Jay-Z, born Shawn Corey Carter, is an American rapper, businessman, and record executive. He is recognized for his influence on East Coast hip-hop and is known for his intricate lyrics that often feature wordplay and double meanings. He has achieved significant commercial and critical success, with Billboard and Vibe naming him the greatest rapper of all time in 2023. Forbes has reported that Jay-Z is the wealthiest music artist in history, with an estimated net worth of $2.8 billion as of 2026.