The Evolution of Jay Z

The rap god celebrates his 44th birthday!

Jay-Z on assuming daddy duty  - “Of course, of course [I'll change my baby's diapers].” (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)

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The Evolution of Jay Z - If you're a true Jay Z fan, you already know that today, Dec. 4, is Sean Carter's born day, thanks to the opener of The Black Album. But even if you aren't (wait — you aren't?), it's impossible to front on Hov's contributions to hip hop over his 44 years on the planet. It's hard to argue with 11 No. 1 albums—that's more than Elvis — and 50 million records sold worldwide. On top of all that, as a record exec — one worth nearly half a billi — he's helped usher in amazing artists like Kanye West, Rihanna and J. Cole. And let's just say his arm-candy game, whether he's escorting his wife or carrying his new baby, is top-notch as well. Click on to see the evolution of Jay Z, from the streets of Bed-Stuy to the top of the world. — Alex Gale (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)

Say Hello  - Born Shawn Corey Carter on Dec. 4, 1969, Jay was raised in the Marcy housing project in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He had a rough childhood by any measure: He was abandoned by his father, shot his brother in the shoulder for stealing his jewelry in 1982, and was heavily involved in drug dealing.  (Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)

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Say Hello - Born Shawn Corey Carter on Dec. 4, 1969, Jay was raised in the Marcy housing project in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He had a rough childhood by any measure: He was abandoned by his father, shot his brother in the shoulder for stealing his jewelry in 1982, and was heavily involved in drug dealing. (Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)

Jay-Z - Looking at this picture is like looking at your high school yearbook—the only thing you can think is how much things have changed. Here we have arguably the greatest rapper in history on stage at the Soul Train Awards wearing an All-Star football jersey with bling at that. Now look at him in the present—suit wearing, father-to-be and successful business owner. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Allow Me to Introduce Myself - With that extra-dope Biggie collabo in his back pocket — not to mention help from Mary J. Blige and Foxy Brown (on hit singles "Can't Knock the Hustle" and "Ain't No N---a") — Jay introduced himself via his classic debut album, 1996's platinum-selling Reasonable Doubt. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Roc-A-Fella - Roc-A-Fella collapsed in 2005 amid distrust between Damon Dash and Jay-Z, who dissed each other in interviews and on wax  — Dash had the Dipset on his side — for years afterwards.  (Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect)

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Roc Boys - Reasonable Doubt was released via Roc-A-Fella Records, which Jay started in 1995 with Damon Dash and Kareem Biggs when no major label would sign him. Bankrolled by Jay's success, the label would go on to sign acts like Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel, and Kanye West. Dash, Biggs and Jay later launched Rocawear, one of the most successful urban clothing brands of all time. (Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect)

Jean Outfits - Even though jean jackets never seem to go out of style, the time we rocked a head-to-toe denim outfit seems to have passed. Check out Jay-Z throwing up the Roc-a-fella sign in his at the 15th Annual Soul Train Awards at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. (Photo:  SGranitz/WireImage)

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Breakout Star - Jay released another dope platinum LP, In My Lifetime...Vol. 1, in 1997, but his true mainstream breakthrough arrived the following year with "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)." The Annie-sampling smash led Jay to his first No. 1 album, with Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life.  (Photo: SGranitz/WireImage)

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Jay-Z, The Blueprint\r - Despite dropping on September 11, 2011, Jay's back-to-basics classic The Blueprint pushed almost 500,000 copies its first week and introduced us to mean-mug classics like "U Don't Know" and "Takeover."  \r\rU.S. Sales to Date: 2,608,000 \r\r(Photo: Roc-A-Fella Records)\r 

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Game Changer - Jay released yet another No. 1 album, The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, in 2000. But it was the next year that he truly confirmed his status as one of the best to ever do it, by releasing The Blueprint. Packed with introspective verses and soulful production from then newcomers Just Blaze and Kanye West, the album, arguably Jay's best, hit No. 1 despite dropping on Sept. 11, 2011.

United Front - Jay-Z came out to support former enemy Nas on his 38th birthday. The celeb-filled bash was held at NYC's Catch on September 14. (Photo: Jerritt Clark/WireImage)

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Battle of the Titans - One of the standout cuts from The Blueprint was "Takeover," on which Jay took shots at Mobb Deep and Nas. The song led to a bitter war with Nas, who responded with the scathing "Ether." Jay stumbled when he released the less-dope, way-too-personal "Supa Ugly" in response, and later apologized. The two eventually reconciled, and Jay even signed Nas in 2006 when he was president of Def Jam. (Photo: Jerritt Clark/WireImage)

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From Marcy to Madison Square - After The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse (yet another No. 1 of course), Jay announced he was releasing one more album and then retiring. His purported swan song, 2003's The Black Album, was simply fantastic, boasting classics like "Encore," "99 Problems," and "Dirt Off Your Shoulder," and selling 3 million copies in the U.S. alone. Jay said good-bye — for now — with an unforgettable concert at Madison Square Garden, and a film documenting it, Fade to Black. (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Def Jam Princess - By 16 years old, Rihanna had auditioned for then Def Jam president Jay Z, who quickly signed her to a six-album recording contract. With her first single, "Pon de Replay," she almost immediately became a global household name — the song charted in the Top 5 in 15 countries around the world.(Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS)

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The Carter Administration - Most folks move to Florida to play bridge when they retire. Not Jay. He became president of Def Jam, splitting with his partners Dash and Riggs, and selling the Roc-A-Fella imprint to his new employer. During his three-year tenure he signed Rihanna and helped launch the careers of Kanye West and Ne-Yo. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS)

Photo By Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS

Jay-Z, Kingdom Come - After a three-year retirement, Hov's comeback album left some fans and critics disappointed, but with yet another No. 1 debut, it proved he could still run things on the charts.U.S. Sales to Date: 1,510,000 (Photo: Roc-A-Fella Records)

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The Ruler's Back - "Can't leave rap alone the game need me," Jigga rapped on 2001's "Izzo," and he proved it true in 2006 when he cut short his pseudo-retirement with Kingdom Come. Like clockwork, the album hit No. 1, though many critics and long-time fans thought that it showed Jay had lost a step.

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Beyoncé and Jay-Z’ s statement about the birth of their daughter  - “Hello Baby Blue! We are happy to announce the arrival of our beautiful daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, born on Saturday, January 7, 2012. Her birth was emotional and extremely peaceful, we are in heaven.” (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

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Power Couple - After years of keeping their relationship a secret, Jay Z and Beyoncé tied the knot in 2008. Forbes named them Hollywood's top-earning couple (and eventually, the first pop music couple to break a billion). (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Jay-Z Knocks Obama on Unemployment Rate  - Having long been a supporter of President Obama, Jay took a sobering look at the prez when saying about the high unemployment rate: “Numbers don't lie. Unemployment is pretty high. It's f----d up, but he's trying not to be the angry Black man."(Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

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A Business, Man - In 2009, two years after after releasing the underrated American Gangster (well, as underrated as a No. 1 album can be), Jay announced he was leaving Def Jam and starting Roc Nation, his own record label, talent/management agency and music publishing company. The imprint has signed emerging stars like J. Cole, Jay Electronica and Willow Smith. Roc Nation joined Jay's 40/40 sports bar franchise, his part ownership of the New Jersey Nets and several other ventures as part of the rapper-turned-entrepreneur's growing business empire. (Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Jay-Z Wins Award - Jay-Z is the best rapper in the world, according to the American Music Awards.  Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) also won rap album of the year with Blueprint 3.

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New King - Jay truly returned to form with 2009's The Blueprint 3. Not only did it beat Elvis' record for most No. 1 albums by a solo artist, but it included the anthemic "Empire State of Mind," featuring Alicia Keys, Hov's biggest hit thus far and his first to top Billboard's Hot 100.

In My Lifetime - In 2010, Jay added author to his growing résumé with Decoded. The book broke down the lyrics of some of Jay's best songs, giving a revealing look at his life, his upbringing, and his philosophies along the way.

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In My Lifetime - In 2010, Jay added author to his growing résumé with Decoded. The book broke down the lyrics of some of Jay's best songs, giving a revealing look at his life, his upbringing, and his philosophies along the way.

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Ruling Party - Hov continued his astonishing run when he teamed up with his former protégé turned superstar-in-his-own-right Kanye West to release the conversation-dominating Watch the Throne. With instant classics like "Otis" and "N---as in Paris" as ammunition, the pair pushed the album with a hugely successful world tour. (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com)

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Blue Magic - Rapper, businessman, author—and now father. Jay Z and Beyoncé welcomed their first child, Blue Ivy, into the world on Jan. 7, 2012.  (Photo: courtesy Tumblr)

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Blue Magic - Rapper, businessman, author—and now father. Jay Z and Beyoncé welcomed their first child, Blue Ivy, into the world on Jan. 7, 2012. (Photo: courtesy Tumblr)

Amazing Music Documentaries - Brooklyn keeps on taking it. Yesterday, Dec. 4, Jay celebrated his birthday by releasing a 24-minute documentary that takes a look at his eight-show run at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, which he co-owns. He's seen performing, walking the arena, and even taking the subway to the arena before the last show. Here, in light of Hov's latest win, BET.com takes a look at some incredible music documentaries. Lights, camera, action. —Alex Gale(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

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Hello Brooklyn - Jay became part owner of the then New Jersey Nets in 2002, and his investment came full circle in September 2011, when Jay Z christened the Nets' new stadium in Brooklyn, the Barclays Center, with eight sold-out shows. Hov has become a prominent presence on the sidelines at home games. "The city is under new management," he tweeted after watching the Nets defeat their cross-town rivals, the New York Knicks, two months after the arena opened. (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Jay-Z - For men, there's no breaking through the bond of the bromance, the long-lasting friendship that can stand the test of time. For President Obama, there are a number of famous friends who have been by his side through thick and thin. — Britt Middleton  One of hip hop's most prolific talents and the leader of the free world: it's a match made in bromance heaven. Jay-Z held a number of fundraisers for Obama during his re-election campaign (plus, wife Beyoncé performed at Obama's second inauguration). This week, Hov told a New York radio station that he "has spoken to him on the phone and had texts from Obama." However, it's unlikely that they correspond regularly given that only a select few White House staffers have access to Obama's private number. (Photo: REUTERS/Jason Reed)

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New World Order - In 2012 when President Barack Obama needed to make a final push to secure a second term, he called on one of the most powerful voices in the nation, Jay Z. Hov joined Obama at an campaign rally in Columbus, Ohio a day before the election to help drive the president's messgae home. (Photo: REUTERS /JASON REED /LANDOV)

Album of the Year: Jay Z – Magna Carta Holy Grail - Jay Z didn't just shake up the world with his new age marketing scheme for the release of Magna Carta Holy Grail but he delivered one of the most introspective and sophisticated albums of his career. (Photo: RocNation)

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New Rules - Being a game changer has been what Jay Z has been about his entire care. The hip hop mogul proved his business acumen once again when he released the critically-acclaimed album, Magna Carta Holy Grail, this past July. Through a first of its kind partnership with Samsung, the album was free to the first 1 million Samsung users who download it to their phones. The LP rapidly hit platinum sales and was the 13th No. 1 of the rapper's career. (Photo: RocNation)

Photo By Photo: RocNation

Jay Z Meets With Mets Officials on Behalf of Cano - Jay Z, Robinson Cano’s agent, had a “preliminary meeting” with top New York Mets officials on Nov. 18 to discuss Cano’s future. Cano is a free agent who is currently seeking a 10-year contract for more than $300 million from the Yankees.  In the past Sandy Alderson, general manager of the Mets, said they had no intention of signing a contract in the $100 million range (Photos from left: Alo Ceballos/FilmMagic, Elsa/Getty Images)

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Super Agent - Having asserted his dominance in music, Jay Z tossed his hat in a new arena in 2013. Jay gave up his ownership in the Brooklyn Nets to start a career as a sports agent. The mogul opened Roc Nation Sports by signing star athletes like Robinson Cano and Kevin Durant.(Photos from left: Alo Ceballos/FilmMagic, Elsa/Getty Images)