Jacquelyn Jordan/ Logan Duvall

Mrs. Field

LNG 221

April 28, 2011

Shawn Carter (Jay-Z) was born on December 4, 1970 in Brooklyn, New York. Jay-Z grew up in

Marcy Homes, a low-income housing project. His dad left him when he was twelve. His neighborhood

nick named him “Jazzy.” Which later on in his life was changed into “Jay-Z.” He sold drugs such as

cocaine to make some money.

He went to Eli Whitney High School until it closed down. After that he went to George

Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School. The third high school he went to was

Trenton Central High School. Jay-Z did not graduate from high school.

Jay-Z accomplished many things during his rapping career. He released nine albums in eight

years. He made a gold certified single with Foxy Brown in 1996. Jay-Z wanted to transform the hip-hop

scene. He wanted to stop all the fighting and violence involved in rapping. He wanted people to stop

fighting with guns but with words.

He was influenced by Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway. He rapped about all the things that

went on in his life. He talks about selling drugs as a teen. He also raps about his dad leaving him. Damon

Dash was a good influence because without Damon Jay-Z wouldn’t have the career he has today. Damon

was the one who got him started in the musical career.