Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), better known as Jay-Z, is an American rapper and current president and CEO of Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella Records. In addition, he co-owns The 40/40 Club, and is a part owner of the New Jersey Nets NBA team. He has been one of the most successful American hip-hop artists of the past decade, and is widley acknowleged as one of the best rappers ever. Jay-Z is currently dating Beyonce.

Known for his flow and blending of street and popular rap, Jay-Z had become one of the best-selling rappers in the hip hop industry. He is admired for his ability to write lyrics without the use of pen and paper (he claims his critically acclaimed album The Blueprint was written in only two days). He also returned from retirement in late 2006 with the album Kingdom Come which sold 680,000 copies in its first week, Jay-Z's highest-selling album in a one-week periods.