Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter is an American rapper, businessman, and record executive born December 4, 1969. Rising from Brooklyn's projects, he became one of hip-hop's most influential figures since his 1996 debut "Reasonable Doubt." With 25 Grammy Awards and multiple #1 albums, he's also a successful entrepreneur, founding Roc Nation and various business ventures. Married to Beyoncé, he was the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.