JAY-Z

Co-Founder

Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter has been a distinguished figure in pop culture since the 1996 release of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt. A legendary artist, producer, and notoriously ambitious businessman, JAY-Z has founded multiple companies, including Roc Nation. Throughout his historic rise to international success, JAY-Z forged impactful relationships with global investment leaders, such as Warren Buffett, notable professional athletes, and many of the most recognizable names in the film and entertainment industry.

Born on December 4, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York, JAY-Z worked diligently to pursue and establish his music career, personifying the “American Dream” in becoming the highly-regarded music mogul he is today. JAY-Z’s achievements have made history on numerous occasions; he was the first hip-hop artist inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, as well as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, in 2017 and 2021, respectively. Among his many accolades, JAY-Z has won 25 GRAMMY Awards, 21 BET Hip-Hop Awards, nine BET Awards, six Billboard Awards, three American Music Awards, and two Emmy Awards. He co-produced the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Fela!, and was the recipient of the 2024 Dr. Dre Global Impact Award for his influence on hip-hop music and culture. In 2025, Reasonable Doubt was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame.

JAY-Z has amassed a vast portfolio of work in the years leading up to and following his inaugural album. In 1994, he created his own record label, Roc-A-Fella, through which he released his first two albums. He established Rocawear in 1999, an apparel brand he later sold the rights to in 2007, and stepped into an executive leadership role as President of Def Jam Recordings from 2004 to 2007. He is a co-owner of The 40/40 Club, which he co-founded in 2003 with business partners Juan Perez, President of Roc Nation Sports, and Roc Nation’s CEO, Desiree Perez. In 2012, JAY-Z coordinated and hosted the successful “Made In America” festival. The following year, JAY-Z launched Roc Nation Sports, a division of Roc Nation with a client roster that includes NBA All-Star and 2021 Rookie of the Year, LaMelo Ball, and MLB All-Star Seattle Mariners second baseman, Robinson Canó, in addition to other elite athletes.

JAY-Z acquired the luxury spirits brand Armand De Brignac and founded the clothing line Paper Planes in 2014. He became a co-owner of the streaming service TIDAL in 2015, and in 2018, helped create Marcy Venture Partners, a venture capital firm.

An advocate and philanthropist, JAY-Z actively champions positive impact in underserved communities through initiatives made by Roc Nation’s charitable division, Team Roc, and his work with nonprofit organizations. Alongside his mother, Dr. Gloria Carter, JAY-Z established the Shawn Carter Foundation in 2002, which is dedicated to helping individuals facing socio-economic hardships further their education, encouraging them to tap into their potential. Since the foundation launched, Shawn Carter Scholars are studying at over 100 higher education institutions throughout the nation. JAY-Z is a founding member of REFORM Alliance and sits on the Advisory Board of United Justice Coalition, both of which aim to raise awareness of social and racial injustice while advancing criminal justice reform.