Take a Look Back on JAY-Z's Rise to Fame as the Mogul Turns 53

JAY-Z's Early Years

Shawn Corey Carter, professionally known as JAY-Z, was born on Dec. 4, 1969, in New York City.

From humble beginnings — growing up in Marcy Projects in Brooklyn — to becoming the first hip-hop artist to amass a billion-dollar fortune, JAY-Z has become a titan in the music industry and a highly successful investor across many fields: liquor, art, real estate, fashion and companies like Uber.

In honor of his birthday, take a look back at some of the artist's biggest moments that got him to where he is today.

JAY-Z in the '90s

JAY-Z co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records in 1995 with Damon "Dame" Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke.

JAY-Z on MTV

The rapper performed with The Roots on MTV Unplugged at MTV studios in N.Y.C. in 2001.

JAY-Z's S. Carter Shoe Collection

Hov and Memphis Bleek hung during the Jay Z Brings S. Carter Shoe Collection Home to N.Y.C. at Foot Locker in 2003.

JAY-Z and Naomi Campbell

Supermodel Naomi Campbell made a cameo in Jay's "Change Clothes" video, which was the first single off of his classic: The Black Album.

JAY-Z and Damon Dash

Dame and Hov posed during the opening of Jay Z's 40/40 Club in 2003 in N.Y.C.

JAY-Z's Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund

Dame Dash and Carter posed with Afeni Shakur, mother of Tupac Shakur, and Voletta Wallace, mother of the Notorious B.I.G., as they presented them with donations from the Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund, which was founded in 2003 by JAY-Z and his mother, Gloria Carter.

JAY-Z's 40/40 Club

The star received the key to Atlantic City, New Jersey, as he celebrated the grand opening of the 40/40 Club in A.C. in 2005.

JAY-Z and the Brooklyn Nets

Jay spoke at a news conference to announce a successful bid by President and CEO of Forest City Ratner Companies Bruce Ratner and his investment team to buy the Nets basketball team in 2004.

JAY-Z and Alicia Keys

Fresh off of their monster hit "Empire State of Mind" hitting the top of the charts, Jay and Alicia Keys performed the New York anthem during game two of the 2009 MLB World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 29, 2009.

JAY-Z in Brooklyn

By March 2010, Carter, Bruce Ratner, New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, New York State Governor David Paterson, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Delia Hunley-Adossa got together during the ceremonial groundbreaking for Barclays Center at Atlantic Yards on March 11, 2010, in N.Y.C.

JAY-Z Performing in 2012

The businessman and philanthropist performed at Carnegie Hall to benefit the United Way of New York City and the Shawn Carter Foundation on Feb. 7, 2012, in N.Y.C.

JAY-Z Unveils Tidal

Usher, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Madonna, Deadmau5, Kanye West and J. Cole gathered onstage with Carter as he unveiled his new music streaming service, Tidal, at Skylight at Moynihan Station on March 30, 2015, in N.Y.C.

JAY-Z and Roc Nation

Carter signed artist Romeo Santos to his Roc Nation Management roster on June 8, 2016.

JAY-Z with Beyoncé and Hillary Clinton

Beyoncé and Jay performed at a concert for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Nov. 4, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.

JAY-Z on SNL

The rapper appeared on Saturday Night Live, alongside host Ryan Gosling, in September 2017.

JAY-Z Winning a Grammy

On the eve of the 60th annual Grammy Awards in 2018, Hov was presented with the Industry Icon award during the traditional Clive Davis party.

JAY-Z and Beyoncé's On the Run Tour

The father of three and wife Beyoncé shared a kiss during their joint On the Run II tour at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 2, 2018, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

JAY-Z and The Reform Alliance

The rapper was joined by Robert Kraft, Michael Rubin, Meek Mill, Michael Novogratz, Clara Wu Tsai, Dan Loeb and Van Jones at the launch of The Reform Alliance — an organization that works to reduce the number of people unjustly wrapped up in the criminal justice system — at John Jay College on Jan. 23, 2019 in N.Y.C.

JAY-Z and Diddy

The living legend hung with his A-list pals Diddy, Usher, Swizz Beatz and more at his annual Roc Nation pre-Grammys brunch on Feb. 9, 2019, in L.A.

JAY-Z at the NAACP Image Awards

The music mogul accepted the prestigious President's Award on stage at the 50th NAACP Image Awards at the Dolby Theatre on March 30, 2019, in Hollywood.

JAY-Z and the NFL

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Jay were in good spirits at the Roc Nation and NFL partnership announcement at Roc Nation on Aug. 14, 2019, in N.Y.C.

JAY-Z Is Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In late 2021, JAY-Z achieved one of music's highest honors as he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, becoming the first living solo rap artist to earn the accolade.

"Growing up, we didn't think we could be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We were told that hip-hop was a fad," he began his speech. "Much like punk rock, it gave us this anti-culture, this subgenre, and there were heroes in it."

"Hopefully, I'm informing the next generation that anything is possible. I don't know what's next ... but you know, tonight, we're going to enjoy tonight. I appreciate this honor. We did it, Brooklyn!" the father of three concluded.