Early Life
Shawn Corey Carter was born on December 4, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York City. Raised in the Marcy Houses, a public housing project, he was primarily raised by his mother, Gloria Carter, after his father, Adnis Reeves, abandoned the family when Jay-Z was eleven years old. His early life in the Marcy Projects was marked by exposure to drugs, violence, and poverty, which later influenced his music. He attended Eli Whitney High School and George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School in Brooklyn, as well as Trenton Central High School in Trenton, New Jersey, but did not graduate.
Rise to Success
Jay-Z began his music career in the late 1980s, mentored by rapper Jaz-O. He adopted the stage name Jay-Z, as an homage to his mentor Jaz-O, a reference to his childhood nickname and the J/Z subway lines near his home. He gained recognition with appearances on Jaz-O's early recordings and on Big Daddy Kane's 1994 album, *Daddy's Home*. In 1994, he co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records to release his debut album, *Reasonable Doubt* (1996), which was critically acclaimed. His subsequent albums consistently topped the charts, including *The Blueprint* (2001), *The Black Album* (2003), *American Gangster* (2007), and *4:44* (2017). Jay-Z has 14 number-one albums, tied with Drake for the second-most for a solo artist.
Key Business Strategies
Jay-Z's business acumen has been a key factor in his success. He founded Roc Nation in 2008, an entertainment company that expanded into record label, talent agency, media production, and philanthropy. He strategically invested in various ventures, including the champagne brand Armand de Brignac (Ace of Spades), in which he later sold a 50% stake to LVMH. He also held a significant stake in the cognac brand D'Usse, and sold the majority stake to Bacardi. Additionally, he invested in tech companies such as Uber and Block. His partnership with Live Nation extended his reach in touring and entertainment.
Philanthropy
Jay-Z has been involved in various philanthropic initiatives, including the Shawn Carter Foundation, which provides scholarships and supports various programs. He has also used his platform to advocate for social justice issues, particularly through Roc Nation's social justice arm, Team Roc. Further details on specific amounts were not found in the search results.