Hip-hop’s first billionaire, Shawn “Jay Z” Carter, turns 51 today. With a career spanning almost three decades, the Brooklyn rapper’s influence in one of the most popular music genres in the world can never be overestimated.
A towering presence in rap, Jigga has influenced countless mainstream rappers over the years, and he’s regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time.
With a host of numerous and uncountable accomplishments, Hov, as he’s also known, is one of the world’s best-selling music artistes with over 100 million records sold. Alongside Kanye West, he also holds the record for the most Grammys won by a rapper, and he became the first rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
To celebrate his birthday, Face2Face Africa shares with you 15 of his greatest hits. Take a look at them in no particular order.
99 Problems
Brooklyn’s Finest feat. The Notorious B.I.G.
Girls, Girls, Girls
Money, Cash, Hoes feat. DMX
4:44
Public Service Announcement
I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)
Dead Presidents II
Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)…
Song Cry
Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)
Big Pimpin’ feat. UGK
Dirt Off Your Shoulder
Excuse me Miss feat. Pharrell Williams
Izzo (H.O.V.A.)
