JAY-Z

Shawn Corey Carter, or more popularly known as Jay-Z, is a rapper, songwriter, and music entrepreneur. He is often recognized as one of the greatest rappers of all time, but one other contribution he gives the industry is discovering and supporting aspiring rappers to find their footing. He founded the record label Roc-A-Fella Records in 1995, which was responsible for releasing albums like Philadelphia Freeway and The Understanding.

Many will notice references in Jay-Z’s early music to how he grew up in the projects, specifically the Marcy House or Marcy Projects, a 1,705-apartment public housing complex in Brooklyn, New York. While the complex has the basics — electricity, water, and a roof, life there was described as challenging, and so Jay-Z had to develop his street-smart skills. This actually proved helpful as his life there became the inspiration for him to succeed. Now he owns several houses, a far cry from his childhood days.