay-Z’s wife is Beyoncé. The couple married in 2008 and have three children together.

What is Jay-Z’s net worth?

Jay-Z’s net worth is approx. $2.5 billion, according to Forbes (2025).

When is Jay-Z’s birthday?

Jay-Z’s birthday is December 4. He was born on December 4, 1969.

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