Jay-Z's Real Name: Shawn Corey Carter

Quick answer: Jay-Z's real name is Shawn Corey Carter. Biography.com and the Library of Congress both give it, and they agree he was born December 4, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York. The stage name grew out of his childhood nickname, "Jazzy." The rapper, Roc Nation founder, and husband of Beyoncé has won 25 Grammy Awards (Biography.com; Britannica).

Real name and early life

Britannica says Shawn Carter grew up in Brooklyn's Marcy Projects and was raised mainly by his mother, Gloria Carter, who sometimes worked two jobs. He began selling crack cocaine as a teenager, something he later discussed on Fresh Air in 2010. Around the same time he started writing rhymes, influenced by Run-DMC and by movies.

Biography.com says that in 1989 he recorded "The Originators" with his mentor, the rapper Jaz-O, and appeared on Yo! MTV Raps. He then took the name Jay-Z. Biography.com describes the name as a nod to Jaz-O and a play on his nickname, Jazzy. Britannica adds that it may also refer to the J and Z subway lines near Marcy.

Career highlights

Jay-Z and two friends founded Roc-A-Fella Records to release his debut album, Reasonable Doubt (1996). Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life (1998) was his first No. 1 album and first Grammy winner. The Blueprint (2001) cemented his reputation. Britannica notes that shortly after its release he pleaded guilty to assault over a 1999 nightclub stabbing and was sentenced to three years' probation. After The Black Album (2003) he announced his retirement from performing, then became president of Def Jam Recordings in 2004.

He returned with Kingdom Come (2006), founded Roc Nation in 2008, and married Beyoncé that year. The Blueprint 3 (2009) gave him "Empire State of Mind," and Watch the Throne (2011) was a collaboration with Kanye West. On 4:44 (2017) he addressed infidelity, racism, and politics. Britannica says that by 2025 his 25 Grammys were a record for a rapper until Kendrick Lamar passed him in 2026. Forbes named him hip-hop's first billionaire in 2019, according to Biography.com. Britannica reports that he played three nights at Yankee Stadium in summer 2026 and is set to headline the 2027 Super Bowl halftime show.

In 2002 he and his mother founded the Shawn Carter Foundation, which funds college scholarships.

Name notes for searchers

Shawn is his first name, Corey his middle name, and Carter his surname; he and Beyoncé recorded Everything Is Love (2018) as the Carters. Britannica notes that he wrote "Jay Z" without the hyphen in 2013 and went back to the capitalized "JAY-Z" in 2017. LOC also lists "Sean Carter" as a variant.