Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969) better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper and former president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records. In addition, he co-owns The 40/40 Club and the New Jersey Nets NBA team. He is one of the most financially successful hip-hop artists and entrepreneurs in America. hop_week/2006/emcees/index11.jhtml" target="_blank">The Greatest MCs of All Time MTV. Retrieved on 2006-12-26 Known for his flow and blending of street and popular style, he can compose lyrics without the use of pen and paper. His critically acclaimed album _The Blueprint was allegedly written in only two days. After announcing his retirement from recording music in 2003, he returned 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 period. display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003465594" target="_blank">Jay-Z Reclaims His 'Kingdom' With No. 1 Debut. _Billboard.com. Retrieved on November 29 2006.

Along with Damon "Dame" Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, Jay-Z was one of the founders of Roc-A-Fella Records, a hip hop record label. Jay-Z is the richest hip hop Entertainer (followed by P.Diddy), having a net-worth estimate of $600 million.

It was announced on 2 February 2008 that Jay Z will headline Glastonbury Festival same year. and he will also headline Hove Festival in Norway June 23 2008

Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), popularly known as Jay-Z, (or by a variety of stage names including S. Carter, Iceberg, Jigga, Jay-Hova, Hova, Hov, and Young Hov) is an american hip-hop artist and former president and CEO of Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella Records. He is regarded as one of the most prolific and successful American rappers of the mid- 90s and early 20 00s . Known for his use of metaphors, freestyling abilities, word play, flow, and blending of street and popular hip hop, Jay-